Airbag light on 2003 Ford Escape

[jsfinn]

Hello -

The airbag light on my 2003 Ford Escape with about 80,000 miles started to turn on intermittently. After I start the car, the light turns off (as normal) and then after maybe 5 or 10 minutes of driving, the light will sometimes come on. Sometimes it will turn back off, sometimes it won't. Sometimes it'll look like it's flashing for a few seconds, but I think it's really just the light coming on and off because it'll either stay on or off after that.

I took it to the auto parts store yesterday and to borrow their scanner. Of course, the light was off while I had the scanner attached and there were no codes to be read.

Any suggestions on what I should check to fix this?

Thanks!

 

[jakebrake]

Re: Airbag light on 2003 Ford Escape

i'm not 100% sure an obd scanner will pick that one up. the flashing staement says there may be an issue. check and see of ford has a recall or service update for that vehicle. if so, get that car to a dealer yesterday!
if it flashes, it will be very deliberate. if it flickers, i'd bet it's a sensor in the front end. dirt crud and corruption can cause a litany of issues with them

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Airbag light on 2003 Ford Escape

Most generic OBDII scanners will not scan Airbag codes.
If it is flashing, look for a sequence. 1 flash, 3 quick flashes for example.

Just an FYI,
Anytime your Airbag or SIR light is on, The system is disabled. It will not deploy in the event of an accident. It may not cost that much, but I would run it down to the dealer and have them scan the SIR system

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Airbag light on 2003 Ford Escape

Thanks, everyone. I dropped it off at the dealer this morning. I didn't feel good driving the car with degraded safety devices.

Of course, the light wouldn't turn on for the service guy - but they can tinker with it later and figure out what's wrong.