2000 Ford F150 Owner's Manual - Page 116

Seating and safety restraints Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation. If the air bag has deployed, the air bag will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision. The SRS consists of: • driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and air bags), • one or more impact and safing sensors, passenger air bag deactivation switch and diagnostic monitor (RCM) • a readiness light and tone, • and the electrical wiring which connects the components. The RCM (restraints control module) monitors its own internal circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the passenger air bag deactivation switch, the impact sensors, the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air bag back up power and the air bag ignitors). Determining if the system is operational The SRS uses readiness lights in the instrument cluster and the passenger air bag deactivate switch or a tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Air bag readiness section in the Instrumentation chapter or Passenger air bag deactivate switch section in this chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not required. A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: • The readiness lights will either flash or stay lit. • The readiness lights will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on. • A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired. 116