1996 Lincoln Continental Owner's Manual - Page 28

/!\ WARNING If the air bag is inflated, 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. To ensure that the air bag system will operate as intended in a crash, the system is equipped with a diagnostic module, which controls a readiness lamp and a warning tone. The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits, the air bag electrical system, the air bag readiness light, the air bag power, and the air bag inflators. The air bag system uses a readiness light on the instrument cluster and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off. 24 This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE: Maintenance of the air bag system is not required. AIR BAG A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: the readiness light will either flash or stay lit, or it will not light immediately after ignition is turned on, or a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.