928 at last

OK.
I've been under the console for a while now........only one connector, The one with the orange tag attached (passenger side) has identifieable color coding from the WSM 1990 wiring diagram. And, this isn't the connector that I'm apparently looking for. It relates to other stuff. The one I need to find is the (3 0.5 RE/BL / 1 0.5 YE/ 2 0.5 WT/RE) through WH 84. None of the connectors I've dug out have this color combination or anything close. Does anyone know what the wiring color coding might be for the passenger side crash sensor? I'm lost here.

Mrmerlin

send a PM to Alan hes the best for elex questions

Ed Scherer

Are you just looking for the connector for the crash sensor so you can clean it? The crash sensors are really high up, and so are the related connectors, which you can find pretty easily once you've located the crash sensors. Getting to the passenger side sensor and connector requires removal of the LH and EZK units.

Some previous threads on this topic:

• Fixing a nuisance air bag system fault 3129/3229
• Air bag fault warning
• Air bag sensor removed - any way to test it?
• Pass. Airbag sensor removed-can I test it?
• '91 GT Pass. Airbag sensor UPDATE

Here is a photo of the crash sensor on the driver's side (I don't have photos of the passenger side, sorry):



And the associated connector is hiding above this bracket:



Related diagram from the WSM:




Make darn sure you disconnect the ground strap on your battery for at least 15 minutes before you work on this stuff!



Edit: here's a photo showing the passenger (right) side crash sensor and the related connector.

928 at last

Sorry Mrmerlin,........

Alan who?

I'm pretty new here. Been sorting though things on my own as much as possible since May.....

So far, ...so good. But his one's got me stumped.

I just love compulsive teutonic over-engineering.....

928 at last

Thanks Ed!
My problem (IMHO) is that what I'm looking at in the 1990 wiring diagram as far as the color coding goes, there's only one connector that's showing the right coding. If it's all up way higher than I'm looking, that could be the problem. I've got a high resistance issue with the passenger side sensor, and I assume that it's a bad conection or a pinched wire, but the trick (as I'm sure you know) is where to start tracing and looking. From the passenger side console , there's a number of connectors, but only one that has identifieable coding. If the sensors are connected somewhere up under the dash, I'd love to get a pic or diagram of where that is. Rummaged around pretty thoroughly at the air bag control unit, and not found the appropriate color coding in any of the harnesses.

And yes, I'm aware of the nasty side of air bag deloyment, and I'm disconnecting the battery and waiting for a while before I mess around in there... ;-}

Ed Scherer

I wouldn't bother tracing anything from the air bag control unit; just find the crash sensor (it looks identical to the driver's side one that I posted earlier) and the connector will be clipped to a bracket nearby. You can trace the wire from the crash sensor to the connector; I think it's pretty short (under a foot long, as I recall).

I wish I had a photo of the passenger side crash sensor and connector. I remember looking at it within the last year when I was working on something else (don't remember what) and had my LH and EZK units out. Just didn't have the camera nearby, I guess. I'll get it next time.

I'd bet real money (or even beer) that you'll fix the problem by just disconnecting the connector and cleaning the contacts. I'm aware of at least 4 people who have had the same problem and this fixed it for all of them. I've never heard of anyone with a failed crash sensor (not that it has never happened, I've just never heard of one. )

And please come back and tell us how things worked out, one way or another.

It'll be another data point on this issue.

Alan

I think Ed has covered everything you need to know here...

The colors in the wiring diagrams are almost always correct...

Alan

928 at last

Thanks for all the help guys!
Found the sensor, checked the connector, discovered the multimeter I borrowed was crap. However, gathering by the threads you were nice enough to direct me to, the readings are probably fine. Cleaned the connections as best I could and put it all back together. Nice part was I didn't have to unbolt the LZ and EZK units to get the connector of it's mount. Still showing the warning lights on the dash....I'll update the post when I get it all reset. Just in case, where can I find DeoxIT??.

928 at last

Success!!!
Thanks again for all the help!
Just to make sure (and to avoid any "I Told You So"s), I tracked down the local distributor of Deoxit and picked up both the Deoxit and Deoxit Gold. Opened it back up, followed the instructions, wash/rinse/repeat and then finish with the Gold to seal and preserve.
Had my friendly local wrench reset the error code and check the diagnostics this morning and there are no issues with the system. It's weird that these connectors can look new and still trip the warning. Mine had no visual evidence of any oxidation or contamination.
Even better, I got the Christmas Tree off of my dash! (Recently re&re'd the PSD system too)!