How to Turn Off an Airbag in Ford Focus
by Jeffrey Caldwell
The air bag on a Ford Focus is an important safety feature that protects the driver and passengers in the event of a collision. Some repairs and maintenance procedures, especially work that requires accessing the area directly behind the front bumper, require disarming the air bag system to avoid setting it off accidentally. If you are planning any work to the front bumper or steering column of your Focus, make sure to disarm the air bag system first.
Step 1
Make sure all electrical accessories on your Focus are turned off.
Step 2
Turn the ignition off.
Step 3
Locate the central junction box. It will be bolted to the firewall below the left side of the instrument panel. Remove the cover.
Step 4
Locate the 7.5 amp fuse labeled "Restraints Control Module" (RCM). Remove the RCM from the central junction box.
Step 5
Turn the ignition on and watch the indicator lights on the dash. The air bag light should illuminate (continuously without flashing) for at least 30 seconds if the correct fuse was removed.
Step 6
Turn the ignition off after the light has stayed on for at least 30 seconds.
Step 7
Disconnect the ground cable from the negative battery terminal. Secure the ground cable so that it cannot accidentally contact the battery. Wait at least one minute before continuing.
Step 8
The air bag is now disarmed.
References
- "Chilton Ford Service Manual 2008 Edition Vol. II"; Chilton; 2008
Things You'll Need
- Socket set
- Needle-nosed pliers
Writer Bio
Jeffrey Caldwell has been a freelance writer for over five months and has published over 250 articles on websites like eHow and Trails.com. Caldwell writes articles on a wide range of topics including travel, camping and automotive mechanics. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Millersville University.
