DTC 32: Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 32
Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
Normal Operation
The diagnostic monitor measures the resistance across Pin 10 (Circuit 615,
GY/W) and Pin 11 (Circuit 614, GY/O) every time the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. Normal resistance across these circuits is between 1.5
ohms and 2.0 ohms . This resistance comes from the air bag itself
(approximately 1.0 ohm ) and the clockspring windings (approximately 0.25
to 0.5 ohm per winding, two windings in all). If the resistance across
these two circuits exceeds 4.0 ohms , the diagnostic monitor will flash
code 32.
NOTE: The connectors for the air bag and the clockspring have metal spring
clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic
hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short Circuits 614 and
615 together when the connectors are not mated. DO NOT attempt to remove the
air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag.
The clockspring shorting bar may be removed to measure the clockspring
resistance. Use extreme care when reinstalling the shorting bar to ensure it is
installed correctly.
Possible Causes
Excessive resistance across Pins 10 and 11 can be caused by:
- A poor connection where the clockspring connects into the main wiring harness. The clockspring connector at the base of the steering column may have excessive resistance between the male and female terminals in the connector or across the terminal crimps.
- An open circuit or high resistance in the clockspring windings inside the clockspring assembly.
- An open circuit or high resistance in the wiring harness in either Circuit 614 (GY/O) or Circuit 615 (GY/W).
- An open circuit or high resistance in the driver side air bag. DO NOT attempt a direct resistance measurement of the air bag. Follow the diagnostic procedures to determine if the air bag resistance is higher than normal.
