Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction — part 1723

Removal & Installation

1. Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . RCM is located on center tunnel, under

instrument panel. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.

2. Remove push pins and lower center instrument panel finish panel. Disengage RCM electrical connector

locking clip and disconnect electrical connector. Remove RCM bracket retaining bolts. See Fig. 13 .
Remove RCM with bracket from vehicle.

3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE

SPECIFICATIONS . Connect negative battery cable. With air bag simulators installed at all deployable
devices, perform system operation check. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK . Activate air bag
system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.

Fig. 13: Identifying Restraints Control Module (RCM)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

air bags have not deployed. Replace or repair any other damaged air bag
system components or wiring that are adjacent to RCM.

CAUTION: Exposure to static electricity can damage RCM internal components.

Damage to RCM may result. Ensure RCM is protected from static electrical
charges.

2003 Ford Pickup F150

2003 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Air Bag Restraint Systems - F150 Pickup

SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS

Removal (With Seat Integrated Restraints)

1. Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See

DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove
appropriate front seat. See FRONT SEAT .

2. On models equipped with 60 percent front seat bench, unfasten front seat cover retainers located under

front seat. Remove front seat cushion trim cover hog rings. Remove 60 percent front seat cushion.
Remove nut and buckle/pretensioner assembly.

3. On models equipped with captain and 40 percent front seat, disengage seat belt buckle/pretensioner

electrical connector retainer. Remove nut and buckle/pretensioner assembly.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten seat belt buckle/pretensioner nut to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS . Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Check AIR BAG warning light for proper system function. See SYSTEM
OPERATION CHECK .

Removal (Without Seat Integrated Restraints)

1. Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See

DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.

2. On regular cab models, use Seat Bolt Bit (501-010) to remove seat belt lower anchor bolt. Remove seat

belt retractor/pretensioner mounting bolt and retractor/pretensioner assembly.

3. On SuperCrew models, use seat bolt bit to remove seat belt lower anchor bolt. Remove B-pillar trim

insert and guide belt through trim panel. Release web-guide pin-type retainers and remove web-guide.
Using seat bolt bit, remove seat belt retractor/pretensioner mounting bolt. Lift seat belt
retractor/pretensioner at bottom and pull out, disengaging upper bracket. Remove retractor/pretensioner
assembly.

Installation

1. Install seat belt retractor/pretensioner and mounting bolt. Tighten retractor/pretensioner mounting bolt to

specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Remove pretensioner simulator from pretensioner
harness connector and reconnect connectors. Connect negative battery cable. With air bag simulators
installed at all remaining deployable devices, perform system operation check. See SYSTEM
OPERATION CHECK .

2. Disconnect negative battery cable. Wait at least one minute for back-up power supply to deplete stored

energy. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten fasteners to specification. Activate
air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM.

NOTE:

When tightening seat belt buckle/pretensioner nut on 60 percent seat, ensure
seat backrest pivot bolt does not turn with nut.

2003 Ford Pickup F150

2003 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Air Bag Restraint Systems - F150 Pickup

STEERING WHEEL

Removal & Installation

1. Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Turn front wheels to straight-ahead

position. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING
AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove driver-side air bag module. See DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE .

2. Remove and discard steering wheel retaining bolt. Mark steering wheel hub and steering shaft for

installation reference. Using 2-Jaw Puller (ST1321) or equivalent, remove steering wheel. Route
clockspring and horn wiring harness through steering wheel as wheel is lifted from steering shaft.

3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Install NEW steering wheel bolt and tighten to specification. See

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under
DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Check AIR BAG warning light for proper system
function. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK .

DIAGNOSTICS

SELF-DIAGNOSTICS

During vehicle operation, the Restraints Control Module (RCM) detects and stores both intermittent and hard
failure codes in non-volatile memory. The RCM will also display a Light Fault Code (LFC) on the AIR BAG
warning light. The DTCs can be retrieved with scan tool using the retrieve/clear continuous codes option. If no
DTCs are present, scan tool will display SYSTEM PASSED message. Once a fault code is logged in RCM
memory, it will stay in memory until 128 ignition cycles have been recorded or until scan tool is used to erase
the DTCs.

The on-demand self-test can be used to verify there are no electrical faults within air bag system. During this
test RCM will check each electrical component in system. If fault is detected, DTC is displayed on scan tool
with brief description of fault. Faults detected during self-test are not stored in memory, unless same fault was
detected during normal vehicle operation. Self-test should be run after service to verify operation.

CAUTION: When removing steering wheel, do not use a knock-off type steering wheel

puller, or strike steering wheel or shaft with a hammer. Damage to steering
column is possible. A sudden impact could damage bearing or collapse
steering column Use 2-Jaw Puller (ST1321) or equivalent to remove
steering wheel.

WARNING:

Failure to follow service precautions may result in air bag deployment.
Personal injury may result. See AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .

NOTE:

Unless otherwise specified, New Generation STAR (NGS) tester (418-F052),
Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS) tester (418- F224), or equivalent tester will
be referred to as scan tool.
After component replacement, ensure proper system operation. See SYSTEM
OPERATION CHECK .

2003 Ford Pickup F150

2003 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Air Bag Restraint Systems - F150 Pickup

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE

1. Retrieve all DTCs stored in RCM memory by executing RETRIEVE/CLEAR CONTINUOUS DTCs. See

RETRIEVING FAULT CODES .

2. Run on-demand self-test to determine what DTCs are currently being sensed by RCM. See ON-

DEMAND SELF-TEST .

3. If stored DTCs are different than current DTCs, always repair current DTCs first.

4. If different continuous DTCs are displayed from memory than on-demand self-test, repair on-demand

self-test codes first then repair continuous codes.

5. If no DTCs are retrieved and symptoms are observed, refer to diagnostic symptoms table. See

DIAGNOSTIC SYMPTOMS table.

INSPECTION & VERIFICATION

1. If AIR BAG warning light is ON, visually inspect for obvious mechanical and electrical damage of

following components prior to performing diagnostic tests:

z

Damaged bracket on restraints control module.

z

Blown fuse(s).

z

Damaged wiring harness.

z

Loose or corroded connectors.

z

Damaged shorting bars.

z

Open or short circuits or loosely mounted sensors.

If damage is not visually evident, use scan tool to retrieve Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and perform on-
demand self-test. See USING SCAN TOOL .

USING SCAN TOOL

1. To retrieve continuous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and run self-test diagnostics, connect scan tool

to Data Link Connector (DLC) following manufacturer"s instructions. DLC is located under steering
column.

2. If self-test passes and no DTCs are retrieved, go to diagnostic symptoms table to continue diagnosis. See

DIAGNOSTIC SYMPTOMS table. If DTCs are retrieved, go to diagnostic trouble code identification
table to continue diagnosis. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) IDENTIFICATION table.
If restraints control module cannot be accessed by scan tool, go to TEST Y: NO COMMUNICATION
WITH RCM under .

RETRIEVING FAULT CODES

Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC), located under instrument panel to right of steering column.
Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Follow manufacturer"s instructions for scan tool being used. All
continuous DTCs will be displayed on scan tool screen. Record DTCs for reference. See DIAGNOSTIC
TROUBLE CODE (DTC) IDENTIFICATION table. When DTCs are cleared, they cannot be retrieved.

2003 Ford Pickup F150

2003 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Air Bag Restraint Systems - F150 Pickup