OEM 2000 Mercury Cougar Air Bag

2000 Mercury Cougar Air Bag Parts Q&A

• Q: How to service the driver air bag module safely on 2000 Mercury Cougar?

  A: The first step to service the driver air bag module requires you to disconnect the battery cables followed by letting them rest for at least one minute before touching the electronic air bag control module or supplemental restraint system electrical connectors to avoid accidental deployment that could cause personal injury. Any contact with the air bag module requires safety glasses use and a live air bag should be handled with bag and trim cover facing away from your body to avoid potential injury from deployment. Position the air bag onto a surface with its trim front orientation facing upward. You must wash your hands with soapy water following deployment since sodium hydroxide residue might cause skin irritation. Your repairs must consist solely of replacement procedures since part replacement fails to solve the issue thus requiring the reinstallation of the original part before restaging diagnostic steps. Probing the air bag connectors will activate deployment which results in injury risks. Turning the steering wheel exposes the Torx retaining screws on the steering wheel back cover. Detaching the module allows disconnecting its electrical connector for removal. The reverse steps used during removal operations will be used to install the part. The vehicle's drive performance will show unusual characteristics after battery connection and disconnection because it needs to learn its adaptive strategy through driving at least 16 km (10 miles). Replacing air bag modules remains the correct course of action when covers or deployment doors show any sign of discoloration or damages. Repainting these air bag modules is never acceptable.