OEM 2002 Mercury Cougar Air Bag

2002 Mercury Cougar Air Bag Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to service the passenger air bag module safely on 2002 Mercury Cougar?

  A: The procedure to service a passenger air bag module begins with disconnecting the battery cables followed by a one-minute wait before touching electronic air bag control or supplementary restraint electrical connectors so accidental air bag deployment can be avoided with its harmful consequences. Safety glasses should always be worn during air bag component maintenance and you should support a live air bag with its bag and trim cover positioned away from your body as an extra safety measure against accidental deployment injuries. All damaged air bag modules need replacement since attempts to paint over or repair them will not succeed. Start the removal process by removing the glove compartment through three Torx retaining screw removal followed by side stop depression to detach side components. The glove compartment finish panel needs removal because all four Torx retaining screws must be unscrewed followed by disconnection of the passenger air register duct from the heater box housing and the instrument panel register. You must next disconnect the passenger air bag module electrical connector, then remove the two bolts which retain the module at the rear of the cross vehicle beam while supporting the module securely throughout the process. Finally, remove the two nuts which secure the front of the module. Slightly drop the top part of the module until it can slide over the cross vehicle beam into the passenger footwell. Installation follows removal procedure steps yet the vehicle requires drive distances exceeding 16 km (10 mi) after reconnecting the battery to adjust its adaptive strategy before driving normally. Replacement repair offers the sole solution but new components must restore functionality or you must return to the starting components followed by another diagnostic test. It is unsafe to probe the air bag connectors because doing so can activate the air bag deployment which leads to personal injury. Hand washing with soap and water should follow deployment as a means to clear skin irritation caused by sodium hydroxide residue.