2003 Ford Windstar BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE

Disabling System (Impala & Monte Carlo)

  1. Before proceeding, follow air bag service precautions. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Turn front wheels to straight-ahead position. Turn ignition switch to OFF position and remove key from ignition switch. Remove SDM fuse from fuse block at far left end of instrument panel. Fuse block is under access cover. Wait one minute.

  2. Zone 1

    To disable inflatable restraint Electronic Front End Sensor (EFS) located in SIR Zone 1, remove radiator upper air baffle and deflector. Remove Orange CPA clip from Yellow sensor harness connector. Disconnect sensor harness connector from sensor. See Fig 1.

  3. Zone 2 (Impala)

    To disable Side Impact Sensor (SIS) located in SIR Zone 2, remove front carpet retainer. Pull up carpet retaining leg of quarter lower trim panel. Pull center pillar lower trim panel out to disengage push-in retaining clips. Slide panel down, then out from under the upper trim panel. Remove seat belt from slot in center lower trim panel. Remove center lower trim panel from center pillar. Remove left SIS from center pillar. See Fig 2. Remove CPA clip from SIS connector. Disconnect SIS connector from SIS.
    4. CAUTION: Vehicle has energy-absorbing foam blocks for side air bag protection located in door. To help avoid personal injury in a collision, foam blocks that are damaged, or removed during repairs must be replaced. Failure to replace foam blocks that are removed can violate federal law.

  4. Zone 2 (Monte Carlo)
    To disable left Side Impact Sensor (SIS) located in SIR Zone 2, remove left door trim panel. Remove water deflector as required. Remove inner energy absorber pad. Loosen the top clip from the outer energy absorber pad and pull the pad away from outer door panel. Remove sensor fasteners. Remove left side air bag sensor from mounting bracket on door air bag beam. See Fig 3. Remove CPA clip from SIS connector. Disconnect SIS connector from SIS.

  5. Zone 3

    To disable driver air bag module and coil located in SIR Zone 3, remove left insulator panel. Remove CPA clip from driver air bag Yellow connector located at base of steering column. See Figure. Disconnect driver air bag Yellow air bag connector.

  6. Zone 5

    To disable passenger air bag module, located in SIR Zone 5, remove access hole cover from far right end of instrument panel. Unclip passenger air bag Yellow connector from metal rail. Remove Connector Position Assurance (CPA) clip and disconnect passenger air bag Yellow air bag connector.

  7. Zone 7

    To disable driver seat left side air bag module located in SIR Zone 7, move driver seat as far forward as possible. Remove CPA clip from side air bag module connector located under the driver seat. Disconnect side air bag module connector.

  8. Zone 9

    To disable inflatable restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) located in SIR Zone 9, disable Zones 3, 5 and 7. Remove CPA clip from components Yellow connector. Disconnect components Yellow connector from vehicle harness Yellow connectors.
Fig 1: Locating Electronic Front End Sensor (Impala & Monte Carlo)
G00077856Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
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  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
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