Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 172

Fig. 38: Identifying Special Tool 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

Deactivation 

WARNING:

Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental 
restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This 
will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING:

Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away 
from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an 
accidental deployment.

WARNING:

Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This 
will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING:

After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ACCESSORIES AND BODY, CAB Seating - F150 Pickup

  

hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to 
the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

WARNING:

Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in 
air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING:

The safety belt buckle pretensioner and safety belt retractor pretensioner 
are pyrotechnic devices. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. 
Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could 
result in personal injury.

WARNING:

Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a 
vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is 
involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring 
pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any 
other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether 
or not the air bag is deployed.

WARNING:

The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. 
Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in 
injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

NOTE:

If a seat equipped with a seat mounted side air bag and/or a safety belt 
pretensioner (if equipped) system is being serviced, the air bag system must be 
deactivated.

NOTE:

Restraint system diagnostic tools MUST be installed under the seats in the seat 
side air bag (if equipped) and safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) to floor 
connectors.

NOTE:

Diagnostics or repairs are not to be performed on a seat equipped with a seat 
side air bag with the seat in the vehicle. Prior to attempting to diagnose or 
repair a seat concern when equipped with a seat side air bag, the seat must be 
removed from the vehicle and the restraint system diagnostic tools must be 
installed in the seat side air bag electrical connectors. The restraint system 
diagnostic tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road.

NOTE:

After diagnosing or repairing an SRS, the restraint system diagnostic tools 
must be removed before operating the vehicle over the road.

NOTE:

After diagnosing or repairing a seat system, the restraint system diagnostic 
tools must be removed before operating the vehicle over the road.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ACCESSORIES AND BODY, CAB Seating - F150 Pickup

  

All vehicles 

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.  

2. Pull out to release the retaining clips and position the upper instrument panel steering column cover out of 

the way. 

NOTE:

The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle 
to the customer.

WARNING:

To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the 
backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing 
any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) 
components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking 
components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, 
instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood 
latches. 
The side impact sensors (if equipped) are located at or near the base 
of the B-pillar. 
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery 
ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect 
auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ACCESSORIES AND BODY, CAB Seating - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 39: Identifying Position Of Upper Instrument Panel Steering Column Cover Out Of Way
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

3. Remove the central junction box panel cover. 

Fig. 40: Removing Central Junction Box Panel Cover 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

4. Remove the lower instrument panel steering column cover. 

1. Remove the two retaining bolts and disconnect the parking brake release lever.  

2. Remove the two retaining bolts and disconnect the hood release lever.  

3. Remove the six retaining bolts.  

4. Remove the cover. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ACCESSORIES AND BODY, CAB Seating - F150 Pickup