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