DTC 34: Driver Side Air Bag Circuit Low Resistance or Shorted

Electrical Schematic:

Normal Operation
The diagnostic monitor measures the resistance across pin 10 (circuit 937 "GY") and pin 11 (circuit 944A "GN/W") every time the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. Normal resistance across these circuits is between 1.5 ohms and 2.0 ohms. This resistance comes from the air bag itself (approximately 1.0 ohm) and the clockspring windings (approximately 0.25 ohms to 0.5 ohms per winding, two windings in all) and the safing sensor (approximately 0.2 ohms). If the resistance across these three circuits is less than 0.7 ohms, the diagnostic monitor will flash a code 34 on the air bag lamp.

NOTE: The connectors for the air bag and the clockspring have metal spring clips that act as shorting bars. These shorting bars are built into the plastic hardshell connectors. The shorting bars are designed to short circuits 937 and 938 together when the connectors are not mated. Do not attempt to remove the air bag shorting bar and measure the resistance of the air bag. The clockspring shorting bar may be removed to measure the clockspring resistance. Use extreme care when reinstalling the shorting bar to ensure it is installed correctly.

Possible Causes
Low resistance across pins 10 and 11 can be caused by the following:
1. A poorly mated air bag clockspring connector may not push the shorting bars back into their fully retracted positions.
2. A faulty shorting bar may short circuits 937 and 944A together.
3. A short in the clockspring windings between circuits 937 and 944A.
4. A short across the air bag terminals within the air bag. DO NOT attempt a direct resistance measurement of the air bag. Follow the diagnostic procedures to determine if the air bag resistance is lower than normal.

Pinpoint Test Steps:

34-1 - 34-4: