Are Airbag Control Modules Swappable for 1998 Rangers?

ClipperClopper · #1 02-17-2014, 10:36 AM

...Or is programming of the module necessary by the dealer?

My airbag computer must have gone bad on me. The 1998 Ford Ranger 2WD is flashing a 19 code, meaning the airbag module was full and/or bad. I sent it in to be cleared through a service on eBay and they got back to me saying it has an internal hardware failure. The old computer probably just went bad.

The dealer wants $500 to replace it ($409 for the module and an hour's labor for the swap and programming). I've sourced a number of these on car-part.com and have found them for $50 with the exact same code on them as mine (F87B-14B321-AB).

I only got a blanket answer from the dealer that all Fords need to have their RCMs programmed when they're changed but I've been told by a local service shop that isn't very interested in the repair that sometimes the older models are swappable without any programming.

Does anyone know for sure whether programming is required?

Thanks to anyone who chimes in here.

Jswifto · #2 02-17-2014, 03:37 PM

The older modules are not vin coded so it should work

ClipperClopper · #3 02-18-2014, 09:57 AM

Thanks! That's more detail than my Ford dealer wanted to give. I found one for $19 on car-part.com that's worth the gamble to find out now that I have a better sense that there's a chance it will work. Probably won't but that's how this truck has been since I got it.
I'll post back here.

ClipperClopper · #4 03-10-2014, 07:04 AM

Just wanted to update this thread that indeed they are swappable. I ordered one from a junk yard I found on car-parts.com for $19 plus s&h. Sure beats Ford's $409 price plus "programming."