Air Bag Fault Codes

This page is about air bag problems that turn on the dash warning lamp.

Check Air Bag Light Code:

There are several ways to conduct an airbag check. Making sure your airbag is working properly can help reassure that you and your passengers are safe. So, check to see if your airbag system is operating correctly.

Most cars today can do an airbag diagnostic test. The test checks to see if all the sensors and circuits of the airbag are functioning. If the system detects any problems, it gives you a signal through the airbag indicator by flashing the light several times, giving you the specific problem the test has detected. These flashes are codes, each having its own meaning.

Specific Airbag Fault Codes:

Codes 01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,11,12,13 and 14

These codes are started by a single flash of the indicator light, followed by a two-second pause. After the pause, the light will flash the number of times that corresponds to the second digit of the code. Code 12 (single flash, pause, two flashes) means that there is a lost battery feed. Code 13 (single flash, pause, three flashes) means that the airbag circuit has shorted to ground and Code 14 (single flash, pause, four flashes) means that the primary crash sensor circuit has shorted to ground.

Codes 21,22,23 and 24

These codes are signaled by two flashes, a two-second pause and the number of flashes that corresponds to the second digit. Code 21 (double flash, pause, one flash) means the diagnostic monitor is not mounted properly. Code 22 (double flash, pause, two flashes) means the safing center output circuit has shorted to battery voltage, Code 23 (double flash, pause, three flashes) means the memory clear circuit is improperly grounded and Code 24 (double flash, pause, four flashes) means there is a system disarm failure or internal diagnostic monitor fault.

Codes 32,33,34 and 35

These codes are signaled by three flashes, a two-second pause and the number of flashes that corresponds to the second digit. Code 32 (triple flash, pause, two flashes) means the driver side airbag has a circuit open or with high resistance, Code 33 (triple flash, pause, two flashes) means the passenger side airbag has a circuit open or with high resistance, Code 34 (triple flash, pause, four flashes) means the driver side airbag has a shorted circuit or one with low resistance and Code 35 (triple flash, pause, five flashes) means the passenger side airbag has a shorted circuit or one with low resistance.

Codes 41,42,43,44 and 45

These codes are signaled by four flashes, a two-second pause and the number of flashes that corresponds to the second digit. Code 41 (four flashes, pause, one flash) means the right radiator primary crash sensor feed/return circuit is open, Code 42 (four flashes, pause, two flashes) means the left radiator primary crash sensor feed/return circuit is open, Code 44 (four flashes, pause, four flashes) means the right radiator crash sensor is not mounted properly and Code 45 (four flashes, pause, five flashes) means the left radiator crash sensor is not mounted properly.

Codes 51,52 and 53

These codes are signaled by five flashes, a two-second pause and the number of flashes that corresponds to the second digit. Code 51 (five flashes, pause, one flash) means the airbag diagnostic monitor's internal fuse is blown, Code 52 (five flashes, pause, two flashes) means the back-up power supply has had a voltage boost fault and Code 53 (five flashes, pause, three flashes) means the front crash sensor has high resistance or the diagnostic monitor has failed.

OBD Airbag Fault Codes:

DTC B0016 RF/Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Single Stage or Stage 1) Resistance Low
DTC B0017 RF/Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Single Stage or Stage 1) Open
DTC B0018 RF/Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Single Stage or Stage 1) Short to Ground/Voltage Out of Range
DTC B0022 LF/Driver Frontal Deployment Loop (Single Stage or Stage 1) Resistance Low
DTC B0024 LF/Driver Frontal Deployment Loop (Single Stage or Stage 1) Short to Ground/Voltage Out of Range
DTC B0026 LF/Driver Frontal Deployment Loop (Single Stage or Stage 1) Open
DTC B0040 LF/Driver Side Deployment Loop Resistance Low
DTC B0041 LF/Driver Side Deployment Loop Open
DTC B0045 LF Side Deploy Loop Short to Ground/Voltage Out of Range
DTC B0051 Deployment Commanded
DTC B0053 Deployment Commanded with Loop Malfunctions Present
DTC B0077 LF/Driver SIS Malfunction
DTC B0079 Incorrect LF/Driver SIS Installed
DTC B0080 Discard LF/Driver SIS
DTC B1001 Option Configuration Error

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Warning Light

The supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light is most commonly known as the airbag system light. This is a computer controlled system designed to deploy one or more driver, passenger, and side airbags.

How to read air bag codes ?

If SRS light is already flashing the vehicle may already be displaying fault codes, skip to step 5. Please Note:When code reading is finished the vehicle must be returned to normal operation mode. Refer to step 7.

Turn ignition ON.
The SRS warning light will come ON for 7 seconds then go out. Turn the ignition OFF within 1 second of the lamp going out
Wait 3 seconds then repeat the above steps 3 times.
Switch ignition back ON and wait for the SRS light to begin flashing.
Read codes as described in the Code Format Description below.
Press the continue button to enter the code numbers and get the code description.

Ensure ignition is OFF then turn ignition ON.
Operate drivers's door switch (interior light) 5 times within 7 seconds of turning ignition ON
Turn ignition OFF

DISABLING AND REMOVAL OF THE AIRBAG MODULE

Remove ash tray from console panel
Using a socket set, remove 4 hex head screws from console panel
Pull console panel out of the two clips
Remove connector from Passenger Airbag Disable module in console panel and take console panel to a work bench
Remove 2 phillips head screws to remove the airbag key module
Carefully unclip the plastic tabs that hold the airbag key module case together
Remove circuit board from airbag key module housing
To prepare the module housing I drilled a 1/4" hole through the clear lens allowing my particular LED to be attached through that hole
Now carefully unsolder the blown light bulb
Then you are able to solder on the new LED *polarity matters* with that in mind the negative on the circuit board is closest to the outer edge of the circuit board
Reassemble the PAD Module and put it back into the console panel and then put everything back together on the dash in the reverse order of removal.

Airbag Codes

NOTICE

Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable and wait at least 2 full minutes for the circuit to completely discharge before proceeding.

CAUTION:

Failure to fully deplete the backup power supply could result in an accidental deployment and possible injury.