GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC B0012 01: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 1 Short to Battery

DTC B0012 02: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 1 Short to Ground

DTC B0012 04: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 1 Open Circuit

DTC B0012 0D: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 1 Resistance Above Threshold

DTC B0012 0E: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 1 Resistance Below Threshold

DTC B0013 01: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 2 Short to Battery

DTC B0013 02: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 2 Short to Ground

DTC B0013 04: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 2 Open Circuit

DTC B0013 0D: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 2 Resistance Above Threshold

DTC B0013 0E: Driver Frontal Deployment Loop Stage 2 Resistance Below Threshold

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Low Resistance

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Steering Wheel Module Stage 1 High

B0012 02

B0012 0E

B0012 0D

B0012 04

B0012 01

Steering Wheel Module Stage 1 Low

B0012 02

B0012 0E

B0012 0D

B0012 04

B0012 01

Steering Wheel Module Stage 2 High

B0013 02

B0013 0E

B0013 0D

B0013 04

B0013 01

Steering Wheel Module Stage 2 Low

B0013 02

B0013 0E

B0013 0D

B0013 04

B0013 01

Circuit/System Description

During a frontal crash of sufficient force the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) will allow current to flow through the deployment loop in order to deploy the steering wheel module. The SDM performs continuous diagnostic tests on the deployment loops to check for proper circuit continuity and for shorts to ground or voltage.

There are 2 shorting bars used within the steering wheel module coil connector which will short together both steering wheel module stage 1 high circuit and steering wheel module stage 1 low circuit and both steering wheel module stage 2 high circuit and steering wheel module stage 2 low circuit when the connector is disconnected. This will help to prevent unwanted deployment of the inflator module during servicing.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

B0012 01 Stage 1 or B0013 01 Stage 2

The steering wheel module high and/or low circuit is shorted to voltage for 120 milliseconds.

B0012 02 Stage 1 or B0013 02 Stage 2

The steering wheel module high and/or low circuit is shorted to ground for 120 milliseconds.

B0012 04 Stage 1 or B0013  04 Stage 2

The steering wheel module high and/or low circuit is open for 120 milliseconds.

B0012 0D Stage 1 or B0013 0D Stage 2

The steering wheel module deployment loop resistance is greater than 5.1 ohms for 120 milliseconds.

B0012 0E Stage 1 or B0013 0E Stage 2

The steering wheel module deployment loop resistance is less than 1.3 ohms for 120 milliseconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The SDM request the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to illuminate the AIR BAG indicator ON.
    • The SIR system is disabled and no deployments are allowed.
    • The SDM will store a DTC, however if an event occurs the system will still attempt deployments.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The condition for setting the DTC no longer exists.
    • A history DTC will clear once 100 malfunction-free ignition cycles have occurred.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

SIR Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

SIR System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs
    •  Connector Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

    • J 38715-A SIR Driver/Passenger Load Tool
    • SA9409Z-A SIR Driver/Passenger Load Tool

Circuit/System Testing

Important: 

   • Refer to SIR Service Precautions .
   • When removing the connectors inspect for damage or corrosion. Damage or corrosion to the following requires repair or replacement of the affected component/connector:
      - Pretensioner
      - Air bag module
      - SDM
      - Air bag wiring harness connector
      - SDM wiring harness connector

    Important: The connector and connector position assurance (CPA) may seat independent of each other. Both the connector and CPA should seat with an audible and/or tactile click. The CPA isolates the shorting-bars within the connector allowing the deployment circuit to operate properly.

  1. Verify that the steering wheel module connector and CPA are engaged.
  2. If the CPA or connector is not properly engaged, make the appropriate repair.
  3. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the steering wheel module.
  4. With the appropriate load tool adaptor, connect special tool J 38715-A or SA9409Z-A in place of the inflator restraint module.
  5. Ignition ON, verify the DTC is set as current.
  6. If the DTC is not set or is set as history, cycle ignition OFF, disconnect the adapter and J 38715-A or SA9409Z-A , reconnect the harness connector at the steering wheel module, and cycle the ignition ON. If the DTC resets after reconnecting the module, replace the steering wheel module.
  7. Ignition OFF, disconnect special tool J 38715-A or SA9409Z-A and the adaptor.
  8. Disconnect the harness connector at the steering wheel module coil.
  9. With the appropriate adaptor, connect special tool J 38715-A or SA9409Z-A .
  10. Ignition ON, verify the DTC is set as current.
  11. If the DTC is not set or is set as history, replace the steering wheel module coil.
  12. Ignition OFF, disconnect special tool J 38715-A or SA9409Z-A and the adaptor.
  13. Ignition ON, test for less than 1 volt between the appropriate high control circuit terminal and ground.
  14. • Stage 1 terminal 1
    • Stage 2 terminal 3
    If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  15. Test for less than 1 volt between the appropriate low control circuit terminal and ground.
  16. • Stage 1 terminal 2
    • Stage 2 terminal 4
    If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  17. Ignition OFF, test for infinite resistance between the appropriate high control circuit terminal and ground.
  18. • Stage 1 terminal 1
    • Stage 2 terminal 3
    If not the specified value, test the control circuit for a short to ground.
  19. Test for infinite resistance between the appropriate low control circuit terminal and ground.
  20. • Stage 1 terminal 2
    • Stage 2 terminal 4
    If not the specified value, test the control circuit for a short to ground.
  21. Disconnect the harness connector at the SDM.
  22. Test for less then 1 ohm between the following high control circuit terminals.
  23. • Steering wheel module coil connector Stage 1 terminal 1 X3 and SDM terminal 9
    • Steering wheel module coil connector Stage 2 terminal 3 X3 and SDM terminal 5
    If not within the specified range, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance.
  24. Test for less then 1 ohm between the following low control circuit terminals.
  25. • Steering wheel module coil connector Stage 1 terminal 2 X3 and SDM terminal 8
    • Steering wheel module coil connector Stage 2 terminal 4 X3 and SDM terminal 4
    If not within the specified range, test the circuit for an open/high resistance.
  26. If all circuits test normal, replace the SDM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement
    •  SIR/SRS Wiring Repairs
    •  Control Module References for SDM replacement, setup, and programming