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 B0074 01: Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor Circuit Short to Battery

DTC B0074 02: Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor Circuit Short to Ground

DTC B0074 08: Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor Circuit Signal Invalid

DTC B0074 11: Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor Circuit Above Maximum Threshold

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Low Resistance

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Performance

Pressure Sensor Signal

B0074 02

B0074 02

B0074 11

--

B0074 01

B0074 00, B0074 08

Pressure Sensor Voltage Reference

B0074 02

B0074 02

B0074 11

--

B0074 01

B0074 00, B0074 08

Pressure Sensor Low Reference

--

--

B0074 11

--

B0074 01

B0074 00, B0074 08

Circuit/System Description

The passenger presence system (PPS) uses a silicone filled sensor pad located underneath the passenger seat foam cushion and is connected by a hose clamp to a pressure sensor. The weight of the occupant sitting in the front passenger seat is measured as a pressure change within the bladder by the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is a 3-wire sensor consisting of a power, ground, and signal circuit. The PPS continually monitors itself and if a fault in this circuit occurs, a DTC will set. When the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) detects this DTC within the PPS, it will notify the customer of the enable/disable status by illuminating the OFF indicator on the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF indicators. Then the PPS will communicate to the SDM through serial data communications that a PPS fault is present. The SDM will then suppress the deployment of the instrument panel (I/P) module and then illuminate the AIR BAG indicator.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The PPS detects the voltage at the PPS sensor is less than 0.5 volt or greater than 4.5 volts for 500 milliseconds.
    • The PPS detects the amperage at the PPS sensor low reference is 25 mA or greater for 500 milliseconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PPS will set a DTC, and then communicate with the SDM.
    • The SDM disables the I/P module deployment loop.
    • The PPS illuminates the passenger air bag status OFF indicator.
    • The SDM requests the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to illuminate the AIR BAG warning lamp.

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
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs
    •  SIR/SRS Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Testing

    Important: When removing connectors, inspect for damage or corrosion. Damage or corrosion in the following requires repair or replacement of the affected component/connector:

       • PPS pressure sensor
       • PPS pressure sensor wiring harness connector

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the PPS sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohms between the PPS sensor ground circuit terminal D and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the PPS B+ circuit terminal A and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. Reconnect all PPS components and perform the Passenger Presence System Preload Test.
  7. Verify DTC B0074 is not set.
  8. If DTC B0074 is set, replace the PPS sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

Control Module References for PPS replacement, setup, and programming