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 B0077: Left Front/Driver Side Impact Sensor (SIS) Performance

DTC B0078: Right Front/Passenger Side Impact Sensor (SIS) Performance

DTC B0079: Incorrect Left Front/Driver Side Impact Sensor (SIS) Installed

DTC B0080: Discard Left Front/Driver Side Impact Sensor (SIS)

DTC B0081: Incorrect Right Front/Passenger Side Impact Sensor (SIS) Installed

DTC B0082: Discard Right Front/Passenger Side Impact Sensor (SIS)

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Side Impact Sensor Left Signal

--

--

B0077

--

Side Impact Sensor Left Voltage

B0077

B0077

B0077

B0077

Side Impact Sensor Right Signal

--

--

B0078

--

Side Impact Sensor Right Voltage

B0078

B0078

B0078

B0078

Circuit/System Description

The inflatable restraint side impact sensor utilizes a unidirectional 2-wire circuit. The SIS modulates current on the interface to send ID, state of health (SOH), and deployment commands to the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). The SDM serves as a power source and a ground for the side impact sensor. When the ignition is turned ON and input power from the SDM is first detected, the SIS responds by performing internal diagnostics and sending an ID to the SDM. The SDM considers the ID to be valid if the response time is less than 5 seconds. The SIS continually communicates status messages to the SDM, which determines if a fault is present in the side impact sensor circuit. When a fault is detected, the SDM resets the side impact sensor twice by removing and reapplying power to it. If the fault is still present, the SDM will set a DTC.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

All of the following conditions exist for 2.5 seconds:

B0077 for SIS - LF or B0078 for SIS - RF

    • A valid ID message is not received within 5 seconds of the side impact sensor being powered up.
    • The SDM has not received a message from the side impact sensor for more than 375 milliseconds.
    • The SDM has reset the side impact sensor twice without detecting a valid ID message.

B0079 for SIS - LF or B0081 for SIS - RF

    • The SDM has received an ID message from the side impact sensor which does not match the ID stored in the SDM memory.
    • The SDM has reset the side impact sensor twice without detecting a correct ID message.

B0080 for SIS - LF or B0082 for SIS - RF

The SDM has received a NOK message from the side impact sensor.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The SDM requests the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to illuminate the AIR BAG indicator.
    • The SIR system is disabled and no deployments are allowed.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The condition responsible 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

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.

   • Side impact sensor
   • The SDM
   • Side impact sensor wiring harness connector
   • The SDM wiring harness connector

  1. Verify B0079, B0080, B0081, or B0082 is not set.
  2. If B0079, B0080, B0081, or B0082 is set, replace the appropriate inflatable restraint side impact sensor.
  3. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate inflatable restraint side impact sensor and the SDM.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the appropriate inflatable restraint side impact sensor circuit terminal A and ground.
  5. If less than the specified value, test the circuit for a short to ground.
  6. Ignition ON, test for less than 1 volt between the appropriate inflatable restraint side impact sensor signal circuit terminal A and ground.
  7. If greater than the specified range, test the circuit for a short to voltage.
  8. Ignition ON, test for less than 1 volt between the appropriate inflatable restraint side impact sensor voltage circuit terminal B and ground.
  9. If greater than the specified range, test the circuit for a short to voltage.
  10. Ignition OFF, test for less then 1 ohm between the appropriate inflatable restraint side impact sensor terminal and SDM signal circuit terminal listed below:
  11. • Left impact sensor terminal A and SDM terminal 40
    • Right impact sensor terminal A and SDM terminal 41
    If greater than the specified range, test the circuit for an open/high resistance.
  12. Test for less then 1 ohm between the appropriate inflatable restraint side impact sensor terminal and SDM voltage circuit terminal listed below:
  13. • Left impact sensor terminal B and SDM terminal 42
    • Right impact sensor terminal B and SDM terminal 43
    If greater than the specified range, test the circuit for an open/high resistance.
  14. If the circuits test normal, replace the appropriate inflatable restraint side impact sensor.
  15. Reconnect all SIR components
  16. Ignition ON, verify that B0077 or B0078 is not set.
  17. If B0077 or B0078 is set, replace the SDM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  SIR/SRS Wiring Repairs
    •  Inflatable Restraint Side Impact Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for SDM replacement, setup, and programming