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: Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Stage 2) Resistance Low

DTC B0013: Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Stage 2) Open

DTC B0014: Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Stage 2) Voltage Out of Range

DTC B0016: Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Stage 1) Resistance Low

DTC B0017: Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Stage 1) Open

DTC B0018: Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop (Stage 1) Voltage Out of Range

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

I/P Module Stage 1 High Circuit

B0018

B0018

B0017

B0018

B0016

I/P Module Stage 1 Low Circuit

B0018

B0018

B0017

B0018

B0016

I/P Module Stage 2 High Circuit

B0014

B0014

B0013

B0014

B0012

I/P Module Stage 2 Low Circuit

B0014

B0014

B0013

B0014

B0012

Circuit/System Description

The passenger deployment loop consists of a dual stage inflatable restraint instrument panel (I/P) module. The I/P module high circuits, and the I/P module low circuits exist for both stages 1 and 2. There are 2 shorting bars used within the I/P module connector. These shorting bars short together the I/P module stage 1 high circuits, and low circuits, and the I/P module stage 2 high circuits and low circuits when the connector is disconnected. This prevents unwanted deployment of the inflator module during servicing. During a frontal crash of sufficient force the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) will allow current to flow through the deployment loop. This flow of current will deploy the I/P module. The SDM performs continuous diagnostic tests on the deployment loops to check for proper circuit continuity, and for shorts-to-ground or voltage. If a malfunction is detected, a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) will be stored in memory.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

B0012 stage 2 or B0016 stage 1

The I/P module deployment loop resistance is less than 1.3 ohms for 500 milliseconds.

B0013 stage 2 or B0017 stage 1

    • The I/P module stage 1 or stage 2 high circuit is less than 2.4 volts and the I/P module stage 1 or stage 2 deployment loop is more than 6 ohms for 500 milliseconds.
    • The I/P module stage 1 or stage 2 deployment loop resistance is more than 4.8 ohms for 500 milliseconds.

B0014 stage 2 or B0018 stage 1

    • The I/P module stage 1 or stage 2 high and/or low circuits is short to ground or short to voltage for 500 milliseconds.
    • The I/P module stage 1 or stage 2 high circuit is less than 2.4 volts and I/P module stage 1 or stage 2 deployment loop resistance is less than 6 ohms for 500 milliseconds.

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.

Diagnostic Aids

If there is more than one DTC set diagnose the open DTC first. The following are possible causes of the malfunction:

    • A short between the I/P module stage 1 or stage 2, high and low circuits
    • An open or a high resistance in the I/P module stage 1 or stage 2, high or low circuits
    • A short to ground or a short to voltage in the I/P module stage 1 or stage 2, high or low circuits
    • A malfunctioning I/P module connector
    • A malfunctioning SDM connector
    • A malfunctioning I/P module
    • A malfunctioning SDM

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
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Wiring Repairs

Special Tools

    • J 38715-A Driver/Passenger Load tool
    • EL 38715-125 Load Tool Adapter

Circuit/System Testing

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

   •  I/P module
   • SDM module
   • I/P 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 I/P module connector and the CPA are engaged.
  2. Ignition OFF, disconnect I/P module in-line connector.
  3. Use J 38715-125 to connect the J 38715-A to the harness side of the I/P module in-line wiring harness connector. Use the PASSENGER INFLATOR and BASE of COLUMN connectors located on the load tool.
  4. Ignition ON, use a scan tool to observe the SIR DTC display. Verify DTC B0012, B0013, B0014, B0016, B0017, or B0018 is current.
  5. If DTC B0012, B0013, B0014, B0016, B0017, or B0018 is not set or set as history, cycle ignition OFF, disconnect the adapter and J 38715-A , reconnect the harness connector at the I/P module, and cycle the ignition ON. If the DTC resets after reconnecting the module, replace the I/P module.
  6. Ignition OFF, disconnect and remove the J 38715-A and adapter.
  7. Disconnect the SDM harness connector.
  8. Ignition ON, test for less than 1 volt between the appropriate high control circuit listed below and ground:
  9. • I/P module Stage 1 terminal A X1
    • I/P module Stage 2 terminal A X2
    If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  10. Test for less than 1 volt between the appropriate low control circuit terminal listed below and ground:
  11. • I/P module Stage 1 terminal B X1
    • I/P module Stage 2 terminal B X2
    If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  12. Ignition OFF, test for infinite resistance between the appropriate high control circuit terminal listed below and ground:
  13. • I/P module Stage 1 terminal A X1
    • I/P module Stage 2 terminal A X2
    If less than the specified value, test the control circuit for a short to ground.
  14. Test for infinite resistance between the appropriate low control circuit terminal listed below and ground:
  15. • I/P module Stage 1 terminal B X1
    • I/P module Stage 2 terminal B X2
    If less than the specified value, test the control circuit for a short to ground.
  16. Test for less then 1 ohm between the appropriate high control circuit terminals listed below.
  17. • I/P module Stage 1 terminal A X1 and SDM terminal A4
    • I/P module Stage 2 terminal A X2 and SDM terminal B4
    If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance.
  18. Test for less then 1 ohm between the appropriate low control circuit terminals listed below:
  19. • I/P module Stage 1 terminal B X1 and SDM terminal A3
    • I/P module Stage 2 terminal B X2 and SDM terminal B3
    If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance.
  20. If all circuits test normal, replace the SDM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

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