B1938

Code

Other B — Body

Air Bag Passenger Circuit Short To Ground

Brand: Other

Type: B — Body

Views: UK: 25 EN: 33 RU: 23

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Page language: EN

Causes

Short to ground in passenger airbag (squib) wiring or connector
Corroded or damaged passenger airbag connector
Faulty passenger airbag squib (inflator) with internal short
Poor repair or pinched/abraded harness (aftermarket work, seat removal)
Water intrusion in seat area or connectors
Faulty SRS control module or internal input driver fault

Symptoms

Airbag (SRS) warning lamp illuminated on instrument cluster
Possible PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator or disabled passenger airbag
Related SRS codes stored in memory
Vehicle may fail safety inspections or readiness tests

What to check

Read and record all SRS codes and freeze frame data with a capable scan tool
Check for other SRS or body electrical codes that may be related
Perform a visual inspection of the passenger seat area, connectors, and harness routing
Inspect the passenger airbag connector for corrosion, bent pins, or damage
Check wiring harness for chafing where it passes through seat rails, trim, and body panels
Measure resistance and continuity of the passenger squib circuit per manufacturer specs (with SRS power removed)

Signal parameters

Normal passenger airbag squib resistance: typically low ohms (commonly around 2–5 Ω) — consult vehicle specs
Short to ground symptom: near 0 Ω to chassis ground or much lower than expected resistance
Open circuit symptom: infinite or very high resistance
Voltage checks: squib circuits are normally not powered during service — only measure voltage per manufacturer procedure and only with appropriate diagnostic equipment

Diagnostic algorithm

Retrieve all SRS codes and freeze-frame data using an OEM-capable scan tool; note any other codes.
Follow the manufacturer's recommended SRS safety procedure before doing any work (disable battery negative, wait specified time for capacitor discharge, and wear appropriate PPE).
Visually inspect the passenger airbag connector and harness (under seat, seat belt pretensioner, door sill area). Look for corrosion, pin damage, water, or obvious chafing.
With SRS power removed and following vehicle-specific procedures, disconnect the passenger airbag connector and measure resistance of the airbag squib between its pins. Compare to OEM specification. Do not short the pins together.
Check continuity between the squib circuit and chassis ground. A near-zero reading indicates a short to ground on the harness or connector.
Perform an isolated wiggle test and inspect continuity while moving the seat and harness routing to locate intermittent shorts (with power removed).
If wiring and connectors check OK, inspect/replace the passenger airbag module; if necessary, confirm suspect module on a known-good vehicle or with manufacturer guidance before replacement.
If harness damage is found, repair using OEM-quality connectors and solder or crimp repairs per manufacturer repair standards; restore proper routing and secure harness away from pinch points.
After repairs, clear codes with the scan tool and perform SRS system self-tests and a road test as required by the manufacturer to verify the fault does not return.
If problem persists with wiring and airbag module verified good, consider SRS control module diagnosis by a dealer or qualified SRS technician.

Likely causes

Worn/abraded insulation on the passenger airbag circuit touching chassis ground under the seat
Connector backshell pushed out, causing a pin to short to ground
Passenger airbag module failure (rare compared with wiring faults)
Corrosion from spilled liquid in seat area or underfloor
Incorrectly routed or trapped wiring after seat or interior work

Fault status

⚠️ Status

Air Bag Passenger Circuit Short To Ground — SRS control module has detected an unintended short to chassis ground on the passenger-side airbag deployment circuit. Airbag may be disabled and requires diagnosis and repair.

🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium

⏱️ Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours