Code
B2905
Generic
B — Body
Passenger Seat Occupant Detection Sensor Circuit Malfunction
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Damaged or disconnected sensor harness or connector
- Corroded or bent connector pins
- Water/moisture intrusion into seat cushion or connector
- Failed occupant detection sensor (mat, load cell, or capacitor pad)
- Faulty passenger presence/airbag control module
- Poor ground or blown fuse for seat/airbag circuits
Symptoms
- SRS/Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger airbag disabled or enabled incorrectly
- Seatbelt reminder lamp/chime behaves incorrectly for passenger seat
- Diagnostic trouble code stored (B2905) and possible related B-codes
- Inconsistent or no change in occupant status when weight is applied to seat
What to check
- Read and record all stored DTCs and freeze frame data with a qualified scan tool
- Inspect seat cushion, upholstery and sensor mat for signs of water or mechanical damage
- Visually inspect connectors (sensor and control module) for corrosion, bent pins, or loose terminals
- Check relevant fuses and power/ground circuits for integrity
- Wiggle test harness and connector while observing live data to reproduce fault
- Confirm occupant detection status with known weights (empty seat vs. adult passenger or test weight)
Signal parameters
- Reference/shared supply: typically a regulated 5 V reference (verify with model-specific data)
- Signal type: may be analog voltage (0–5 V range) or a digital message to the SRS module — signal should change when weight is applied/removed
- Open-circuit condition: very high resistance or no signal (often >10 kΩ or no voltage present)
- Short-to-ground: signal near 0 V; short-to-battery: signal near battery voltage (check for both fault conditions)
- CAN/Central module systems: occupant status updates typically at low frequency (e.g., 1–10 Hz) — verify with factory scan tool
- Resistance checks (if applicable): refer to vehicle service data; expect a finite resistance across sensor elements, not infinite
Diagnostic algorithm
- Connect a qualified scan tool and record DTCs, live data, and any freeze-frame information.
- Clear the code, then attempt to recreate the fault to verify it returns and gather live-data behavior.
- Visually inspect the passenger seat cushion area, sensor mat, and connectors for damage or moisture.
- With key on (engine off) verify presence of reference voltage and ground at the sensor connector using a multimeter. Note values.
- Observe the sensor signal (or occupant status) while applying/removing a known weight to the seat. Confirm the signal changes as expected.
- Perform continuity/resistance checks on the sensor signal, reference and ground circuits between the sensor connector and the airbag/occupant detection module. Repair any opens or shorts.
- Wiggle the harness and connectors while watching live data to find intermittent faults; inspect for chafing where the harness crosses the seat frame.
- If electrical checks are good but the signal does not respond correctly, remove and bench-test or replace the sensor mat/load cell per service procedure, or replace the occupant detection module if indicated by module diagnostics.
- After repairs, clear DTCs and verify correct operation through live data and by confirming passenger airbag enable/disable logic and warning lamp behavior.
- If intermittent or unclear, consult vehicle-specific service manual and wiring diagrams; consider dealer/OEM diagnostic procedures for SRS and occupant detection systems.
Likely causes
- Loose or corroded connector at the sensor or control module
- Open or short in the signal or reference wire caused by seat frame rub-through
- Defective sensor element in the seat cushion
- Water intrusion into the seat sensor assembly
- Faulty occupant detection/control module
Fault status
Status
Passenger seat occupant detection sensor circuit malfunction — may affect passenger airbag and seatbelt reminder operation.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 0.5-2 hours
Similar codes
Repair manuals
Brands with available manuals
9,390
The library contains 9,390 repair and diagnostic manuals. Choose a brand to open the full manual tree by year, model and trim.
Your experience will help others
+100 karma for a short comment :)
Was this AI description helpful?
Your feedback helps improve AI descriptions.
👍 Like
0
👎 Dislike
0
Send to email
