Airbags

B0001 — Driver Frontal Airbag Stage 1 Deployment Circuit Fault

Severity: high Drive with care, to a shop

What B0001 means

The SRS control module continuously checks the resistance of the circuit that fires the first stage of the driver's frontal airbag. B0001 is stored when that circuit is open, has high resistance, is shorted, or otherwise fails the check. The system treats the airbag as faulty and turns on the SRS light.

Symptoms

  • Airbag/SRS warning light is on
  • Driver airbag disabled or flagged as not ready
  • Code stored in the SRS module
  • Horn or steering wheel buttons not working if the clock spring is damaged
  • No engine or driveability problems

Possible causes

  1. Open circuit, high resistance or short in the driver airbag wiring
  2. Failed clock spring
  3. Corroded or loose connectors under the steering wheel or at the airbag
  4. Faulty driver airbag module (inflator/squib)
  5. Internal SRS control module fault or software problem
  6. Aftermarket steering wheel without a resistor/simulator

How to diagnose

  1. Scan the SRS module and review freeze frame and status data
  2. Ask about recent work on the wheel, seats or dash, or any collision
  3. Inspect connectors under the wheel, at the airbag and at the SRS module for corrosion and poor seating
  4. Disconnect the battery and wait the time specified by the maker, then check clock spring and wiring resistance against the wiring diagram (never apply tester current to the airbag)
  5. Check the circuit for shorts to ground or power
  6. Substitute a known-good clock spring for testing, following safety procedures
  7. After repair, clear the code and confirm the SRS light goes out and the code stays away

Common fixes

  • Repair wiring and replace damaged connectors
  • Replace the clock spring
  • Replace the driver airbag module
  • Replace or reprogram the SRS control module

Questions and answers

What does B0001 mean?

It means a fault in the circuit that fires stage 1 of the driver's frontal airbag. The SRS module can't be sure the airbag will deploy, so it keeps it disabled.

Can I remove and test the airbag myself?

It's risky because accidental deployment can cause injury. Only work on it after disconnecting the battery and waiting the specified time, or have a professional do it.

Why is the SRS light on after a steering wheel swap?

Often a clock spring connector isn't plugged in or is damaged, or an aftermarket wheel lacks the needed resistor. Check connections and parts compatibility.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.