Airbags

B00C2 — Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor C Fault (Subfault)

Severity: medium Safe to drive

What B00C2 means

The occupant classification system detects whether the front passenger seat holds an adult, a child or nobody, and uses that to decide if the passenger airbag should be enabled. B00C2 means the airbag control module found a fault in the circuit or signal of sensor C in the seat. As a result, the system can't reliably tell who is sitting there.

Symptoms

  • Airbag/SRS warning light on in the instrument cluster
  • Wrong passenger airbag ON/OFF indicator status
  • Passenger airbag shown as off with an adult in the seat
  • Fault appears after seat removal or work under the seat

Possible causes

  1. Failed passenger occupant classification sensor C in the seat
  2. Open or shorted wiring to sensor C
  3. Poor connection or corrosion at the connector under the seat
  4. Wiring damaged by seat movement or earlier repairs
  5. Faulty airbag or occupant classification module (less likely)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan all modules with an SRS-capable tool and note whether the code is current or stored, plus freeze frame data
  2. Inspect the harness and connector under the passenger seat for chafing, pinching, corrosion or a partly seated plug
  3. Check for objects, seat covers or heated pads on the seat that could interfere with the sensors
  4. Disconnect the battery and wait the time specified by the manufacturer before unplugging any SRS connector
  5. Test sensor C circuit continuity and resistance per the factory wiring diagram
  6. Compare sensor C live data with the seat empty and occupied
  7. Clear the code and see if it returns

Common fixes

  • Repair the wiring or replace the damaged connector for sensor C
  • Replace occupant classification sensor C (often sold with the seat bottom or mat, depending on design)
  • Replace the airbag or classification module if confirmed faulty
  • Clear codes and perform any required system calibration after repair

Questions and answers

Can I drive with code B00C2?

Yes, it does not affect how the car runs. But the passenger airbag may not work properly, so have it fixed soon.

Why is the airbag light on after seat work?

Most often a connector under the seat is not fully plugged in or the sensor wiring is damaged. Check the connectors and rescan for codes.

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.