Airbags

B00C8 — Passenger Seat Occupant Position Sensor B Fault (Subfault)

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What B00C8 means

The airbag control module constantly reads sensors in the passenger seat to work out who is sitting there and how. It uses that information to decide whether the passenger airbag should be enabled and how forcefully it should deploy. B00C8 means the signal from occupant position sensor B is out of range or its circuit is faulty.

Symptoms

  • Airbag (SRS) warning light is on
  • Passenger airbag status light is flashing or on
  • Passenger airbag shows off with an adult seated
  • Passenger airbag shows on with an empty seat or child
  • Code returns after being cleared

Possible causes

  1. Failed occupant position sensor B in the seat
  2. Open or short in the sensor wiring, often under the seat
  3. Poor connection or corrosion at the sensor or module connector
  4. Harness damaged by seat movement or interior cleaning
  5. Faulty airbag or occupant classification module
  6. Low system voltage or weak battery

How to diagnose

  1. Scan all SRS codes with a tool that supports airbag systems and note the freeze frame data
  2. Check battery voltage and ground condition
  3. Inspect the harness and connector under the passenger seat for damage, moisture and pinching
  4. Look for objects under the seat and for aftermarket seat covers or heaters
  5. With the battery disconnected and the proper wait time observed, test the connector and sensor circuit resistance per the factory wiring diagram
  6. View live sensor data with the seat empty and occupied
  7. Clear the code and road test to see if it returns
  8. If the circuit is good, test the control module

Common fixes

  • Clean the terminals and secure the connector
  • Repair or replace the damaged section of harness
  • Replace occupant position sensor B
  • Replace the airbag or occupant classification module, with programming and calibration
  • Perform the required system calibration after repair

Questions and answers

Can I drive with code B00C8?

Yes, but front passenger protection may not work correctly. Keep children out of the front seat and fix it promptly.

Why did the code appear after cleaning or adding a seat cover?

Sensitive wiring and connectors run under the seat. They can be bumped, unplugged or wetted, and covers can distort the sensor signal.

Can I just clear the code?

You can, but if the cause remains it will return. The passenger airbag may also stay in the wrong mode, so it needs proper diagnosis.

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.