Buick Regal: DTC B0014, B0021, B0031, or B0038

Diagnostic Instructions

• Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
• Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
• Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC B0014 01

Driver Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Short to Battery

DTC B0014 02

Driver Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Short to Ground

DTC B0014 04

Driver Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Open

DTC B0014 0D

Driver Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop High Resistance

DTC B0014 0E

Driver Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Low Resistance

DTC B0021 01

Passenger Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Short to Battery

DTC B0021 02

Passenger Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Short to Ground

DTC B0021 04

Passenger Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Open

DTC B0021 0D

Passenger Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop High Resistance

DTC B0021 0E

Passenger Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Low Resistance

DTC B0031 01

Left Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Short to Battery

DTC B0031 02

Left Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Short to Ground

DTC B0031 04

Left Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Open

DTC B0031 0D

Left Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop High Resistance

DTC B0031 0E

Left Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Low Resistance

DTC B0038 01

Right Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Short to Battery

DTC B0038 02

Right Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Short to Ground

DTC B0038 04

Right Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Open

DTC B0038 0D

Right Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop High Resistance

DTC B0038 0E

Right Rear Seat Side Air Bag Deployment Loop Low Resistance

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit/System Description

During a side or frontal crash of sufficient force, the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) will allow current to flow through the deployment loop in order to deploy an air bag. There are 2 shorting bars used within the connector that will short the control circuits together when the connector is disconnected. This will help to prevent unwanted deployment of the air bag or retractor pretensioner during servicing.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Ignition voltage is between 9 - 16 V.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

B0014 01, B0021 01, B0031 01, B0038 01

The air bag control circuit is shorted to voltage for 2 seconds.

B0014 02, B0021 02, B0031 02, B0038 02

The air bag control circuit is shorted to ground for 2 seconds.

B0014 04, B0021 04, B0031 04, B0038 04

The air bag control circuit is open for 2 seconds.

B0014 0D, B0021 0D, B0031 0D, B0038 0D

The air bag deployment loop resistance is greater than 4.2 Ω for 2 seconds.

B0014 0E, B0021 0E, B0031 0E, B0038 0E

The air bag deployment loop resistance is less than 1.4 Ω for 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

• The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module requests the instrument cluster to illuminate the AIR BAG indicator.
• The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module will store a DTC, however if an event occurs the system will still attempt deployments.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

• The condition for setting the DTC no longer exists.
• A history DTC will clear once 100 malfunction-free ignition cycles have occurred.

Diagnostic Aid

NOTE: The following diagnostic aids apply for both current and history DTCs.

An incorrectly installed connector position assurance (CPA) or incorrectly seated connector can cause a shorting bar to short both control circuits together. Check the connectors and CPAs if a DTC with symptom byte 02 or 0E is set, to ensure the shorting bars are not causing the circuits to be shorted together. Shorting bars are used in the locations listed below:

• Front and rear seat side air bags
• Left and right roof rail air bags
• Inline harness connectors
• Harness side of the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module connector

Terminal fretting or incorrectly seated connector can cause an open/high resistance condition. Check the circuit terminals for fretting or incorrectly seated connector if a DTC with symptom byte 04 or 0D is set. DTCs of deployment loops which are in the seat can occur because of stress or damage to the harness due to seat movement. Move the seat to the full extent of travel while using the scan tool to observe deployment type loop parameters.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

SIR Wiring Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End View Index

Description and Operation

Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

• Circuit Testing
• Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
• Wiring Repairs
• Connector Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Refer to Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

EL-38125-580 Terminal Release Tool Kit

Circuit/System Verification

NOTE:

• Refer to SIR Service Precautions.
• Inspect all terminals for damage or corrosion when disconnecting connectors. Damage or corrosion in the following requires repair or replacement of the affected component/connector.
  • Seat side air bag
  • Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module
  • All wiring harness connectors
  • Inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module wiring harness connector
• The connector and connector position assurance (CPA) may seat independent of each other. Both the connector and CPA should seat with an audible and/or tactile click. The CPA isolates the shorting-bars within the connector allowing the deployment circuit to operate properly.
• If the condition is intermittent or cannot be duplicated, disconnect the connectors and add dielectric grease/lubricant (Nyogel 760G or equivalent, meeting GM specification 9986087). This procedure will correct the high resistance condition due to terminal fretting corrosion.

1. Verify the appropriate scan tool Deployment Loop Resistance parameters stay consistently between 2.1 - 4.0 Ω without any spikes or dropouts while moving the harness near each connector.

• F106 Seat Side Air Bag
• Any inline harness connector
• K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module
• If less than 2.1 Ω or greater than 4.0 Ω

Refer to Circuit/System Testing.

• If there are spikes or dropouts, perform the following:
• Inspect each connector terminal and harness for damage or corrosion and repair as necessary.
• Apply dielectric grease/lubricant (Nyogel 760G or equivalent, meeting GM specification 9986087) to each connector terminal.
• Ensure each connector and CPA is correctly seated.
• Go to next step: If between 2.1 - 4.0 Ω without any spikes or dropouts

2. All OK.

Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, scan tool disconnected, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate F106 Seat Side Air Bag.

2. Test for greater than 25 Ω between the control circuit terminals 1 and 2.

• If 25 Ω or less

1. Disconnect the X2 harness connector at the K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module.

NOTE: Some connectors may be equipped with shorting bars as a safety component to prevent accidental deployment. When testing on a connector with shorting bars, the shorting bars must be disabled to ensure accurate test results. Insert an appropriate pick from EL- 38125-580 and depress the shorting bars above the appropriate terminals. This will lift the shorting bar from the terminal and allow accurate test results. Take care not to damage the connector, shorting bar, or terminal when depressing the shorting bar.

2. Test for infinite resistance between the 2 control circuits.
   • If less than infinite resistance, repair the short between the 2 circuits.
   • If infinite resistance, replace the K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module.

• Go to next step: If greater than 25 Ω

3. Ignition ON.

4. Test for less than 11 V between each control circuit terminal listed below and ground:

• Control circuit terminal 1
• Control circuit terminal 2
• If 11 V or greater

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module, ignition ON.
2. Test for less than 1 V between the control circuit and ground.
   • If 1 V or greater, repair the short to voltage on the circuit.
   • If less than 1 V, replace the K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module.

• Go to next step: If less than 11 V

5. Ignition OFF.

6. Test for greater than 25 Ω between each control circuit terminal listed below and ground:

• Control circuit terminal 1
• Control circuit terminal 2
• If 25 Ω or less

1. Disconnect the X2 harness connector at the K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module.
2. Test for infinite resistance between the control circuit and ground.
   • If less than infinite resistance, repair the short to ground on the circuit.
   • If infinite resistance, replace the K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module.

• Go to next step: If greater than 25 Ω

7. Install a 3 A fused jumper wire between the control circuit terminals 1 and 2, ignition ON.

8. Verify the appropriate scan tool Deployment Loop Resistance parameter is less than 2 Ω.

• If 2 Ω or greater

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module.
2. Test for less than 2 Ω in each control circuit end to end.
   • If 2 Ω or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
   • If less than 2 Ω, replace the K36 Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module.

• Go to next step: If less than 2 Ω

9. Ignition OFF, connect the harness connector at the F106 Seat Side Air Bag, press in the CPA (if equipped) until an audible and/or tactile click is heard.

10. Ignition ON, clear DTCs. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC.

11. Verify DTC B0014, B0021, B0031, or B0038 is not set.

• If DTC B0014, B0021, B0031, or B0038 is set

Test or replace the F106 Seat Side Air Bag.

• Go to next step: If DTC B0014, B0021, B0031, or B0038 is not set

12. All OK.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the repair.

• Front Seat Outboard Seat Back Airbag Replacement
• Rear Seat Bolster Airbag Replacement
• Control Module References for inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module replacement, programming, and setup

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