Body, generic

B0016 Right Front/Passenger Frontal Deployment Loop Short to Ground

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

The public J2012 code lists skip B0016. General Motors used it in two generations with different meanings. In older modules, documented for the Saab 9-5 2006 and the Saab 9-3 up to 2011, B0016 means low resistance in the passenger frontal stage 1 loop: the reading drops under about 1.5 ohms, tolerance 0.2, for two seconds. That is close to the title, since a short to ground or between the leads also pulls the measured resistance down. In later GM modules (Saab 9-4X 2011) B0016 is the left roof rail airbag loop, with its own bytes for short to ground (02) and low resistance below 1.4 ohms (0E). GM bulletin 08-09-41-002H lists B0016 among codes caused by unseated connector locks on many 2005-14 GM models. The airbag lamp is on in every case.

Likely causes

Squib leads shorted together or to ground in the passenger frontal loop (older GM)
Connector position assurance lock not seated (GM 08-09-41-002H)
On later GM vehicles fault in the left roof rail airbag loop

Symptoms

  • Airbag warning lamp on
  • Passenger frontal airbag stage 1 (older GM) or left head airbag (later GM) may not deploy
  • Safety note: do not probe the airbag circuit yourself; unplug airbag connectors only with the battery disconnected and the stated wait time observed

Repair estimate

DifficultyShop_onlyWorkshop job
Parts and labour€80–1,200
Time0.5–4 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

passenger airbag modulesrs wiring

Related codes

B0017B0010B0006

References: saabwisonline.com, saabwisonline.com, static.nhtsa.gov.