Body, generic

B0061 Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

B0061 covers the belt tension sensor of the front passenger seat, a key input for passenger occupant classification. FMVSS 208 lets carmakers meet the child-seat rules for advanced airbags by fitting a system that automatically switches the passenger airbag off for small occupants. A child seat strapped in tightly presses into the cushion and can look as heavy as an adult on the weight sensor; the tension sensor exposes that. Delphi's patent lets the occupant module subtract belt load from seat weight and suppress the airbag above a calibrated pull of about 30 lb, and the sensor reports out-of-range values as faults. No carmaker documents B0061 publicly with this meaning. Saab 9-3 modules use it for a low driver curtain loop resistance.

Likely causes

Loose or corroded plug at the passenger belt tension sensor
Tension sensor reading out of range or stuck
Input fault in the occupant classification or airbag module

Symptoms

  • Airbag warning lamp on
  • Passenger airbag status indicator may show an unexpected on or off state
  • A tightly fastened child seat may not be recognised reliably
  • Safety note: the sensor plug sits beside the passenger seat near airbag and pretensioner plugs; only unplug it with the battery disconnected and the wait time observed

Repair estimate

DifficultyShop_onlyWorkshop job
Parts and labour€80–600
Time0.5–2 h

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

Parts involved

seat belt tension sensoroccupant detection modulesrs seat wiringsrs control module

Related codes

B0060B0052B00A0

References: law.cornell.edu, patents.google.com, patents.google.com, ctscorp.com.