AU
B160A

DTC B160A indicates the driver front airbag (DAB) ignition circuit resistance is 0 ohms, representing a short circuit — Atto 3

Safety System

DTC B160A indicates the driver front airbag (DAB) ignition circuit resistance is 0 ohms, representing a short circuit.

Normally, the airbag squib has a standard resistance of 2-5 ohms.

When the SRS ECU detects circuit resistance near 0 Ω, it identifies a short to ground, short to power, or internal short in the airbag module.

This safety-critical fault prevents normal airbag deployment during a collision or causes accidental deployment.

A 0-ohm resistance typically indicates an internal ribbon cable short in the clock spring (spiral cable), damaged harness insulation shorting to ground, or an internal igniter short within the airbag module.

5
Cases Logged
5
Causes
Likely Causes — Atto 3
  • 1Worn or broken internal flat cable in the clock spring (spiral cable) causing a short circuit: Long-term steering wheel rotation repeatedly bends the internal ribbon cable at its limit positions. This damages the insulation or breaks the conductor, causing a short to ground. This is the most common root cause of this fault code.
  • 2Airbag module internal igniter short circuit: The resistance wire in the airbag internal igniter cartridge shorts to the housing, or an internal bridge wire breaks, causing direct contact between the two terminals.
  • 3Harness damage or short to ground: Chafing, crushing, or rodent bites damage the harness insulation between the SRS ECU and the clock spring (especially near the steering column), causing a short to the vehicle body metal.
  • 4Connector water ingress or terminal short circuit: Water ingress, oxidation, or deformation of the driver-side airbag connector (G10) or clock spring connector causes a short circuit between terminals.
  • 5SRS ECU internal drive circuit fault: A damaged ECU internal monitoring circuit or drive chip generates a false short circuit fault (relatively rare; consider only after ruling out the preceding mechanical faults).
What To Do
  • 1
    Safety Preparation: Turn the vehicle OFF, disconnect the negative battery terminal, and wait at least 90 seconds for the SRS backup power supply to fully discharge to prevent accidental airbag deployment during repair.
  • 2
    Fault confirmation: Connect the BYD dedicated diagnostic tool (VDS or ED400), access the SRS system to read the fault codes, confirm B160A is a current fault (Current DTC), and record the freeze frame data.
  • 3
    Visual inspection: Check the driver airbag connector G10 below the steering wheel for looseness, backed-out pins, water ingress, or oxidation. Check the clock spring housing for damage or burn marks.
  • 4
    Circuit isolation test: Disconnect the clock spring from the airbag module. Use a dedicated airbag system tester (or an alternative setup with a 2.2kΩ resistor in series) to measure the resistance on the wiring harness side. Determine whether the short circuit is located before or after the clock spring.
  • 5
    Clock spring inspection: Remove the steering wheel (use a steering wheel puller; do not strike). Remove the clock spring and measure the resistance between its pins and to ground. Rotate the steering shaft to simulate different steering angles and check if the resistance remains 0Ω or is unstable.
  • 6
    Harness continuity test: If the clock spring is normal, measure the harness between the SRS ECU connector and the clock spring. Check for shorts to ground, focusing on the harness sleeve near the steering column.
  • 7
    Component replacement: Replace the confirmed faulty clock spring (center and lock it before installation, and align the steering wheel to the marks) or the airbag module. Never use a multimeter to directly measure the airbag inflator resistance.
  • 8
    System reset and verification: Reconnect all connectors, connect the battery, and turn the ignition switch to ON. Use the diagnostic tool to clear fault codes, perform the SRS system self-check procedure, and confirm the airbag warning light turns off and the system has no fault codes.
Real-World Cases
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

Internal short circuit in BYD S6 clock spring caused DTC B160A

✓
A 2015 BYD S6 had the airbag warning light on. The diagnostic tool read code B160A-00 (driver front airbag resistance 0). The vehicle had no accident history, but the steering wheel had recently been removed and modified. After disconnecting the battery, the technician unplugged the driver airbag connector and measured nearly 0Ω between the harness terminals, confirming a short. Inspection found the clock spring's internal ribbon cable worn from long-term rotation, causing a short at certain steering angles. The technician fitted a genuine replacement clock spring (aligning the marks during installation), cleared the fault codes, and the system returned to normal.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

BYD Song DM clock spring terminals oxidised, horn inoperative

✓
The airbag warning light on a BYD Song DM illuminated suddenly while driving, and the horn became intermittent. Diagnostics showed DTC B160A-00. Since the horn and airbag share the clock spring, this pointed to an internal clock spring fault. Inspection revealed oxidation on the G10 connector terminals; the internal flat cable showed unstable resistance when rotated, indicating an intermittent short circuit. Cleaning the terminals and replacing the clock spring assembly resolved the fault. Repair tip: Make sure the new clock spring is centered and locked before installation, then release the lock after installation.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

BYD Qin Pro clock spring damaged after accident repair

✓
A BYD Qin Pro came in with the airbag warning light on after front-end collision repairs. Retrieved DTC B160A-00. Previous repairs had involved steering wheel removal and multifunction button replacement. Found the driver airbag connector not fully seated; the locking tab was not completely engaged. Reseated the connector, but the fault persisted. Further testing found an internal short in the clock spring—resistance measured 0 ohms. Upon inquiry, learned that the steering wheel had been turned improperly during the collision repairs, overwinding the clock spring's internal coil and causing it to fail. Replaced the clock spring. Using a diagnostic tool, configured and coded the SRS, then performed sensor calibration. Fault cleared.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

BYD S7 clock spring worn after long-term use

✓
A BYD S7 used for 5 years and driven 80,000 km had its airbag warning light change from intermittent flashing to constantly on, storing DTC B160A-00. The driver-side airbag harness from the G10 connector to the clock spring was normal, and the airbag module pins showed no faults. A close look at the clock spring found that long-term use had worn and fractured the internal flat cable at the steering limit positions, causing a short circuit (0 ohms) at certain angles. Replaced the clock spring with an OEM unit. During the repair, centred the steering wheel and made alignment marks. After reconnecting the battery, ran a system self-test and the warning light went out.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

Water ingress into the BYD Tang DM connector caused a short circuit.

✓
A BYD Tang DM's airbag warning light came on after driving through water. The diagnostic scanner reported DTC B160A-00. Inspection found water inside the driver-side airbag connector G10. Water traces between the terminals caused a short circuit; resistance measured close to 0Ω. Dried the connector with compressed air, cleaned terminal oxides, and applied special conductive grease. Also checked the clock spring sealing condition and confirmed no internal water ingress. Reconnected the connector, cleared the fault code, and resolved the fault. Recommend checking the vehicle's water sealing after wading and replacing waterproof seal rings if necessary.
Other Atto 3 Fault Codes
P0A0DBattery Energy Control Module Requested MIL IlluminationP0AA6Hybrid Battery Voltage System Isolation FaultP1A00Drive Motor "A" Performance — BYD proprietaryB1108For the BYD Song MAX (2017–2019), DTC B1108 indicates a short circuit in the PM2.5 air quality detection module (dust sensor) or its wiring harness. The sensor uses laser scattering to detect in-cabin and outside PM2.5 concentrations and transmits data to the HVAC ECU via the LIN bus or an analog signal. Short circuit conditions include: 1) Sensor power supply wire (+5V/+12V) shorted to ground 2) Signal wire shorted to power or ground 3) Short circuit in the sensor's internal photoelectric detection circuit This fault prevents the automatic climate control from switching between fresh air and recirculation based on air quality. The system enters fail-safe mode (typically forced recirculation). Severe short-circuit current can destroy the HVAC ECU sampling circuit. The system classifies this as a Level 3 severe fault and restricts vehicle operation to prevent electrical fires or controller damage. For other BYD models (such as the Qin EV, E5, and Song DM), B1108 indicates a driver-side sunload sensor fault, reflecting differences in DTC definitions across models.B110811This DTC indicates a short circuit in the air conditioning system PM2.5 air quality sensor (rapid detector). Specifically, abnormal continuity exists between the sensor power supply circuit or signal output circuit and body ground or battery positive. This causes the control module (ACU/air conditioning controller) to detect abnormal current or a voltage signal outside the valid range (typically 0V or supply voltage). The PM2.5 sensor monitors internal and external particulate concentrations, providing the data the automatic air conditioning system uses to switch between fresh air and recirculation modes. A short circuit disables the air quality monitoring function. This fault may force the air conditioning system into recirculation protection mode and trigger related thermal management system faults, as the air conditioning system acts as a key actuator in vehicle thermal management. In severe cases, the short circuit current can damage the internal sampling circuit of the air conditioning controller or overheat the wiring harness.
Data confidence: Official This information is for reference only. Always consult a qualified technician for diagnosis and repair. Do not attempt high-voltage system repairs yourself. Sources: [1]