B1650-00

DTC B1650-00 indicates the passenger seat belt pretensioner circuit resistance falls below the normal threshold set by the SRS control module (typically <2 — Atto 8

Safety System

DTC B1650-00 indicates the passenger seat belt pretensioner circuit resistance falls below the normal threshold set by the SRS control module (typically <2.0Ω; normal range is 2.0-3.0Ω).

The pretensioner contains a pyrotechnic squib.

The ECU continuously monitors the squib resistance using a low-current signal.

Low resistance typically indicates a short to ground in the squib circuit, a ground fault from damaged wiring insulation, an internal connector short, or an internal short within the pretensioner component.

This fault forces the SRS system into a degraded mode, meaning the pretensioner may fail to deploy during a collision (seat belt fails to tighten) or may deploy inadvertently (unexpected firing).

ISO 15031 and BYD safety system design classify this as a Level 2 safety fault requiring immediate repair.

5
Cases Logged
5
Causes
  • 1Wiring harness wear under the seat or inside the B-pillar causing a short to ground: Frequent fore-and-aft adjustment of the front passenger seat or passenger foot movement wears through the harness insulation, allowing the copper core to contact the vehicle body ground.
  • 2Pretensioner internal component short circuit: Moisture ingress, aging, or a manufacturing defect in the squib causes a short circuit in the internal resistance wire, reducing the resistance to <1.0Ω.
  • 3Connector short circuit: Bent pins, backed-out pins, or corrosion from water ingress in the yellow SRS connector (usually located under the seat or inside the B-pillar trim) causing a short circuit between pins or to ground.
  • 4SRS ECU detection circuit fault: A faulty internal ECU A/D conversion circuit or sampling resistor causes the ECU to incorrectly read the pretensioner resistance as too low.
  • 5Improper modification: Splicing into the SRS wiring harness when adding seat heating, ventilation, or massage functions causes abnormal parallel resistance or a short circuit.
  • 1
    Safe power-down: Turn off the ignition switch, disconnect the negative battery terminal, and wait at least 90 seconds to fully discharge the SRS capacitor and prevent accidental airbag deployment.
  • 2
    Fault confirmation and freeze frame recording: Use the VDS2000/VDS1000 diagnostic tool to read the fault code, confirm B1650-00 is a current fault (Active), and record freeze frame data (mileage, temperature, voltage, etc.).
  • 3
    Visual inspection: Remove the front passenger seat (if necessary) and the lower B-pillar trim. Inspect the yellow SRS connector (usually marked P Pretensioner) for looseness, water ingress, corrosion, or physical damage. Inspect the wiring harness for signs of crushing or abrasion.
  • 4
    Resistance measurement (ECU side disconnected): Disconnect the SRS ECU connector. Measure the pretensioner circuit resistance on the wiring harness side using a multimeter. If <2.0Ω, the fault is in the wiring harness or pretensioner. If normal (2.0-3.0Ω), the fault may be in the ECU.
  • 5
    Insulation resistance test: Measure the insulation resistance between the pretensioner wiring harness and body ground. The value must be >1MΩ. If the resistance is low (<10kΩ), a short to ground exists. Inspect the wiring harness section by section to locate the damage.
  • 6
    Pretensioner unit test (Caution): Disconnect the pretensioner connector and measure the resistance directly across the pretensioner plug terminals. Standard resistance is 2.0 ± 0.3 Ω. If <1.5 Ω, replace the seat belt assembly (do not replace the pretensioner separately).
  • 7
    Connector pin inspection: Disassemble the SRS connector. Check the shorting bar for binding causing a short circuit. Check the pins for bending, oxidation, or foreign matter.
  • 8
    Fault repair and replacement: Repair the damaged wiring harness (solder and apply heat-shrink tubing; do not wrap with electrical tape), replace the short-circuited seat belt assembly, or replace the faulty ECU.
  • 9
    System verification: Restore all connections, connect the battery, switch the ignition to ON, perform the electrical self-check, and confirm the airbag fault warning lamp turns off. Use a diagnostic tool to clear the fault codes and perform the SRS system function test (simulated crash signal test, without triggering actual ignition).
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

Qin Pro front passenger seat wiring harness chafed, short to ground

Symptom: Airbag warning light on instrument cluster stays on. Read DTC B1650-00 (passenger pretensioner resistance too low). Diagnosis: Checked wiring harness under passenger seat. Found that the seat rail fixing clip had chafed through the insulation of the yellow SRS harness over time, causing the copper conductor to short to the seat frame. Measured resistance: 0.8Ω. Repair: Cut out the damaged section and repaired it by soldering in high-temperature wire. Insulated the repair with double-layer heat shrink tubing. Rerouted the harness and added a protective sleeve. Cleared fault codes. Fault resolved.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

Song MAX front passenger pretensioner internal short circuit

Symptoms: After sitting overnight, the airbag warning light stayed on at startup. No collision history. DTC B1650-00. Diagnosis: Disconnected the passenger side seatbelt pretensioner connector. Measured pretensioner internal resistance: 1.2 Ω (low). Measured harness ground resistance: >1 MΩ (normal). Determined the internal igniter had shorted from moisture ingress. Repair: Replaced the passenger side seatbelt assembly (includes pretensioner). Torqued the pretensioner mounting bolts to 9–11 N·m. Cleared fault codes. System returned to normal.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

Yuan EV passenger-side B-pillar connector water ingress short circuit

Symptoms: After rainfall, started the vehicle and the airbag warning light illuminated. The scan tool displayed B1650-00. Diagnosis: Checked the SRS connector located beneath the B-pillar and found the connector seal had deteriorated. Rainwater ingress caused a short circuit between the pins, measuring 1.5Ω. After cleaning the water stains, the resistance returned to normal, but the connector had oxidised. Repair: Replaced the SRS connector (yellow waterproof plug), crimped the terminals using a special crimping tool, rewrapped the joint with waterproof tape, and cleared the fault.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

Tang DM: Pretensioner resistance abnormal after collision

Symptoms: After a low-speed impact (front bumper damaged), the airbags did not deploy but the warning light came on. DTCs B1650-00 and B1651-00 stored. Diagnosis: The impact sensor triggered but didn’t reach the airbag deployment threshold. The impact caused the passenger-side pretensioner’s internal resistance wire to shift and short-circuit. Resistance measured 1.8 Ω. Repair: Replaced the passenger seatbelt assembly (the pretensioner is single-use; replace if triggered or damaged). Used a scan tool to perform SRS system configuration and calibration, then cleared the fault codes.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

BYD Qin EV450 ECU falsely reporting low resistance

Symptoms: Intermittent B1650-00, occurring when cold and disappearing when warm. Wiring harness and pretensioner measurements were normal. Diagnosis: Used an oscilloscope to check the SRS ECU sampling signal. Found internal reference voltage drift in the ECU, causing it to misjudge the pretensioner resistance as too low under cold conditions. Solution: Replaced the airbag control module (SRS ECU) and performed online matching programming (writing the vehicle VIN and configuration codes). This completely resolved the fault.
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]