B1645

DTC B1645 indicates the driver-side seat belt pretensioner squib circuit resistance measures 0 Ω or close to 0 Ω, confirming a short circuit — Qin Plus

Safety System

DTC B1645 indicates the driver-side seat belt pretensioner squib circuit resistance measures 0 Ω or close to 0 Ω, confirming a short circuit.

The pretensioner is a critical SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) component.

During a collision, it fires the squib to rapidly tighten the seat belt and secure the occupant in the seat.

A 0 Ω resistance typically indicates an internal short circuit in the pretensioner squib, a wiring harness short to ground, bridged connector terminals, or a faulty internal driver circuit in the SRS control module.

This fault forces the SRS into fail-safe mode and continuously illuminates the instrument panel airbag warning light.

In a collision, the affected pretensioner will fail to deploy.

This condition may also disrupt normal airbag deployment logic, creating a severe safety hazard.

4
Cases Logged
5
Causes
  • 1Pretensioner igniter internal short circuit: Moisture ingress, aging, or manufacturing defects cause an internal bridge wire short circuit in the seat belt retractor pretensioner unit.
  • 2Wiring harness short to ground: Floor wiring harness chafes near the seat slide rail, shorting the pretensioner power wire or signal wire to body ground.
  • 3Connector fault: Water ingress into the yellow SRS connector under the seat (usually located at the B-pillar or seat base), terminal corrosion, short circuit between terminals, or incorrect connection during repairs causing terminal bridging.
  • 4Internal SRS ECU fault: Airbag control module internal pretensioner drive circuit breakdown or sampling circuit fault causes a false resistance reading of 0.
  • 5Improper seat modification or repair: Tools pierced the wiring harness or crushed the connector during seat cover replacement, seat heater retrofitting, or seat adjustment, causing a short circuit.
  • 1
    Safety Preparation: Disconnect the 12V battery negative terminal and wait at least 90 seconds (or the time specified in the repair manual) to allow the SRS backup capacitor to fully discharge, preventing accidental airbag deployment. Wear an anti-static wrist strap and disable the vehicle high-voltage system (for new energy vehicles).
  • 2
    Preliminary inspection: Visually check the instrument panel airbag warning light status. Use a diagnostic tool to read and record the complete fault codes. Confirm B1645 is a current fault (not a history fault). Inspect the yellow SRS connectors under the driver's seat and at the B-pillar for looseness, water ingress, corrosion, or foreign objects.
  • 3
    Circuit continuity test: Disconnect the SRS ECU connector (located at the center console or front bulkhead) and locate the driver pretensioner pins (usually D+ and D-). Use a digital multimeter to measure the resistance to ground at the harness-side terminals; the resistance should be greater than 1 MΩ. Measure the resistance between the two terminals. If the reading is 0 Ω, the wiring harness has a short circuit. Inspect the wiring along its route to locate the damaged point.
  • 4
    Pretensioner resistance measurement: Disconnect the pretensioner connector under the seat and directly measure the resistance of the pretensioner body. The normal value is 1.5-3.0Ω (refer to the vehicle repair manual for specifics). If the reading is 0Ω or close to 0Ω, the pretensioner body has an internal short circuit. Replace the seat belt retractor assembly (the manufacturer usually does not supply the pretensioner separately).
  • 5
    ECU-side verification: If the wiring harness and pretensioner unit are normal, check for deformed or backed-out SRS ECU connector terminals. Connect the pretensioner to the ECU using a dedicated harness instead of the original harness. If the fault disappears, the original harness has a hidden short circuit. If the fault remains, the SRS ECU has an internal fault.
  • 6
    Repair and Replacement: Repair damaged wiring harness sections (use heat-shrink tubing or replace the harness). Replace the damaged pretensioner or SRS ECU. Note: When replacing the pretensioner, install new retaining bolts (typically single-use) and tighten to the specified torque (usually 7-10 N·m).
  • 7
    System reset and test: Reconnect all connectors and the battery. Use the diagnostic tool to clear the fault codes. Perform an SRS system self-diagnosis and verify B1645 does not return. Slide the seat forward and backward, adjust the backrest, and simulate vehicle vibration to verify the fault does not recur. Finally, perform a seat belt function test to verify normal mechanical operation.
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

BYD Tang DM seat wiring harness wear caused B1645 fault

The vehicle came in with the airbag warning light on solid. Pulled DTC B1645 (driver pretensioner resistance 0 ohms). Found the wiring harness sheath damaged at the seat rail, with the black signal wire copper exposed and shorting to the seat frame. Repaired the damaged harness (re-wrapped and added protective sleeving), rerouted the harness to avoid interference with moving parts, and cleared the fault. Frequent electric seat adjustment on this model causes harness fatigue wear at the rails.
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

BYD Yuan EV: Water ingress in seat belt pretensioner connector causing short circuit

The customer reported the airbag warning light illuminated after wading. The diagnostic tool showed active DTC B1645. Removing the driver's seat revealed water stains and green corrosion inside the yellow SRS connector at the base. Resistance between the terminals measured 0.2 Ω. During wading, water seeped in through the carpet; the aged connector seal then allowed water entry. We cleaned the connector terminals using precision electrical cleaner and compressed air, replaced the waterproof seal, and applied sealant around the connector to improve waterproofing. The fault was resolved.
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

Internal short circuit in BYD Song MAX pretensioner

Replaced the front bumper after a minor collision; B1645 then set. Measured the resistance between the pretensioner connector terminals under the seat: 0 Ω. Disconnected the connector and measured the pretensioner body resistance: still 0 Ω. Determined the pretensioner internal bridge wire had fused, causing a short. Suspected cause: pretensioner energized during collision but did not fully detonate, or electrostatic damage during parts replacement. Replaced the driver-side seat belt retractor assembly (including pretensioner) and re-matched the SRS system. The warning light went out and system operation returned to normal.
BYD DTC AI AnalysisFrom Chinese market (translated)

BYD Qin Pro seat modification pinched wiring harness, causing short circuit.

The customer installed aftermarket seat ventilation and heating, after which the airbag warning light came on. Inspection found the wiring harness had not been secured properly during the modification. The seat frame pinched it, damaging the insulation and causing a direct short between the positive and negative wires. The pretensioner circuit measured 0 Ω, but the pretensioner unit itself was undamaged. Repaired the harness: cut out the damaged section, soldered the wires, and sealed the joints with heat-shrink tubing. Rerouted the harness and secured it with cable ties to the outside of the seat frame to prevent it being pinched again. Cleared the fault codes, and the system returned to normal.
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]