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B16E011

This DTC indicates an abnormally low-resistance connection (short circuit) between the signal circuit of the left rear side impact sensor (SIS) in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and the vehicle body ground (GND) — Qin Plus

Safety System

This DTC indicates an abnormally low-resistance connection (short circuit) between the signal circuit of the left rear side impact sensor (SIS) in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and the vehicle body ground (GND).

Under normal operating conditions, the impact sensor sends a specific voltage signal (typically a PWM or resistor divider signal) to the SRS control unit (ACU) to indicate its status.

When a short to ground occurs, the ACU detects the circuit voltage remaining at or near 0V and a resistance well below the standard range (typically <1Ω), identifying a short-to-ground fault.

This fault causes the SRS to enter fail-safe mode.

The system illuminates the airbag fault warning lamp and disables the left rear side airbag and curtain airbag deployment functions to prevent accidental deployment caused by the short circuit.

In a severe side-impact collision, the affected airbags may fail to deploy normally, posing a major safety hazard.

The B16E011 fault code on the Qin Plus indicates a short to ground in the left rear side impact sensor circuit for the SRS airbag system. This is a high-severity safety issue because the left rear side and curtain airbags may be disabled and may not deploy in a crash. Common causes include damaged wiring insulation near body metal or moisture inside the sensor. Visit an authorised dealer for diagnosis and repair. Typical repair cost data is available from recorded cases.
3
Cases Logged
5
Causes
Likely Causes — Qin Plus
  • 1Worn or damaged insulation on the left rear crash sensor wiring harness causes the wire to short to vehicle body metal parts (commonly where the harness passes sharp edges or retaining clips inside the sill trim panel).
  • 2Seal failure of the internal electronic components in the crash sensor body allows moisture intrusion, causing a short to ground on the printed circuit board (PCB).
  • 3Water ingress, corrosion, or bent pins in the sensor connector (usually located near the C-pillar or rear seat) causing a short circuit between the signal and ground terminals.
  • 4A rear-end collision damaged the wiring harness without completely severing it, and improper insulation during repair caused a hidden short to ground.
  • 5Internal fault in the SRS control unit (ACU) signal processing circuit causing it to misinterpret the sensor signal (less common; confirm after ruling out wiring harness issues).
What To Do
  • 1
    Safety Preparation: Disconnect the 12V battery negative terminal and wait at least 90 seconds to fully discharge the SRS system capacitor and prevent accidental airbag deployment.
  • 2
    Visual inspection: Remove the left rear sill trim panel and the lower C-pillar trim panel. Inspect the crash sensor (usually located behind the C-pillar interior trim panel or near the left rear longitudinal beam) and wiring harness for obvious damage, crushing, or signs of water ingress.
  • 3
    Connector inspection: Disconnect the left rear impact sensor connector. Inspect the terminals for corrosion, deformation, or water ingress. Measure the resistance to ground at the signal pin on the wiring harness side of the connector. The resistance must be greater than 10kΩ (infinite). If the resistance is too low, the wiring harness is shorted to ground.
  • 4
    Harness continuity check: Use a multimeter to measure harness continuity and ground insulation between the sensor and the ACU. Closely inspect the insulation integrity where the harness passes through body sheet metal holes and retaining clips.
  • 5
    Sensor inspection: Measure the resistance between the collision sensor signal terminal and the ground terminal (refer to the workshop manual for standard values; normal resistance falls within a specific range, while a short circuit reads close to 0Ω). If abnormal, replace the sensor.
  • 6
    Repair or replace: Repair the damaged wiring harness (use heat-shrink tubing or replace the harness section) or replace the left rear crash sensor assembly. Verify the installation torque meets the specification (typically 8-10 N·m).
  • 7
    System reset: Reconnect the battery. Use the VDS2000/3000 diagnostic tool to clear the fault code. Perform the SRS system self-check. Confirm B16E011 does not return and the instrument cluster airbag warning light turns off.
Real-World Cases
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Water ingress into the left rear impact sensor connector caused a short to ground on the BYD Qin EV.

✓
After wading, the airbag warning light came on the instrument cluster. Retrieved DTC B16E011. Found the left rear impact sensor connector seal below the C-pillar had deteriorated, allowing water ingress that shorted the signal terminal to ground. Drained the connector, applied conductive anti-corrosion compound, and replaced the seal. Fault cleared.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Damaged wiring harness insulation after accident repair caused an intermittent short circuit in a BYD E2.

✓
The left rear of the vehicle previously sustained minor collision damage. After repairs at an independent workshop, DTC B16E011 appeared intermittently. Inspection found the wiring harness at the left rear chassis rail poorly secured and chafing against a metal bracket, wearing through the insulation and causing intermittent short-to-earth faults on bumpy roads. Rewrapping the harness and adjusting its mounting position permanently resolved the fault.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD E3 left rear collision sensor internal PCB short circuit fault

✓
No accident history. After driving in rain, the airbag warning light illuminated constantly with DTC B16E011. Inspected wiring harness — no damage. Measured resistance from sensor connector harness side to ground — normal. Determined internal electronic component seal failure in the sensor caused a short circuit. Replaced left rear impact sensor and performed system calibration. Fault cleared.
Original source ↗
Other Qin Plus Fault Codes
B1108For 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.B110913DTC B110913 indicates an open signal circuit for the PM2.5 rapid detector (in-cabin air quality sensor). This sensor typically mounts inside the air conditioning system intake duct. It monitors in-cabin PM2.5 concentration in real time and provides data to the automatic air conditioning system for intelligent control of the air purification function. The BYD diagnostic protocol uses sub-code '13' to specifically indicate an open signal circuit. Although this fault theoretically affects a comfort feature, BYD Qin series vehicles classify it as a Level 3 (severe) fault. This classification occurs because the air conditioning system interacts with the battery thermal management system (e.g., monitoring battery cooling intake air quality). The fault can disable the automatic air conditioning mode and prevent the air purification function from operating. In extreme cases, it affects the battery compartment intake air quality assessment, triggering the 'repair immediately' strategy.B110BDTC B110B indicates a fault in the internal air pump (sampling pump) of the PM2.5 air quality detector. This pump draws cabin or outside air into the PM2.5 sensor detection chamber, enabling the laser scattering sensor to measure real-time particulate matter concentration. The air conditioning controller (or BCM) sets this DTC upon detecting an open or short circuit in the pump drive circuit, or abnormal current caused by a seized pump motor. This fault disables the "Green Clean" system, causes the instrument cluster air quality display to read abnormally or disappear, and disables the automatic fresh air/recirculation switching function. It does not affect the vehicle powertrain or core thermal management functions.B173A1ADTC B173A1A indicates the right middle-row side airbag (typically located on the side of the right second-row seat or inside the C-pillar trim panel) igniter circuit resistance measures 0 Ω. In the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), normal airbag igniter resistance ranges between 2.0 and 5.0 Ω. A resistance of 0 Ω indicates a short to ground or a short between circuit wires, preventing the Airbag Control Unit (ACU) from establishing a normal monitoring circuit. This safety-critical fault prevents the airbag from deploying during a collision, continuously illuminates the instrument panel SRS warning lamp, and may force the entire airbag system into fail-safe mode.B173BDTC B173B indicates an abnormal electric A/C compressor speed feedback signal or a communication fault between the compressor controller and the motor. In BYD new energy models (e.g., Tang, Song, Qin, and Yuan series), this DTC belongs to the HVAC subsystem within the Body Control system and specifically involves the electric compressor closed-loop control circuit. The ECU sets this DTC when the compressor controller (IPM) fails to receive a valid pulse signal from the Hall speed sensor for more than 3 continuous seconds, or when the deviation between the detected actual speed and the target commanded speed exceeds the calibrated threshold (typically >500 rpm). This fault forces the A/C system into fail-safe mode and stops compressor operation. Symptoms include a complete lack of cooling, intermittent cooling, or a sharp decrease in cooling performance. The instrument cluster A/C warning lamp may also illuminate. Prolonged operation with this fault can degrade high-voltage system insulation or cause controller overcurrent damage.
Common problems reported for Qin Plus →Qin Plus overview →
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.