DTC B1645 indicates the driver-side seat belt pretensioner squib circuit resistance measures 0 Ω or close to 0 Ω, confirming a short circuit — Seal 6 EV
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.
- 1Pretensioner squib 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: The floor wiring harness wears through near the seat slide rail, causing the pretensioner power wire or signal wire to short to body ground.
- 3Connector fault: Water ingress, terminal corrosion, or short circuit between terminals in the yellow SRS connector under the seat (usually located at the B-pillar or seat base), or incorrect connection during repairs causing terminal bridging.
- 4Internal SRS ECU fault: Airbag control module internal pretensioner drive circuit breakdown or sampling circuit fault, causing a false resistance reading of 0.
- 5Improper seat modification or repair: Tools piercing the wiring harness or crushing the connector during seat cover replacement, seat heater retrofitting, or seat adjustment, causing a short circuit.
- 1Safety preparation: Disconnect the 12V battery negative terminal and wait at least 90 seconds (or the time specified in the workshop manual) to fully discharge the SRS backup capacitor and prevent accidental airbag deployment. Wear an anti-static wrist strap and disable the vehicle high-voltage system (for new energy vehicles).
- 2Preliminary inspection: Visually check the instrument panel airbag warning light status. Use a diagnostic tool to read and record all fault codes. Verify 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.
- 3Circuit continuity test: Disconnect the SRS ECU connector (located at the center console or front bulkhead). Locate the driver pretensioner pins (usually D+ and D-). Use a digital multimeter to measure the resistance from the harness-side terminals to ground; the resistance must 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 the route to locate the damaged point.
- 4Pretensioner resistance measurement: Disconnect the pretensioner connector under the seat and directly measure the pretensioner body resistance. The normal value is 1.5-3.0 Ω (refer to the specific model repair manual). If the reading is 0 Ω or close to 0 Ω, the pretensioner body has an internal short circuit. Replace the seat belt retractor assembly (the pretensioner is usually not available separately).
- 5ECU-side verification: If the wiring harness and pretensioner are normal, inspect the SRS ECU connector terminals for deformation or backed-out pins. Connect the pretensioner to the ECU using a dedicated harness in place of the original harness. If the fault clears, this confirms a hidden short circuit in the original harness. If the fault persists, the SRS ECU has an internal fault.
- 6Repair and Replacement: Repair damaged wiring harness sections (use heat-shrink tubing or replace the harness), and replace the damaged pretensioner or SRS ECU. Note: When replacing the pretensioner, install new mounting bolts (typically non-reusable) and tighten to the specified torque (usually 7-10 N·m).
- 7System Reset and Testing: Reconnect all connectors and the battery. Use the diagnostic tool to clear the fault code. Perform an SRS system self-diagnosis to confirm DTC B1645 does not return. Slide the seat forward and backward, adjust the backrest, and simulate vehicle vibration. Verify the fault does not recur. Finally, perform a seat belt function test to confirm the mechanical parts operate normally.
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