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B1718-00

B1718-00 indicates a short to ground in the driver-side knee airbag ignition circuit — Seal U

Safety System

B1718-00 indicates a short to ground in the driver-side knee airbag ignition circuit.

In the BYD SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) architecture, this fault code indicates the airbag control module (ACM) detects the left knee airbag inflator circuit resistance is below the threshold (typically < 1.0Ω), identifying a short to ground.

This fault forces the entire airbag system into fail-safe mode and continuously illuminates the instrument cluster SRS warning lamp.

During a collision, the knee airbag may fail to deploy, and the fault may affect the deployment strategy for other front airbags.

This constitutes a hard fault.

Once confirmed, it remains active; cycling the ignition does not clear it.

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Cases Logged
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Causes
Likely Causes — Seal U
  • 1A worn or pinched knee airbag wiring harness damages the insulation and contacts the vehicle body metal frame, creating a short to ground. This commonly occurs after vehicle wading or chassis modifications.
  • 2Oxidation from water ingress or bent pins at the knee airbag connector (located under the driver-side dashboard, left of the steering column), causing a short circuit between the ignition circuit terminal and the ground terminal.
  • 3Short circuit in the knee airbag internal igniter, usually due to continuity between the internal bridge wire and the housing, or a manufacturing batch defect.
  • 4Internal fault in the SRS control module sampling circuit causing it to misjudge normal low resistance as a short circuit, or internal power transistor breakdown.
  • 5Improper repair after a vehicle accident left the airbag wiring harness incorrectly secured. Long-term friction against the instrument panel metal bracket caused a short circuit.
What To Do
  • 1
    Safety preparation: Switch the vehicle OFF, disconnect the 12V battery negative terminal, and wait at least 90 seconds to fully discharge the SRS capacitor. Wear an anti-static wrist strap to prevent accidental airbag deployment.
  • 2
    Fault confirmation: Use the BYD dedicated diagnostic tool (VDS2000/ED400) to read the fault code, confirm B1718-00 is a current fault (Active), and record the resistance value in the freeze frame data (typically 0Ω or a very low value).
  • 3
    Visual inspection: Remove the driver-side lower dashboard trim panel. Inspect the left knee airbag connector (yellow waterproof plug) for looseness, water ingress, or pin corrosion. Inspect the wiring harness for chafing where it passes through the dashboard frame.
  • 4
    Circuit measurement: Disconnect the backup battery, wait, then disconnect the knee airbag connector. Use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the two airbag-side wires and body ground (should be > 1 MΩ). Measure the resistance between the wires (normal: 2.0-5.0 Ω). Continuity to ground indicates a short circuit.
  • 5
    Component isolation: If the wiring harness is normal, install a dedicated airbag simulator (2.7Ω substitute resistor) in place of the knee airbag. Clear the fault code. If the fault disappears, replace the knee airbag assembly. If the fault persists, check the wiring harness continuity from the SRS ECU to the airbag.
  • 6
    Repair verification: After repairing the short circuit or replacing the faulty component, restore all connections and connect the battery. Use the diagnostic tool to clear the fault code and perform an SRS system self-check (System Check). Confirm B1718-00 changes to a history fault (History) and the SRS warning lamp turns off. Finally, perform a road test to verify.
  • 7
    System calibration: On some models, execute 'Configuration and Calibration' → 'SRS Configuration' on the diagnostic tool and write the correct airbag configuration code to ensure the system recognizes the knee airbag has returned to normal.
Real-World Cases
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Qin EV450 knee airbag short circuit repair after water ingress

✓
A 2018 BYD Qin EV450 presented with the SRS warning light staying on after heavy rain and wading through floodwater. Retrieved DTC B1718-00 (left knee airbag short to ground). Found severe water ingress in the driver-side carpet. The knee airbag connector (located under the steering column) contained water, and its pins had oxidised and blackened. Removed the connector and cleaned it with anhydrous ethanol. After blow-drying, measured the harness resistance to ground; it returned to normal (infinite). Replaced the connector with a new waterproof one and applied conductive grease. Cleared the DTC and the SRS system returned to normal. Recommend checking the vehicle floor seals to prevent future water ingress.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Qin 80: Aftermarket steering wheel installation damaged wiring harness

✓
A 2017 Qin 80 developed fault code B1718-00 one week after the owner fitted a racing steering wheel. Diagnosis revealed that during instrument panel removal for the modification, the edge of the instrument panel metal bracket cut through the insulation of the knee airbag wiring harness. This allowed copper strands to directly contact the vehicle frame, creating a short to ground. Wrapped the damaged section with insulation tape, rerouted the harness through dedicated corrugated tubing, and secured it to the wiring harness bracket to avoid contact with sharp edges. Cleared the fault codes and performed repeated bump tests; the fault did not return. Reminder: professionals must carry out any modifications involving the SRS system.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Replaced Qin 100 knee airbag assembly due to internal short circuit

✓
A 2017 Qin 100 with no accident or flood history had an intermittent SRS warning light. The scan tool showed B1718-00 appearing intermittently. We measured the knee airbag harness resistance to ground and found it normal, but shaking the airbag unit caused the resistance to jump to 0Ω. We removed the left knee airbag (located behind the storage compartment under the dashboard), substituted a dedicated simulator, and the fault disappeared. This confirmed an intermittent short in the airbag's internal igniter. We replaced the left knee airbag module with a new unit (part number: EG-5823010), performed system configuration writing, and resolved the fault. The old part was returned to the manufacturer, whose analysis found a defect in the internal bridge wire insulation.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Qin EV300 SRS ECU False Positive Fault Troubleshooting

✓
A 2017 Qin EV300 stored DTC B1718-00 following collision repairs. Replaced the knee airbag, but the fault persisted. Measured the airbag circuit resistance at 2.3 Ω (normal), yet the scan tool still indicated a short to ground. Suspected internal sampling circuit damage in the SRS ECU (located beneath the center console). Inspected the ECU connector and found no faults; measured continuity between the ECU and airbag wiring and found it normal. Tried replacing the SRS ECU with an identical unit (requires online immobilizer and VIN matching). After replacement, the fault cleared, confirming an internal control module failure. Note: Replacing the SRS ECU requires online programming and safety configuration writing using the BYD dedicated diagnostic tool.
Other Seal U Fault Codes
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.B110AThis DTC indicates interrupted CAN bus communication or abnormal data between the air conditioning control unit (ACU) and the PM2.5 air quality sensor. The PM2.5 sensor monitors particulate concentration inside and outside the vehicle and provides the basis for purification control in the automatic air conditioning system. The ACU triggers this fault if it fails to receive a valid CAN message from the sensor within the specified period (usually 100-500 ms), if message verification fails, or if the signal frame times out. Although this fault does not affect vehicle driving safety, it disables the automatic air purification function. The air conditioning system cannot automatically switch between recirculation and fresh air modes or activate the air purification mode based on air quality. A persistent fault may restrict the thermal management strategy.B110A02DTC B110A02 indicates the thermal management master control unit (HVAC ECU) or body control module (BCM) failed to receive valid CAN data frames from the PM2.5 air quality sensor over consecutive communication cycles (typically 500ms per cycle). The sensor typically mounts at the HVAC unit air inlet or behind the glove box and transmits real-time particulate concentration data (unit: μg/m³) to the HVAC controller via the CAN bus. The fault is essentially a communication link layer timeout. Potential causes include physical layer wiring faults, sensor power supply failures, sensor internal MCU lockup, or CAN network topology damage. Although this non-critical fault does not directly affect driving safety, it disables the intelligent air purification strategy and the automatic fresh air/recirculation switching function. In extreme cases, it triggers a thermal management system degraded mode, limiting compressor power or fixing the air flap position.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.B173712DTC B173712 indicates a short to power in the firing circuit of the right second-row side airbag module in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Specifically, the "right second-row side airbag" typically refers to the side impact airbag located in the right B-pillar or the side of the right seat. The "12" suffix indicates a circuit short to battery positive (B+). This fault causes the following conditions: 1) The airbag may fail to ignite and deploy during a collision, resulting in a loss of side impact protection. 2) In extreme cases, unintended triggering may cause accidental airbag deployment. 3) The SRS control unit detects abnormally high circuit voltage (typically above 4.5V) and enters fault protection mode. This may disable the entire airbag system and continuously illuminate the instrument cluster airbag warning light.
Common problems reported for Seal U →Seal U 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.