B1642

DTC B1642 indicates a short to power (+B) in the driver seat belt pretensioner ignition circuit — Atto 8

Safety System

DTC B1642 indicates a short to power (+B) in the driver seat belt pretensioner ignition circuit.

The pretensioner is a key actuator in the SRS safety system containing a pyrotechnic igniter and a gas generator.

Normal static resistance is approximately 1.5-3.0Ω.

The SRS ECU sets this fault code upon detecting abnormal continuity between the pretensioner circuit and the vehicle power supply (12V constant power or IGN power).

This fault presents two risks: first, it can cause the pretensioner to deploy and tighten unexpectedly while driving, startling or injuring the driver; second, during an actual collision, the power supply clamps the circuit, preventing the pretensioner from receiving sufficient ignition current and neutralizing its protective function.

Additionally, this fault forces the SRS system into fail-safe mode, potentially disabling the entire airbag system.

4
Cases Logged
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Qin Pro - Seat rail chafed wiring harness causing short circuit

The vehicle came in with the SRS warning light on steady. Read DTC B1642. Removed the driver's seat and found the yellow pretensioner harness beneath had been chafing against the metal edge of the seat rail over time. The insulation wore through, and the internal copper wires contacted the 12V power line to the seat heating module, creating a short to power. The technician repaired the harness by replacing a 20 cm section, repositioned the harness mounting points, and added corrugated tubing to prevent contact with metal edges during full seat movement. A three-month post-repair follow-up confirmed no recurrence.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Song MAX - Connector shorted due to water ingress after wading

The owner reported the SRS warning light illuminated after heavy rain. The scan tool showed code B1642: Driver Seat Belt Pretensioner Short to Power. Inspection found the seal on the pretensioner connector (yellow plug) beneath the driver's seat had aged, letting water in during wading that caused electrolytic corrosion between the pins inside the connector, shorting the power pin to the pretensioner drive pin. Repair procedure: thoroughly cleaned the corrosion from inside the connector, dried it with electronic contact cleaner, applied conductive anti-corrosion compound, and fitted a new waterproof seal. The corrosion was minor and the pretensioner resistance read normal, so replacement was not needed. Reassembled and cleared the fault.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Tang DM – Wiring harness misconnection after accident repair

After a front-end collision repair, the vehicle set B1642 immediately on startup. Reviewing the repair history, we found the driver seat assembly had been replaced during the repair. When connecting the wiring under the seat, the technician mistakenly swapped the pretensioner connector (yellow 2-pin) with the seat ventilation system power connector (black 2-pin, similar shape), sending 12V directly to the pretensioner. After correcting the connections, the fault code cleared. We used a dedicated diagnostic tool to code the SRS ECU and perform system calibration, restoring the pretensioner circuit monitoring voltage to normal.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Yuan EV - Aftermarket seat heating modification caused wiring damage

The SRS light illuminated one week after the owner fitted an aftermarket seat heating pad. Inspection found the 12V power wire for the heating pad (tapped from the cigarette lighter) crossed the pretensioner harness inside the seat foam. Inadequate securing caused the wires to chafe while driving, and the positive wire wore through and shorted to the pretensioner circuit. Repair: Removed the non-compliant modification wiring. Repaired the damaged original pretensioner harness (sealed with double-layer heat-shrink tubing). Advised the owner to use factory seat heating or a professional-grade modification with an independent fuse and relay, routing wiring away from SRS circuits.
Data confidence: Community This information is for reference only. Always consult a qualified technician for diagnosis and repair. Do not attempt high-voltage system repairs yourself.