B16A4

DTC B16A4 indicates the airbag control unit (SRS ECU) detected an internal system fault or critical support circuit abnormality — Seal 6 EV

Safety System

DTC B16A4 indicates the airbag control unit (SRS ECU) detected an internal system fault or critical support circuit abnormality.

As the core of the passive safety system, the ECU processes real-time data from the front and rear crash sensors, side pressure sensors, and accelerometers.

It determines airbag deployment, seat belt pretensioner activation, and high-voltage interlock disconnection.

This DTC triggers when the ECU self-diagnostic detects an internal CPU processing error, an EEPROM memory checksum failure, a transient voltage drop at the power supply monitoring circuit, or a communication interruption between the master and slave safety chips.

In this condition, the system enters fail-safe mode.

This mode may disable all airbag deployment functions and fails to guarantee normal protection logic during a collision, creating a severe safety hazard.

4
Cases Logged
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Tang DM-i: Power fluctuation causes intermittent SRS ECU fault

A 2021 Tang DM-i with 30,000 km on the clock showed an intermittent "Check SRS System" warning on the dash, with fault codes B16A4 and U0155 present. Diagnosis revealed an aftermarket dash cam drawing power from the SRS fuse circuit, causing voltage to drop to 8.2V on startup. Restored the factory power circuit, fitted a filter capacitor to the SRS ECU power supply, and upgraded the ECU software to V2.3 to improve voltage tolerance. Fault resolved.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Flooded Yuan EV: SRS ECU Internal Corrosion Repair Case

2019 Yuan EV logged DTC B16A4 after a water wading incident. Disassembly found the SRS ECU mounted under the floor. The internal PCB showed copper corrosion, and the accelerometer chip solder joints had cracked. Because the ECU is a safety-critical component and internally potted, it cannot be repaired; we fitted a new ECU. Recalibrated the zero points for the three collision sensors (left front, right front, centre) using the diagnostic scanner, and completed the high-voltage interlock loop check. Total labour time: 4.5 hours.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

CAN bus interference caused B16A4 fault in BYD Song MAX

After the accident repair, the SRS warning light stayed on and stored DTC B16A4 along with multiple U communication faults. Inspection found the wiring harness was not secured properly during the repair, causing the SRS ECU CAN bus wiring to run parallel to the orange high-voltage wiring for an excessive distance. This caused electromagnetic coupling interference. Fix: re-routed the wiring to maintain ≥200 mm separation between the CAN lines and high-voltage cables, added a ferrite core at the ECU end, cleared the fault codes, and monitored the vehicle for 200 km with no recurrence.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Failure to configure the instrument cluster after replacement caused an SRS fault on the Qin Pro EV

Following instrument cluster replacement at a dealership, a 2020 Qin Pro EV set an SRS B16A4 fault with the airbag warning light remaining constantly on. Diagnosis revealed the replacement cluster lacked the correct security system configuration code, causing a failed security authentication handshake with the SRS ECU. Repair procedure: Using the VDS diagnostic tool, navigate to 'Special Functions - SRS Configuration', enter the correct configuration code (based on vehicle trim: 5-airbag or 6-airbag variant), and perform online matching to clear the fault.
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.