What does it mean?
B1916 is a Body (airbags, seat belts, body electronics) fault code. It indicates: Driver-Side Air Bag Module (Inflator No.1) Circuit Short To Power Supply .
Symptoms
- Air bag warning lamp on permanently and the driver air bag disabled
- Horn, cruise control or steering wheel buttons behave erratically or stop working
- Fault often appears after steering wheel, column or clockspring work
- Warning message about the restraint system on the driver display
- The code may set while the wheel is turned to a particular position
Likely causes
- Clockspring internally worn or damaged so an air bag track touches a powered track such as the horn or steering wheel control circuits
- Clockspring installed off centre or broken after a steering wheel, column or steering rack repair
- Liquid spilled into the steering column, bridging terminals inside the clockspring connector
- Chafed wiring in the column loom where it passes the tilt or telescopic mechanism
- Damaged connector at the base of the steering wheel after air bag removal
- Driver air bag module internal short
- Restraint control module output stage failed shorted to supply
How to fix it
- Follow air bag safety procedure: ignition off, battery disconnected and the specified stand time completed before touching the air bag connector
- Note whether horn or wheel button faults are present too, as that usually points straight at the clockspring
- Disconnect the driver air bag and fit the manufacturer approved test load, then see whether the code changes to a different fault
- With the air bag disconnected, check the firing circuit for voltage with the ignition on; voltage present proves the short to power
- Remove the wheel following the correct procedure and inspect the clockspring for burn marks, worn ribbon and a broken centring feature
- Inspect the column loom for chafing at the tilt mechanism and look for signs of a liquid spill
- Replace the restraint control module only when the circuit is proven clean with everything else disconnected