What does it mean?
B1993 is a Body (airbags, seat belts, body electronics) fault code. It indicates: Driver–Side Side Air Bag Module Circuit Short To Body Ground .
Symptoms
- Airbag warning lamp on constantly with the side airbag disabled
- Side airbag would not deploy in an impact
- Code sets again immediately after clearing, especially when the seat is moved
- Fault can be triggered by sliding the seat, which points at the under seat harness
- Other restraint codes stored when the same loom is damaged
Likely causes
- Squib wiring under the seat crushed by the seat rails or trapped by items pushed under the seat
- Yellow connector under the seat unlatched, wet or corroded
- Seat cover or heater element fitted incorrectly, pinching the side airbag wiring inside the backrest
- Chafe where the loom passes the seat frame and moves with recline adjustment
- Internal short inside the side airbag module in the seat back
- Damage from previous seat removal, upholstery repair or an accessory installation
- Faulty side airbag circuit inside the restraint control module
How to fix it
- Note whether the code is current or intermittent and whether it appears while the seat is moved
- Switch off the ignition, disconnect the battery and wait the specified time before touching the yellow connector under the seat
- Never test an inflator directly, use a squib load substitute in place of the side airbag
- Inspect the yellow connector for water, corrosion, a damaged shorting bar and a lock that is not fully home
- With both ends disconnected, measure each squib wire to body ground, a low reading confirms the short
- Run the seat fully forwards and rearwards while monitoring, so a wire pinched only at one position is found
- Repair the harness or replace the seat side airbag module, then clear the code and verify the warning lamp completes its check and goes out