GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC B0085 00: Left Front Side Impact Sensor

DTC B0085 0F: Left Front Side Impact Sensor Erratic

DTC B0085 39: Left Front Side Impact Sensor Internal Electronic Failure

DTC B0085 3A: Left Front Side Impact Sensor Incorrect Component Installed

DTC B0085 71: Left Front Side Impact Sensor Invalid Serial Data Received

DTC B0086 00: Right Front Side Impact Sensor

DTC B0086 0F: Right Front Side Impact Sensor Erratic

DTC B0086 39: Right Front Side Impact Sensor Internal Electronic Failure

DTC B0086 3A: Right Front Side Impact Sensor Incorrect Component Installed

DTC B0086 71: Right Front Side Impact Sensor Invalid Serial Data Received

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Side Impact Sensor LF Signal Circuit

--

B0085 00

B0085 00

B0085 00

B0085 0F

Side Impact Sensor LF Voltage

B0085 00

B0085 00

B0085 00

--

B0085 0F

Side Impact Sensor RF Signal Circuit

--

--

B0086 04

--

B0086 0F

Side Impact Sensor RF Voltage

B0086 00

B0086 00

B0086 00

--

B0086 0F

Circuit/System Description

The inflatable restraint side impact sensor (SIS) utilizes a unidirectional 2-wire circuit. The SIS modulates current on the interface to send ID, state of health, and deployment commands to the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). The SDM serves as a power source and a ground for the SIS. When the ignition is turned ON and input power from the SDM is first detected, the SIS responds by performing internal diagnostics and sending an ID to the SDM. The SDM considers the ID to be valid if the response time is less than 5 seconds. The SIS continually communicates status messages to the SDM, which determines if a fault is present in the SIS circuit. When a fault is detected, the SDM resets the SIS twice by removing and reapplying power to it. If the fault is still present, the SDM will set a DTC.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

All of the following conditions exist for 2.5 seconds:

B0085 02 or B0086 02

    • The SIS has been shorted to ground.
    • The SIS current has been above 23 mA for longer than 5 milliseconds.

B0085 05 or B0086 05

    • The SIS has been shorted to voltage.
    • The SIS circuit is open.
    • The SDM has not received a message from the SIS for more than 375 milliseconds.

B0085 0F or B0086 0F

The SDM has received erratic messages from the SIS.

B0085 39 or B0086 39

    • The SDM has received a NOK message from the SIS.
    • The SDM has not received a message.

B0085 3A or B0086 3A

    • The SDM has received an ID message from the SIS which does not match the ID stored in the SDM memory.
    • The SDM has reset the SIS twice without detecting the correct ID message.

B0085 71 or B0086 71

The SDM has received invalid serial data from the SIS.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The SDM commands the AIR BAG indicator ON via serial data communications.
    • The SIR System is disabled and no deployments are allowed.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The condition responsible for setting the DTC no longer exists and the scan tool Clear DTCs function is used.
    • A history DTC will clear once 255 malfunction-free ignition cycles have occurred.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

SIR Schematics

Connector End View Reference

SIR Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Circuit/System Testing

    Important: When removing connectors, inspect for damage or corrosion. Damage or corrosion in the following requires repair or replacement of the affected component/connector:

       • The SIS
       • The SDM module
       • The SIS wiring harness connector
       • The SDM wiring harness connector

  1. Ignition OFF, if DTC B0085 is current, disconnect the LF SIS connector. If DTC B0086 is current, disconnect the RF SIS connector.
  2. Remove the SDM connector.
  3. Test the signal and voltage circuits between the SDM and SIS for a short to voltage, short to ground, or open/low resistance. Verify that a short to voltage, short to ground, or open/low resistance does not exist.
  4. If any of the above conditions are found, make the appropriate repair.
  5. Reconnect all SIR components, turn the ignition ON, and with a scan tool clear and recheck for DTCs.
  6. If DTC B0085 is current, replace the LF SIS. If DTC B0086 is current, replace the RF SIS. After replacement, clear and recheck for DTCs if DTC B0085 or DTC B0086 are still current, replace the SDM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Inflatable Restraint Side Impact Sensor Replacement - Front
    •  Inflatable Restraint Side Impact Sensor Replacement - Rear
    •  SIR/SRS Wiring Repairs
    •  Control Module References for SDM replacement, setup, and programming