B0081-0F Code in GM Vehicles – How to Fix This?

The B0081-0F trouble code means that the passenger detection system is faulty. This is for the right front passenger seat and covers the work of the weight sensor built into the seat. While in most cases, the sensor needs replacement and it's pretty hard to do on your own in GM cars, sometimes, you can solve the problem without replacing the parts.

B0081 code highlights

• Level of urgency:Medium
• Possible culprits:Passenger detection system sensor broken or disconnected
• Price for repair:$50 - $350
• If neglected:Airbags may not deploy when needed
• DIY repairs:Impossible
• Can you drive?Yes

What should you know about the passenger seat weight sensor?

Almost all GM cars that have the passenger airbag (all vehicles made within the recent two and a half decades, I suppose) have weight sensors in the front seats. And some have these sensors even in the rear seat. The idea is that the safety system control module can always know if there is a person in the seat.

So, the sensor is built into the seat and measures the weight of the seat. If you put a bag from the supermarket or your laptop, it will not trigger the light on the dash and won't tell you that the passenger is not buckled up. But if a person sits there, the weight sensor will detect it and will require to fasten the seat belt.

When you see the B0081-0F code, it means that the weight sensor is malfunctioning. This special code tells you about the front passenger seat sensor problem. I'm not sure if it's so for the cars sold in Britain (right-hand vehicles) - this needs verification.

Anyway, this code means that the control module doesn't get the information from that sensor. It means that the car brains just don't know if there is a person and they can't warn you to make sure that the passenger is buckled up. You will most likely see the airbag warning light on the dash, too.

The B0081-0F trouble code is detected by a good scanner that can communicate with all control modules, not just with the ECU. Cheap scanners will not see any codes because the ECU doesn't have anything to do with the safety system.

By the way, you may want to have a look at this service bulletin. Although it inly covers the Impala, it may give you the understanding of what may be wrong with your car.

Why can this sensor fail and throw the B0081-0F code?

Well, the number one reason for its failure is the accident. It means that the SRS unit doesn't work properly and needs replacement or reprogramming. After an accident, the SRS module deployed some airbags and now won't function properly. It can throw any codes connected with the safety system.

In this case, you will need to know the following:

• the B0081-0F code is connected with the SRS unit, not with the sensor;
• to deal with the problem, you will need to reprogram the SRS unit;
• also, you may buy the new one using your VIN to choose it and just install it;
• the new SRS will test the system and the airbag light will disappear;
• this is actually something you should start with if your car has been in an accident.

If there was no accident but the B0081-0F code is still there, it should be connected to the sensor or wiring. Very rarely, the problem may still be with the safety system control unit but it should be damaged then.

If your car hasn't been in an accident, the reasons for this behavior may be as follows:

• the sensor area was damaged by water - maybe you spilled something on it;
• the weight sensor was physically damaged and stopped working properly;
• the wiring corroded or was damaged by careless cleaning or other actions;
• sensor or wiring has reached its common lifespan and died.

You shouldn't also exclude one simple thing that may trigger almost any warning light in your car, especially the safety system lights. This is the low battery voltage. If your battery is old and shabby, or the alternator doesn't supply the vehicle with the needed amount of power, the B0081-0F code may be misleading.

I would actually start checking the problem with the battery health and then proceed to other possible issues.

How can you try and solve the problem on your own?

When it comes to the safety system in your vehicle, you should do anything to solve the problem. First of all, this is the safety of you and your passengers. Secondly, it's the tests and checks that you will obviously fail with this warning light.

One of the obvious solutions is to go to a good repair shop or dealership and get your car inspected properly. But it's not cheap at all and sometimes it's not actually needed. I will focus on some DIY methods first.

Let's look at them:

1) Disconnect and connect the sensor

Locating the weight sensor is not that easy. It's located under the seat but the actual place may differ from one model to another. Usually, you can easily find wires under the seat and they will lead you directly to the sensor.

Disconnect it and check if the clamp is corroded. Clean it if needed. Then reconnect the sensor. Of course, the car should be off at this moment.

This may help you reset the sensor. And although the chances are scarce, you still can see that the airbag light is gone and the B0081-0F code is no longer there when you plug in your scanner. If this happened to you, consider yourself lucky.

2) Check the battery voltage and the alternator

To make sure everything runs fine on the end of the power supply, just check the battery voltage. It should be about 12.5 volts when the car is off. Also, check the voltage when the car is on. It should be significantly higher than 14 volts and pretty stable.

If you have problems with the alternator or battery, they are the first to solve. Maybe, after dealing with them, you will find out that the B0081-0F code was just a glitch.

By the way, disconnecting the battery will not reset the SRS unit, so the code will still be there - no need to try that.

3) Replace the sensor

This solution will require some expertise from you. If you aren't sure that you are able to do everything properly, just head to the nearest trusted repair shop or to the dealer and pay for this job to be done for you.

If you are going to do that on your own, don't forget to watch a tutorial video about the process. I can't describe it here because each GM car will have some peculiarities in this process and it will probably take you forever to read that.

So, buy the OEM sensor using the VIN of your vehicle and install it instead of the broken one. Given you do this on your own, it will cost you just some dollars (for the sensor). The labor may cost you up to $200 in the dealership, unfortunately.

4) Go to professionals

If nothing helps you get rid of the B0081-0F message, you will still have to go to the dealership or a good repair shop to have the car inspected properly. Make sure you choose a good shop and a good mechanic. Otherwise, they may replace one part after another pulling hundreds of dollars out of your pocket!

Can you drive with the B0081-0F code?

There is nothing that prevents you from driving when this code is active. It means the engine will work, there is no limp mode or something. When I first dealt with this trouble code, my client had been driving with the code and light for a year. Only before the smog test, he thought that he should deal with the problem.

But you should understand that several things will not work properly:

• your car will not warn you if the passenger doesn't buckle up;
• the passenger airbag will not deploy even in case of a serious accident;
• the safety system will not know if there is a passenger in your car;
• there is a chance that the SRS unit will not deploy any airbags when needed.

So, of course, driving with this light is not recommended. I insist that you need to spend that several dollars and solve the issue.

Final thoughts

The B0081-0F code is certainly not the worst problem with your GM vehicle. But it's annoying because it lights up the airbag light and obviously deactivates at least several airbags seriously reducing the safety ratings of your vehicle.

In most cases, the problem is with the weight sensor in the seat of your car. Of course, the wiring is worth checking. But sometimes, it's just an SRS unit glitch that requires resetting. Unfortunately, it won't reset just by disconnecting the battery, so it needs professional labor.

Even if the weight sensor is in charge of the problem, you can deal with the issue - just replace it or have it replaced by a professional.