AutoCodes – Saturn – B0071 Saturn

B0071 Saturn Code - Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor Circuit

Quick Answer

The seat belt tension sensor is a sensor mounted on the passenger seat belt retractor and provides input to the Passenger Presence Module. Common causes include Faulty Passenger Seat Belt Retractor (Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor), Passenger Seat Belt Retractor harness is open or shorted, Passenger Seat Belt Retractor circuit poor electrical connection. Severity is High - diagnose this code as soon as possible. Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

What it means: B0071 Saturn indicates Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor Circuit.
Common causes: Common causes include Faulty Passenger Seat Belt Retractor (Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor), Passenger Seat Belt Retractor harness is open or shorted, Passenger Seat Belt Retractor circuit poor electrical connection.
Severity: High - diagnose this code as soon as possible.
Can I drive?: Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

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Code Popularity 2,524

How popular is this code, among other codes? Low

Repair Importance Level

Urgent (Diagnose now) (3 / 3)

Repair Difficulty Level

Advanced (Pro) (3 / 3)

What is this?

Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on Oct 17, 2022

Description
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Tech Notes
Cost to Diagnose
FAQs
Comments
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Code B0071 Saturn Description

The seat belt tension sensor is a sensor mounted on the passenger seat belt retractor and provides input to the Passenger Presence Module. When an infant car seat is properly restrained on the front passenger seat, the seat belt is tightly secured through the car seat. The seat belt pulls on the tension sensor and changes the voltage signal to the Passenger Presence Module. The Passenger Presence Module monitors the belt tension sensor signal circuit and if a fault is detected, the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be set. When the Passenger Presence Module detects this DTC, it will send out a serial data message, and the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module will notify the customer of the enable/disable status by illuminating the OFF indicator on the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF indicators. The Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) will then suppress the deployment of the passenger instrument panel air bag and illuminate the AIR BAG indicator.

OBDII Code B0071 Saturn - Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor Circuit - AutoCodes.com — B0071 Saturn Code - Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor Circuit

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC B0071 Saturn?

Faulty Passenger Seat Belt Retractor (Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor)
Passenger Seat Belt Retractor harness is open or shorted
Passenger Seat Belt Retractor circuit poor electrical connection
Faulty Passenger Presence Module

How to Fix the DTC B0071 Saturn?

Review the 'Possible Causes' above and visually examine the corresponding wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and inspect connector pins for signs of being broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded.

What does this mean?

Code Tech Notes

B0071:03 Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor Circuit Voltage Below Threshold
B0071:04 Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor Circuit Open
B0071:07 Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor Circuit Voltage Above Threshold
B0071:08 Passenger Seat Belt Tension Sensor Circuit Voltage Performance Signal Invalid

What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the B0071 Saturn code, it typically requires 1.0 hour of labor. Rates vary by location, vehicle, and shop. Many shops charge between $80–$150 per hour; dealerships and metro areas may be higher, independents may be lower.

Need more information about the B0071 Saturn code?

Need more information on how to fix the B0071 Saturn code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the B0071 Saturn code diagnosed by a professional: Find a repair shop in your area

Precautions for SRS “AIR BAG” and “SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER” Service

Never probe the electrical connectors on air bag, side air curtain modules or seat belts.
Never disassemble or tamper with safety belt buckle/retractor pretensioners, adaptive load limiting retractors, safety belt inflators, or probe the electrical connectors.
Do not use electrical test equipment to check SRS circuits unless instructed to in this Service Manual.
Before servicing the SRS, turn ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery cables and wait at least 3 minutes. For approximately 3 minutes after the cables are removed, it is still possible for the air bag and seat belt pre-tensioner to deploy. Therefore, do not work on any SRS connectors or wires until at least 3 minutes have passed.

Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of these modules, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.

About the author: William Orellana is a Master Mechanic and Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience diagnosing and repairing vehicles. Learn more about his background.

Frequently Asked Questions about B0071 Saturn Code

1. What are the common symptoms of OBDII code B0071 in a Saturn related to the passenger seat belt tension sensor circuit?

- Common symptoms include the airbag warning light illuminating on the dashboard and potential issues with the passenger seat belt system.

2. What can cause the OBDII code B0071 in a Saturn to trigger?

- The code can be triggered by a faulty passenger seat belt tension sensor, damaged wiring, or a malfunction in the airbag system.

3. How can I diagnose the root cause of OBDII code B0071 in my Saturn?

- Diagnosing the issue requires a professional OBDII scanner to retrieve the specific fault codes and conducting a thorough inspection of the passenger seat belt tension sensor circuit.

4. Is it safe to drive my Saturn with the OBDII code B0071 related to the passenger seat belt tension sensor circuit?

- It is recommended not to drive the vehicle until the issue is resolved, as it may affect the proper functioning of the seat belt and airbag system.

5. Can I reset the OBDII code B0071 in my Saturn without fixing the underlying issue?

- While you can clear the code temporarily, it will likely reappear until the root cause is addressed and fixed.

6. How much does it typically cost to repair OBDII code B0071 in a Saturn involving the passenger seat belt tension sensor circuit?

- The cost of repair can vary depending on the specific issue, but it may involve sensor replacement, wiring repairs, or system recalibration by a professional technician.

7. Are there any DIY repair tips for fixing OBDII code B0071 in a Saturn?

- DIY repairs are not recommended for this code, as it involves critical safety components like the seat belt and airbag system. It's best to have a qualified mechanic handle the repair.

8. Will fixing OBDII code B0071 in a Saturn require replacing the entire passenger seat belt assembly?

- Not necessarily. The repair may involve diagnosing and fixing specific components within the passenger seat belt tension sensor circuit rather than replacing the entire assembly.

9. How long does it typically take to repair OBDII code B0071 related to the passenger seat belt tension sensor circuit in a Saturn?

- The repair time can vary based on the exact issue, but it may take a few hours to a day for a qualified technician to diagnose and fix the problem.

10. Can OBDII code B0071 in a Saturn be a recurring issue even after it's been repaired once?

- If the underlying cause of the code is not fully addressed or if new issues arise in the system, OBDII code B0071 may reappear and require further diagnosis and repair.