AutoCodes – Generic – B1997

B1997 Code - Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag Circuit Short To Ground

Quick Answer

The Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors the Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag. Common causes include Faulty Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag, Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag harness is open or shorted, Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag 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: B1997 indicates Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag Circuit Short To Ground.
Common causes: Common causes include Faulty Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag, Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag harness is open or shorted, Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag 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 5,058

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 Aug 03, 2019

Description
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Cost to Diagnose
FAQs
Comments
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Code B1997 Description

The Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors the Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag. The RCM sets the OBDII code when the Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag is not to factory specifications.

OBDII Code B1997 - Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag Circuit Short To Ground - AutoCodes.com — B1997 Code - Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag Circuit Short To Ground

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC B1997?

Faulty Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag
Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag harness is open or shorted
Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag circuit poor electrical connection
Faulty Restraints Control Module (RCM)

How to Fix the DTC B1997?

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 is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the B1997 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 B1997 code?

Need more information on how to fix the B1997 code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the B1997 code diagnosed by a professional: Find a repair shop in your area

Information for Specific Makes

B1997 Ford — Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag Circuit Short To Ground
B1997 Lincoln — Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag Circuit Short To Ground
B1997 Mercury — Passenger Side Side Mount Airbag Circuit Short To Ground

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 B1997 Code

1. What does OBDII code B1997 mean?

Code B1997 indicates a short to ground in the passenger side side-mount airbag circuit, which may cause the airbag system to malfunction.

2. What are the symptoms of code B1997?

Common symptoms include the airbag warning light illuminating on the dashboard and the potential deactivation of the passenger side airbag.

3. What causes code B1997?

This code is often caused by damaged wiring, a shorted airbag connector, a faulty side-mount airbag module, or corrosion in the circuit.

4. Can I drive my car with code B1997 active?

It is not recommended to drive with this code active, as the airbag system may not function properly in the event of a collision.

5. How is code B1997 diagnosed?

A technician will inspect the wiring and connectors for damage, use a multimeter to test for shorts to ground, and check the side-mount airbag module for faults.

6. How can I fix code B1997?

Repairs may include replacing damaged wiring, cleaning corroded connectors, or replacing the faulty airbag module.

7. Is code B1997 a common issue?

While not extremely common, this code may occur in vehicles with aging electrical systems or after a collision.

8. Can I reset the airbag light to clear code B1997?

The airbag light can only be reset after the underlying issue causing the B1997 code has been properly repaired.

9. How much does it cost to fix code B1997?

Repair costs vary depending on the cause, but fixing damaged wiring or replacing an airbag module can range from $150 to $600 or more.

10. Is code B1997 covered under warranty?

Airbag-related repairs may be covered under your vehicleâ€™s warranty or a recall, depending on the age and manufacturer. Check with your dealership for details.