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Intermittent SRS light?

Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 FORD TRANSIT
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 43,865 MILES
Three days ago, I had a hard braking incident where I laid on my horn after an elderly couple stopped in the middle of a busy road. No impact, however, since then I've had an intermittent SRS light come on.

I bought a scanner and got the following code(s): B00A0 status 08 fault 09
B00C0:11-28

Passenger occupancy sensor A short to ground.

Is this a possible loose connection? I looked under the passenger seat and all wires looked intact. I disconnected one sensor, looked at the connections which were clean, reconnected the sensor and cleared all codes, but the light re-occurred tonight.

I called my mechanic, but he told me this has to be done at the dealership. I called the dealership, but they wouldn't discuss the codes over the phone, and they want to charge me $120.00 to diagnose (not fix) the issue. Whether that's just to hook up the scanner or includes finding the issue, he wouldn't tell me which is sketchy to me.

I hope to hear from someone who can tell me if the sensor is the seat position sensor or if it's the weight pad under the cushion?
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Thursday, July 14th, 2022 AT 6:06 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Yep, the code is for the passenger seat occupant sensor which is common, what happens is heat or water can cause the module to go out. The module is located under the passenger's seat. I would remove the module and check for water damage and corrosion on the electrical connector. This module is called an occupant classification system module (OSCM) I believe you can get a new module and replace the old, it should be plug and play. Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is. Also, there is a ground wire I would check under the passenger's door sill. Check the wiring diagrams below to see what I am talking about.
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Friday, July 15th, 2022 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
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Thanks for your reply, Ken. My passenger seat has not gotten wet at all or exposed to serious heat events, so I'm not sure why a sensor would fail in those regards. I appreciate the wiring diagram which will help me find the ground wire since I believe it's a loose bolt or wire as it's intermittent short to ground code. One thing I don't know is which sensor is Sensor A? There are 2 sensors in the seat, the weight pad sensor and a seat position sensor.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the SRS system, the majority of the sensors are not plug and play. They need to be programmed into the airbag control module with the new serial numbers if replaced otherwise the control module will throw a new code and disable the system. At least that's what my trusty mechanic is telling me.

I inspected the underside of the seat where the sensors are and there's no signs of water intrusion such as stains and the wiring look to be in new condition. The only things I haven't checked are the bolts that hold the seat position sensor and ground wire in place. If either of those are loose, it may be causing the light.
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Friday, July 15th, 2022 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Each system is a little different, older systems let you swap parts and as long as the self-check goes okay the system would work, sometimes the sensor modules just go out for whatever reason. Here are the rest of the wiring diagrams so you can get a complete picture of how it works. Recheck the fuses and grounds and if okay replace the passenger seat module. It doesn't say which is which in my information. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Saturday, July 16th, 2022 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
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Hi Ken,

I'm definitely interested in finding and fixing this myself but it's getting doubtful. I looked under the seat and like I said before, all wires were wrapped and looked pristine. I did some Google searches and found that there is a 7mm bolt that secures the seat position sensor and harness in place, and I checked mine, it was loose, so I tightened it.

I called the dealership and they're tight lipped on what sensor the code is referring to. They want $120.00 just to diagnose the problem. I can only assume that sensor A would be the first sensor in the wiring harness or tree. My mechanic is refusing to even try to fix the issue cause if he does fix it and replace the part and it needs to be programmed into the airbag ECU, the dealer won't do the work without ordering a new part.

The dealer did tell me that if the problem requires a new sensor, they don't have it and don't know when they'll be able to get it since everything electrical is virtually on backorder.
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Saturday, July 16th, 2022 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, the dealer really wants you to come in so they can do the repairs. Since the ground was loose, I am wondering if that fixed it. Can you clear the codes to see if the system reboots?
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Sunday, July 17th, 2022 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
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I checked all the connections and they're tight. No signs of water damage. I reached out to a Ford certified mechanic on a question answered site and my B00C0 code had gone from B00C0:11-28 to a B00C0:11AB which is an active fault, not an intermittent fault. After sharing my codes past and present with the mechanic, he revealed it's the weight pad sensor in the seat and it's got an electrical short inside it. The only way to fix is replacement which my local Ford dealer told me is virtually impossible since parts aren't available. I've been searching high and low for the part and either it cannot be found, or it's used. I'm not about to put a used part in my van and risk another fault. The mechanic told me it can be replaced on my own, but it does require a thorough DCM code clearing which most personal code readers cannot do, or so he said. I can't replace nor can I afford to replace the part because it cannot be ordered. I searched available airbag sensors on the Ford parts site and the weight sensor isn't even listed. I'll try searching part numbers on the tags hanging on the wires under the seat but I'm not holding much hope.
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Sunday, July 17th, 2022 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I am glad he said the weight sensor is bad because that's what I thought as well, I am sorry about the replacement part issue and I share your concern with the used part, probably going fail prematurely. Let me know if you find the part number, all I can find is the module part#.
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Monday, July 18th, 2022 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
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Yes, unfortunately I called the Ford dealer with the part number and from what the parts store could tell me, the weight pad isn't available on its own. You need to buy the seat track with it so it's $730.00! They're reaching out to Ford distribution to confirm though. I'm considering purchasing a bypass sensor for the faulty sensor given the cost. I just need to find the bypass sensor for my vehicle that will mimic the weight sensor data.
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Monday, July 18th, 2022 AT 9:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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How many wires is the sensor do you know? We might be able to find a resistor to work.
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Monday, July 18th, 2022 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
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I'm not at home right now but the Ford dealer called me back and it's even more expensive $989.00 because it's now installed in the cushion which is now replaced as a whole unit. It's ridiculous how they're making it easier for the mechanic but more expensive for the customer. The seat mat takes only 30 minutes to replace, why would they add it to another part except to make it more expensive? I believe it's a 3-wire connector but not positive. I'm searching Google for the emulator but am not finding one for my van as of yet. I'm posting on forums where people are converting their transits to campers hoping someone can point me in the right direction. However, upon further reading, I may need to also buy a seat belt emulator as well otherwise the seat chime may sound since the emulator will tell the airbag ecu that the seat is occupied.
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Monday, July 18th, 2022 AT 10:49 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I got this pic but it's of the harness because the wires to the sensor pad are covered by hard plastic. I posted to three other transit forums in hopes someone else had this issue and came up with a fix or bypass but no luck so far. I cannot afford the $989.00 the dealership wants just for the seat cushion. With install and programming, it'll probably be around $1,400.00! The new cushion only has a 1-year warranty so if it fails again, I have to repeat the process again. I need my SRS system to be operable.
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Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it is a safety issue for sure. That does look like the module/sensor that needs to be replaced, have you tried ebay? Some people on this forum have had great luck with it.
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Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
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Sorry for so many comments but I Googled the code B00C0:11 and got a pinpoint test page for B00A0:11 and B00C0:11 Gault codes. B00A0:11 code required pinpoint test BM while B00C0:11 requires pinpoint test BD. Multiple steps for test BM and only a couple for test BD. BD test simply is a visual looking at the OCS for broken, exposed wires. If none found, says replace OCS. I'm having zero responses on other forums regarding a bypass for this so far. Nothing telling me how to create a harness with resisters to mimic the weight pad as occupied so the SRS system stays active. Nothing telling me the pad OHM readings to determine if the pad is faulty. If I had the ohm readings along with the correct wiring diagram of the pad itself, I could cut wires and install resisters to bypass the pad. The only problem is that if I were able to and it worked, later if there's a Ford OCS recall, Ford can and will refuse to do the recall repair on my van. I'm not finding readymade plug and play emulators for my van OCS sensor, only for the airbags themselves.
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Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
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Hi Ken,

I'm not having luck on eBay so far, plus from what service bulletins and what mechanics have told me on "ask a mechanic " sites, my sensor requires recalibration after replacement which requires a special tool to communicate with the Airbag ECU and a special weight to place on the seat to calibrate it for the "occupied" response to the airbag ECU. Ford will not install used parts for customers for safety reasons and because they say the used part may have the same issue. This to me is highway robbery to charge $989.00 for a cushion with the sensor in it. That doesn't include installation and programming. With everything said and done, it could cost me $1,400.00 at the very least. Crazy expensive.
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Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that is not fun at all. I wish I had better news for you but I can't think of anything else to do. Please let us know if you find something out that could benefit this thread and other people.
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Wednesday, July 20th, 2022 AT 12:19 PM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
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Unfortunately, I'm not finding anything useful for bypassing or fixing the issue besides getting the sensor replaced. While I hope that diagnosis comes up with a different, cheaper fix, it's doubtful. I have however reported the sensor failure to the NTSB who may research the issue and may act on it since the failure is not due to neglect on my part, but possibly a manufacture defect. While chances are slim, if the NTSB does act on the report, Ford may be forced to do the repair for free or refund the cost. I can only hope the NTSB does something like they have done before with this sensor through other car brands. Both BMW and Mini were ordered to extend their warranty on the passenger seat occupancy sensor to 120,000 miles or 20 years, unlimited miles due to sensors failing. The cost to replace is just too extreme for a sensor and cushion. If it included the cost of installation, diagnosis and calibration, then the price might be reasonable.
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Wednesday, July 20th, 2022 AT 12:30 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Nice work Ted, if the problem is not brought to the attention of those that can force a change nothing will be done. I hope they do something because it looks like it is a real problem.
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Thursday, July 21st, 2022 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
TED ZOROMSKI
  • MEMBER
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I'm definitely keeping on the NTSB and when I get the sensor replaced, I'm going to push the Ford dealer to triple check to ensure it's absolutely without a doubt the $989.00 cushion for my van as quoted. The last thing I need is to pay for it and go in to have it installed and they tell me they got the wrong part!
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Thursday, July 21st, 2022 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, good call.
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Friday, July 22nd, 2022 AT 2:04 PM

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