Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has come across this code before: "SRS-B00011B Driver Frontal Stage 1 Deployment Control - General Electrical Failures - Circuit Resistance Above Threshold"

This came on randomly yesterday and I tried to clear it 3 times with VIDA and it kept coming back. According to VIDA, I need a special tool to hook up to the airbag to diagnose.

2008 XC70 3.2L 165k miles

 

UPDATE:

Finally had some time to dig into this and found that the steering wheel clockspring wiring insulation had worn in at least one visible location. Apparently, this is a wear item on any car and after 175k miles, anything is up to be replaced.

Part number 31343250 ordered, $173 from Tasca.

Stay tuned to see if this fix works.

BTW: Steering Wheel Air Bag Removal:
1. Start car & position steering wheel @ 9PM position.
2. Disconnect battery, insert a small flat blade screw driver in the rear access hole until it bottoms out and lift up until you hear a click, the right side of the airbag should disengage.
3. Remove screw driver, reconnect battery and start car. Turn wheel clockwise to 3PM position.
4. Disconnect battery, insert a small flat blade screw driver in the rear access hole until it bottoms out and lift up until you hear a click, the left side of the airbag should disengage.
5. Carefully pull the airbag away from the wheel and rotate to show the clockspring/airbag wiring.
*Note, the wiring harness is not very long, so be careful when handling.

 

I'm very relieved to report that the issue has now been resolved with the replacement of the Clock Spring, part number 31343250.

The procedure went as follows:

1. Start car & position steering wheel @ 9PM position.
2. Disconnect battery, insert a small flat blade screw driver in the rear access hole until it bottoms out and lift up until you hear a click, the right side of the airbag should disengage.
3. Remove screw driver, reconnect battery and start car. Turn wheel clockwise to 3PM position.
4. Disconnect battery, insert a small flat blade screw driver in the rear access hole until it bottoms out and lift up until you hear a click, the left side of the airbag should disengage.
4.A. Reconnect the battery briefly to center the steering wheel perfectly for the next step. Once centered, disconnect the battery again.
5. Carefully pull the airbag away from the wheel and rotate to show the clockspring/airbag wiring.
*Note, the wiring harness is not very long, so be careful when handling.
6. Unplug both connections to airbag and set aside.
7. Use a flat head screw driver to unplug the green connector at the 12pm position.
8. 15MM socket to remove the steering wheel center bolt. You may need an impact wrench to do this, I used a 1/2" drive electric impact wrench.
9. Pull the steering wheel straight out and carefully feed the cables through the steering wheel center.
10. Underneath near the front of the steering column are two torx screws, maybe a T25 or so, remove both of those.
11. The plastic steering column splits horizontally; carefully pry the two apart to reveal the 3 phillips-head screws and orange data connector. Use a small philips-head screw driver and remove the three screws.
12. Pull the old clock spring towards you and carefully remove the plug from the lower-left part of the clock spring.
13. Reverse the order of installation taking care not to crush the new clock spring wiring. Care must also be taken when torquing the 15MM center bolt; over-torquing will crack the steering wheel frame and require that you replace the entire steering wheel.
14. Log in to VIDA and clear the error codes and hope it doesn't return!

Total time, not including diagnosis, took about 45 min including a beverage break
Tools: 10mm socket/ratchet, 1/4 drive torx bit, 15mm 1/2" drive socket, impact wrench, standard and phillips head screw drivers