B16201B - Driver airbag firing circuit, resistance too high airbag control unit fault

What does error code B16201B mean in the airbag control unit?

Error code B16201B indicates excessive resistance in the driver airbag firing circuit, that is, in the electrical connection between the airbag control unit and the driver airbag. The airbag control unit stores this fault in the fault memory and switches on the airbag warning light, so that the finding is visible on the vehicle.

The firing circuit connects the airbag control unit to the driver airbag. The name of the fault varies between driver airbag firing circuit and firing circuit of the driver airbag, but both mean the same electrical circuit.

The fault therefore does not affect the entire airbag system, but only the driver airbag firing circuit. The message itself does not show where the increased resistance comes from.

How do you recognise error code B16201B?

You can clearly recognise error code B16201B by a permanently lit airbag warning light, when the code is in the fault memory and cannot be permanently erased. The code is read out with a diagnostic tool that retrieves the fault memory of the airbag control unit and displays the stored entry.

The entry remains in the fault memory until it is specifically removed. Whether the finding is currently stored is therefore always shown by the readout, and not by the warning light alone.

What causes error code B16201B?

For error code B16201B, the firing circuit itself and the components on it come into question first, namely plugs, cables and the driver airbag module. The airbag control unit itself can also be a cause, as it monitors the firing circuit and records the finding in the fault memory.

• plugs with loose or corroded contacts in the firing circuit
• damaged cables between the airbag control unit and the driver airbag
• a faulty driver airbag module with a faulty firing circuit
• a fault in the airbag control unit, for example due to aged electronic components, soldered joints, or moisture and corrosion

Which cause applies only becomes clear from a targeted check of the individual components. Only if plugs, cables and the driver airbag module show no findings does the control unit remain as the cause.

In which vehicles does error code B16201B occur?

Error code B16201B is known on Xpeng vehicles, across several models, for example the G3, G6, G7 and P7. The code is therefore not limited to a single vehicle, but affects several model series of this brand and their models.

On other vehicles the meaning may differ. The list is not complete and shows only a selection of the Xpeng models on which the code is known.

How is error code B16201B resolved?

Error code B16201B is resolved by first reading out the fault memory with a diagnostic tool, and then narrowing down the cause in the driver airbag firing circuit. A specialist workshop first checks the plug, cable and driver airbag module in a targeted way, before the control unit itself is considered.

If the plug, cable and driver airbag module show no findings, the cause lies in the airbag control unit itself. In that case, first disconnect the battery and then remove the control unit.

Then create a repair order online and send the unit to Airbag24. Checking, repairing and testing usually take 3–4 working days.

The repaired control unit comes back with all vehicle data and is ready for use as soon as it is refitted — no coding or programming is required. Work on the airbag system should be left to qualified specialists.