B1887 - Driver airbag firing circuit, short to ground airbag control unit fault

What does error code B1887 mean in the airbag control unit?

The error code B1887 reports a short to earth in the driver airbag firing circuit, meaning the electrical circuit through which the airbag control unit fires the driver airbag. The airbag control unit stores this fault and switches on the airbag warning light, so that the condition of the driver airbag is visible as a fault.

A short to earth means that the firing circuit is connected to the vehicle earth through an unintended connection. The firing circuit is the electrical circuit through which the control unit triggers the driver airbag, and it must not have any connection to earth.

How do you recognise error code B1887?

You recognise error code B1887 by the airbag warning light staying on permanently and the code being stored in the fault memory. This entry cannot be permanently deleted, and it is read out with a diagnostic tool that makes the fault memory visible, so that the short circuit can be narrowed down.

The warning light alone does not reveal the fault. Only the code once read out shows that the firing circuit of the driver airbag has a short to earth.

What causes error code B1887?

Possible causes of error code B1887 include connectors, wiring, the driver airbag module and the airbag control unit itself. A short to earth occurs when the insulation of a wire or connector in the firing circuit is damaged and the circuit as a result makes contact with earth.

• A wire in the firing circuit may be damaged by chafing at one point and touch the vehicle earth.
• A connector on the driver airbag may be damaged, have taken on moisture or be corroded.
• The driver airbag module may be faulty in the firing circuit.
• The airbag control unit itself may be faulty, for example due to ageing electronic components or solder joints.

Which cause applies is shown only by checking the connector, wiring and airbag module at a specialist workshop.

In which vehicles does error code B1887 occur?

Error code B1887 is known in Alfa Romeo vehicles in connection with the driver airbag, specifically on the Junior 966 model. Alfa Romeo is the only brand for this code, and on this model the firing circuit of the driver airbag is affected.

On other vehicles the meaning may differ, and the list is not complete.

How is error code B1887 resolved?

Error code B1887 is resolved by first having the fault memory read out with a diagnostic tool to narrow down the cause. If the cause lies in the connector, wiring or airbag module, have these parts checked first at a specialist workshop; if it lies in the control unit, the mail-in repair process applies.

The specialist workshop checks the driver airbag firing circuit, in particular the connectors and wiring, for the short to earth. Work on the airbag system belongs in qualified hands.

If the cause lies in the control unit itself, disconnect the battery first and then remove the control unit. Create a repair order online and send the device to us. 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.