Chevrolet Caprice 4th generation airbag control unit repair

What is a Chevrolet Caprice 4th generation airbag control unit?

In an emergency, the entire deployment depends on the Chevrolet Caprice 4th generation airbag control unit: as the central control unit of the restraint system (SRS), it decides within milliseconds which airbags and seatbelt pretensioners fire. In everyday use it monitors the system and makes faults visible via the airbag warning light.

In a collision, the crash sensors supply the unit with the deceleration readings. It evaluates them and enables the firing circuits of the appropriate restraints in a targeted way. It is installed in the Chevrolet Caprice 4th generation (1991 to 1996).

Outside an accident, it continuously checks sensors, firing circuits and its own electronics. If a fault shows up, it reports it via the warning light in the instrument cluster. After an accident, the unit stores crash data and locks itself.

Why is the Chevrolet Caprice 4th generation airbag control unit defective?

Most often the cause is crash data from an accident, even if no airbag has deployed. Other possible reasons are aged components, cold solder joints, moisture and corrosion at the connectors, or voltage spikes.

Once crash data has become lodged in the unit, an ordinary diagnostic tool cannot remove it. The fault remains, even if nothing unusual is visible on the vehicle. In addition, the electronics suffer over time: components on the circuit board change, and solder joints lose their reliable contact.

How you notice it: the airbag warning light stays on permanently, the fault memory cannot be reset, or the diagnostic tool cannot find a connection. A weak battery or a jump start can also cause voltage spikes that damage the electronics.

Common error codes for Chevrolet Caprice 4th generation airbag control unit repair

The codes show where the control unit has detected a problem: in the unit itself, in the configuration, in a firing circuit or in stored crash data.

The following codes are known, among others, for this vehicle:

• B1000 → Internal fault in the airbag control unit
• B1001 → Configuration error: data does not match vehicle equipment
• B1019 → Configuration mismatch in the restraint components
• B0052 → Deployment commanded, crash data record stored
• B0012 → Driver airbag, first-stage firing circuit faulty
• B0013 → Driver airbag, second-stage firing circuit faulty
• B0019 → Passenger airbag, first-stage firing circuit faulty
• B0020 → Passenger airbag, second-stage firing circuit faulty

The codes are read out with a diagnostic tool. A code alone does not allow a reliable conclusion that the control unit is defective, because connectors, wiring or an airbag module can equally be to blame. Only the inspection shows where the fault lies.

What part numbers are available for the Chevrolet Caprice 4th generation airbag control unit repair?

You will find the part number on the label on the control unit. It determines the exact version, because depending on equipment and year of manufacture, different numbers exist within one model series.

The following numbers are known for this vehicle; the list is not complete:

• 1228874

Compare the number on your unit with this list. This only ensures that it is the right unit. Whether there is a defect is only clarified by reading out the fault memory or by the inspection.

The way to repair: first have the fault memory read out, then disconnect the battery and remove the control unit. After that, you create a repair order online and send in the unit. Testing, repairing and checking at Airbag24 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.