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Help! -- 2015 Honda Civic EX, no accidents, like new, low mileage (37K). VERY frustrating intermittent problem with SRS airbag fault ("B0001-13 increased resistance, driver first airbag inflator").

Happens *intermittently* -- occurs randomly, disappears at next car restart, then recurs 1,2,3 days later. If the SRS fault is cleared with a scanner, same thing -- recurs randomly 1-3 days later.

Truly random -- independent of temperature (30F to 70F), steering wheel position/movement, car in motion or not.

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This could be *anything* -- SRS computer, dash wire harness, connectors, cable reel, driver airbag, SRS software or ?? (No recalls on this make/model, that I know of.)

Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot this frustrating, intermittent problem? Wait until it becomes constant? ...drive the car with the Honda SRS Inflator Simulator plugged in to rule-out/rule-in the airbag?

I don't want to just swap out components at random -- could be unnecessarily expensive. How would a dealer approach this problem?
Thanks for ANY ideas! --Dave

 
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Dealers would not charge for safety related item? (my guess) unless they find evidence someone messed around the steering wheel

 
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Thanks so much, sdaidoji -- that's helpful insight to know! --Dave

 
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Did they charge anything to fix that ???
I have the same problem as you do and I don't want to waste my time looking for everything that could possibly be the cause...

 
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Hi Jeremy21, there's a short answer and a long answer...
Short answer: my problem disappeared with the advent of a hot summer in the midwest, so I haven't pursued it further. But I think it may likely come back in the winter, so I'll have to deal with it then.

Unfortunately, I think a dealer would probably charge for it (unless your car's under warranty), and -- from what I've read -- they may try to just swap out components until the problem goes away (starting with the most expensive item, the airbag).

For my case, I think it may be the "clockspring" ($100) and not the airbag ($800). If you do decide to go to a dealer, and they tell you that you need a new airbag, I'd ask them "how do you know it's not the clockspring"? If they're just guessing, it may be cheaper to start with the clockspring replacement first, to see if the problem disappears.

I'll explain why I think my problem is the clockspring in my "Long answer" post, to follow next....

 
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Hi Jeremy, here's Part 2... my "long answer":

First point: this assumes that you've gotten the "driver first airbag error" fault (B0001-13). There can be MANY faults in the airbag (SRS) system, which range from "cheap-to-fix" to "very-expensive-to-fix". An ordinary "OBD code reader" may NOT be able to display SRS codes, you may need to search around to find someone who can read SRS error codes (e.g., Amazon sells readers, an autoparts shop?, or a dealer).

Second point: the steering wheel airbag and ALL the steering wheel switches connect to the car via a "clockspring" -- it allows you to turn your steering wheel back and forth without tangling up all the "wires".

The clockspring is a complex part which has long "flat-flex-cables" all coiled up. There's a kind of slippery grease which allows the cables to slide on each other. I bought a cheap clockspring on eBay and took it apart to see what's inside. Attached are some photos -- the flat-flex-cables are very long, about 3 feet.

The photos show an intact clockspring and a clockspring taken apart. (To be continued...)

 
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Hi Jeremy, here's Part 3, "long answer (cont'd)":

You can see the clockspring is pretty complicated -- I think a weak spot in the design. The internal grease allows the cables to slide, and I'm GUESSING that -- if the grease dries out or gets stiff (as in my case, the car sat idle for MANY months) -- the cables can pull on each other and perhaps intermittently disconnect (??).

Anyway, Honda charges about $100 for a clockspring, but you can get one on RockAuto for about $40. There's actually a YouTube video on how to replace it, if one is DIY-inclined. (Search YouTube for "2012-2015 Honda Civic Airbag Clockspring Replacement DIY" and look for the post by "Civic Minded").

(Warning: one has to be *extremely*, *extremely* careful when working on the SRS system -- any small static charge can trigger and set things off!!)

Bottom line: if you get an intermittent (steering wheel airbag) problem, and you can't *definitively* tell where the problem is, it may be cheaper to start with the clockspring replacement (either by the dealer, a willing local mechanic, or DIY). I wouldn't just jump to replacing the airbag!

Anyway, that's my take... I hope this all helps. (I'll probably have to deal with this, come winter!)

Good luck!
MidwestDave

 
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Hi Jeremy... a final caveat:
just remember that any DIY repairs on one's Honda may void any remaining warranty coverage, something to keep in mind. (That may also apply to local mechanics, I'm not sure...)

--Dave