DTC 51 After Air Bag Deployment

Occasionally, after an air bag deploys, the internal wiring of the air bag(s) may become shorted to the metal housings of the air bag(s). This internal air bag short is detected by the air bag diagnostic monitor as short to ground in the air bag deployment wiring. Since the air bag diagnostic monitor is still operating immediately after most deployments, the air bag diagnostic monitor will detect the shorted wiring and will flash Code 13 or 14 and blow the internal thermal fuse. After the deployment, as the air bag(s) cool off, the internal shorted wiring may correct itself and the short to ground will no longer exist. The air bag diagnostic monitor will flash Code 51. If a vehicle with a deployed air bag is flashing Code 51, inspect and replace parts in all the damaged areas of the vehicle that have crushed wiring, sensors, etc. If no damage is found, assume that the deployed air bag was the cause for the intermittent short and replace the air bag diagnostic monitor when the new air bag(s) is installed. After a short to ground has been corrected, the air bag diagnostic monitor will flash out Diagnostic Trouble Code 51. Diagnostic Trouble Code 51 indicates that the thermal fuse inside the air bag diagnostic monitor is blown and the short to ground no longer exists.

NOTE: Air bag diagnostic monitors can withstand several air bag deployments and do not need to be replaced after every deployment. Only replace the air bag diagnostic monitor if it is damaged.

If a short to ground has been correctly located and serviced, replace air bag diagnostic monitor. Do not replace air bag diagnostic monitor until the short to ground has been positively located and serviced. Replacing air bag diagnostic monitor before servicing a short to ground will result in repeat service.