B00E1 code meaning
Third Row Right Seat Belt Pretensioner B Deployment Control
What B00E1 means
On the right seat of the third row, B00E1 stands for a B-stage tensioner whose firing loop shows an open, a short or an out-of-window resistance. In no public service document does a manufacturer use B00E1. Where Mercedes-Benz fits a right third-row tensioner, it is the retractor, and the airbag unit reports it as B00E6 (LI54.21-P-070658, versions of March and June 2020). A B stage there would be a buckle or anchor device; NHTSA's 2013 study of pretensioners explains how a buckle unit drags the buckle down by a cable when its charge fires, and GM lists buckle, retractor and anchor units as the three possible types. Expect a lit airbag lamp and no tensioning from this stage until the loop is repaired.
B00E1 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor0.5 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of B00E1
- Airbag lamp on in the instrument cluster
- Occupant at the right of the third row gets no B-stage tensioning
- Safety note: the tensioner contains a pyrotechnic charge; only work on it de-energised (battery off, wait time) and leave it to a specialist workshop
Common causes of B00E1
- Most likelyConnector of the right third-row buckle or anchor tensioner not fully seated
- PossibleWiring under the cargo floor or side trim pinched or damaged by loads
- Less likelyRaised contact resistance at the airbag module plug
- Less likelyDefective squib inside the tensioner
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Third row right pretensioner bSquib circuitSRS control module
What each part of B00E1 means
| B | Body system: airbags, seat belts, power seats, lights and climate control. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| E1 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B00E1 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about B00E1
What does B00E1 mean?
B00E1 means "Third Row Right Seat Belt Pretensioner B Deployment Control". On the right seat of the third row, B00E1 stands for a B-stage tensioner whose firing loop shows an open, a short or an out-of-window resistance. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B00E1?
B00E1 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B00E1 fail an emissions test?
B00E1 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is B00E1 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will B00E1 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.