What it means
B0041 indicates the airbag module detects an open circuit or excessive resistance in the driver-side deployment loop. Factory documentation (Saab WIS) calls it “Driver side deployment, open circuit,” and GM procedural guidance directs technicians to test for open/high resistance on the LF (left-front) side-impact/driver loop control circuits when B0041 is present. Saab Wisonline+2Saab Wisonline+2
Typical symptoms
- Airbag/SRS warning lamp on; affected loop inhibited until repaired. Saab Wisonline
Severity / priority
High (safety-critical). An open/high-resistance loop can cause non-deployment in a crash. Saab Wisonline
Common causes
- Broken/chafed wiring or poor connections in the wheel/column/IP harness.
- Clock spring (spiral cable) internal open.
- Connector/terminal issues (oxidation, retracted pins, weak tension).
- Less common: driver airbag module or SRS control unit fault. Saab Wisonline
Diagnostic notes
- Confirm B0041 with an SRS-capable scan tool and capture freeze-frame; follow battery disconnect/wait-time and no-probe rules for inflators.
- Perform harness wiggle tests and visual inspection to reveal intermittents; check connectors for oxidation/pin tension.
- With the inflator safely disconnected per OEM, measure loop/segment resistance and compare to specs; trace any open/high-resistance segment.
- GM guidance: when B0041 is present, test for open/high resistance in the LF module high/low control circuits (companion advice: B0040 → short between high/low; B0045 → short to ground/voltage). Saab Wisonline+1
Possible fixes
- Repair/replace damaged wiring or terminals; restore routing and strain relief.
- Replace the clock spring if continuity testing confirms an internal open.
- Replace the driver airbag module only if it fails OEM-directed resistance/insulation checks; consider SDM/RCM last.
- Clear DTCs, cycle ignition, and re-scan to verify restoration. Saab Wisonline
Primary sources: Saab WIS pages for B0041 (“Driver side deployment, open circuit”) and related SRS diagnostic instructions. Saab Wisonline+1
Procedural corroboration: GM technician guidance detailing what to test when B0041 (open/high-resistance) vs. B0040 (short between high/low) is present. GM-Trucks.com