NTB-14-084

SB-10056181-4531
Classification:
RS14-011
Reference:
Date:
NTB14-084
August 29, 2014
2 SENSOR OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS AND INFORMATION
APPLIED VEHICLES: 2013 - 2015 Altima (L33)
2013 - 2014 Sentra (B17)
2013 - 2014 Pathfinder (R52)
2014 Pathfinder Hybrid (R52)
2013 - 2015 LEAF (ZE0)
2013 - 2014 NV200 (M20)
2014 NV200 Taxi (M20)
2014 Rogue (T32)
INTRODUCTION
Nissan is issuing this Technical Service Bulletin to further clarify for service technicians the
diagnosis and resolution process for customer inquiries about Occupant Classification Systems
(OCS) operation. This TSB applies only to vehicles using the two stain gauge OCS, and
explains the pressures necessary to confirm that this type of OCS is operating as designed.
Because the OCS responds to different occupant seating posture, this TSB also provides
information to evaluate OCS performance in that context, and to assist customer in
understanding appropriate seating posture which will facilitate correct OCS operation.
SERVICE INFORMATION
NOTE:
 This bulletin applies to all vehicles with 2-sensor ODS systems, including those vehicles
with R1405 recall already performed.

If you confirm the vehicle is still subject to the R1405 recall, please perform it
immediately.
SYSTEM BACKGROUND:
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is designed to classify the size of the front seat
passenger and automatically turn OFF the passenger air bag under some conditions. Section 1
of the owner’s manual has a detailed description of how the occupant classification system is
designed to operate in accordance with Federal regulations. The issues being described may
indicate normal operation, depending on the size of the passenger seat occupant. We urge the
customer to please read that section of the owner’s manual.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
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Suggested Repair Information
Table A
MODEL
MODEL
YEAR
13-15
13-14
13
14
L33
B17
R52
R52
14
R52
13-15
13-14
14
ZE0
M20
T32
PABI
B00A0MODEL LIGHT
B00A0ALL OTHER
00, 02,
B1018 B1019 B1020
NAME
ISSUE
04
CONDITIONS
09
ONLY
Altima
1
1&2
2
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
Sentra
1
1&2
2
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
Pathfinder
1
N/A
N/A
1&2
1&2
2
3
Pathfinder
1
1&2
2
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
Pathfinder
1
1&2
2
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
Hybrid
LEAF
1
1&2
2
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
NV200
1
N/A
N/A
1&2
1&2
2
3
Rogue
1
1&2
2
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
NOTE:
 The 13MY Pathfinder and all model years of NV200 do not support a B00A0-00
DTC (light will flash without setting DTC). If the airbag light flashes for these
models (first confirm that the vehicle is not in diagnostic mode), please
replace the OCS sensors and OCS C/U and perform a zero point reset.
 If there is a Passenger Air-Bag Indicator (PABI) light only issue WITHOUT DTCs,
replacement of the OCS C/U or the ACU is not required.
Sequence 1:

Replace OCS sensors at lowest possible service part level (this may be the lower
seat frame or full passenger seat depending upon model).

Please note the seat bolts need to be torqued to specification.

Perform zero point reset.

Return to service manual procedures.
Sequence 2:

Replace OCS C/U.

Perform zero point reset.

Return to service manual procedures.
Sequence 3:

Follow service manual procedures.
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NTB14-084
Diagnostic Support
Please use Table B to verify and understand operation of the 2-sensor OCS * system.
To use the chart, please buckle the driver seat belt. If diagnostic testing with a passenger,
the passenger needs to be unbuckled to obtain seat belt light status as shown in the table
below.
Please note that leaving the passenger seat unbuckled is ONLY for diagnostic purposes
while the vehicle is NOT MOVING in the service area of the dealership.
Table B
CONDITION
DESCRIPTION
PABI LIGHT
RESULT
SEAT BELT
LIGHT RESULT
FRONT
PASSENGER
AIRBAG
STATUS
Empty
Empty front passenger
seat
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
Nobody
Somebody
Adult
Bag (computer, duffle, etc.) in
the front passenger seat
Child or adult of small stature
in the front passenger seat
Average size adult in the
front passenger seat
*Please note that airbag data monitor in Consult will indicate front passenger airbag status
in real time.
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NTB14-084
Potential Concerns and Appropriate Procedures
1. Child seated in the front passenger seat – OCS status light is OFF, meaning the front
passenger air bag is not off.

First, urge the customer to immediately heed the Owner’s Manual instructions and
place all children in the back seat, properly belted and restrained in the CRS as
needed.
2. Adult seated in the front passenger seat – OCS status light is ON, meaning the front
passenger air bag is off.

Perform regular diagnostic repairs.
3. General complaints of OCS status light ON for some occupants, and OFF for others.

Urge the customer to review the Owner’s Manual. System operation may be
appropriate unless their description of the size of the occupants is inconsistent with
the Owner’s Manual.
4. Complaints of OCS light illuminating and shutting off intermittently when seat is
occupied by a small stature occupant.

Urge the customer to review the Owner’s Manual.

Suggest the following:
i. Position the passenger seat as far back as possible.
ii. Sit as upright as possible in the center of the seat cushion with the seatback in
the upright position.
iii. Sit back into the seat (not on the front edge) and place your feet flat on the floor.
iv. Allow time for the system to properly classify the front passenger before pulling
away from a stopped condition.
v. Always use your seat belt properly.
Reminders
1. If there are customer concerns of the system taking longer than anticipated to classify the
front passenger during a stopped condition, please suggest decreasing A/C fan speed until
the classification is complete.
NOTE: Classification is primarily done while the vehicle is at idle and not moving. This is
the best condition to accurately classify the passenger using the strain gage sensors
under the passenger seat. Maximum fan speed can increase the time required for
accurate classification.
2. Please remember that that the PABI light only indicates the status of the front passenger
airbag. All other airbags are unaffected.
3. Remember, all air bags are supplemental restraint systems. Please remind customers to
always use seat belts and child restraints properly as explained in the vehicle owner’s
manual.
4. No children in the front seat!
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NTB14-084
Page 1
________________________________________________________________________
Page 2
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NTB14-084
Appendix that Technicians can share with Customers
(If system is confirmed to be operating as designed or if the customer has additional
questions.)
It is important that you understand how the system operates. Section 1 of the owner’s
manual has a detailed description of how the occupant classification system is designed to
operate in accordance with Federal regulations. The issues being described may indicate
normal operation, depending on the size of the passenger seat occupant. We urge the
customer to please read that section of the owner’s manual first. Then if they still believe
there is an issue, please have them return to the dealership to have the vehicle properly
diagnosed by a trained service technician.
NORMAL OPERATION:
In order for the OCS to classify the right front passenger based on weight, please follow the
precautions and steps outlined below:
1. Adjust the seat as outlined in the Safety section (section 1) of the Owner’s Manual. Sit
upright, leaning against the seat back, and centered on the seat cushion with your feet
comfortably extended to the floor.
2. Make sure there are no objects on the occupant’s lap.
3. Fasten the seat belt as outlined in the Safety section (section 1) of the Owner’s Manual.
4. Remain in this position for 30 seconds allowing the system to classify the passenger
before the vehicle is put into motion.
5. Ensure proper classification by checking the Passenger Airbag Status Light.
PRECAUTIONS

Make sure there are no objects weighing over 2.2 lbs. (1 kg) hanging on the seat or
placed in the seat-back pocket.

Make sure that a child seat or other object is not pressing against the rear of the
seat-back.

Make sure that a rear passenger is not pushing or pulling on the back of the front
passenger's seat.

Make sure that the front seat or seat-back is not forced back against an object on
the seat or floor behind it.

Make sure that there is not an object(s) placed under the front passenger's seat.
NOTE: This vehicle’s OCS locks the classification during driving, so it is important
that you confirm that the passenger is properly classified prior to driving. Also, the
OCS may recalculate the weight of the occupant when the vehicle comes to a stop
(i.e. stop light, stop sign etc.), so front passenger seat occupants should continue to
remain seated as outlined above.
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TROUBLESHOOTING:
If you think the Passenger Airbag Status light is incorrect.
1. If the light is ON without a front passenger and no object(s) on the front
passenger seat.

This may be due to one or more of the following conditions interfering with the
weight sensors:
 An object weighing over 2.2 lbs. (1 kg) hanging on the seat or placed in the
seat-back pocket.
 A child seat or other object pressing against the rear of the seat-back.
 A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger's seat.
 The front seat or seat-back is forced back against an object on the seat or
floor behind it.
 An object placed under the front passenger's seat.
 An object placed between the seat cushion and center console or between
door and cushion.
If the vehicle is moving please come to a stop when it is safe to do so. Check and correct
any of the above conditions. Restart the vehicle and wait one minute (NOTE: A system
check will be performed during which the passenger airbag status light will remain ON for
about 7 seconds). If the light is still ON after this, the vehicle should be checked by a
Nissan dealer as soon as possible.
2. If the light is ON with an adult occupying the front passenger seat.

Occupant is a small adult  The airbag light is functioning as intended. The front
passenger airbag is suppressed.

If the occupant is not a small adult, then this may be due to the following
conditions that may be interfering with the weight sensors:
 Occupant is not sitting upright, leaning against the seat back, and centered on
the seat cushion with feet comfortably extended to the floor.
 A child seat or other object pressing against the rear of the seat-back.
 A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger's seat.
 The front seat or seat-back is forced back against an object on the seat or
floor behind it.
 An object placed under the front passenger's seat.
 An object placed between the seat cushion and center console or between
the seat cushion and the door.
If the vehicle is moving please come to a stop when it is safe to do so. Check and correct
any of the above conditions. Restart the vehicle and wait one minute (NOTE: A system
check will be performed during which the passenger airbag status light will remain ON for
about 7 seconds). If the light is still ON after this, the person should be advised not to ride
in the front passenger seat and the vehicle should be checked by a Nissan dealer as soon
as possible.
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NTB14-084
3. If the light is OFF with a small adult, child or child restraint occupying the front
passenger seat.

This may be due to the following conditions that may be interfering with the
weight sensors:
 Small adult or child is not sitting upright, leaning against the seat back, and
centered on the seat cushion with feet comfortably extended to the floor.
 The child restraint is not properly installed, as outlined in the Safety section
(section 1) of the Owner’s Manual.
 An object weighing over 2.2 lbs. (1 kg) hanging on the seat or placed in the
seat-back pocket.
 A child seat or other object pressing against the rear of the seat-back.
 A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger's seat.
 The front seat or seat-back is forced back against an object on the seat or
floor behind it.
 An object placed under the front passenger's seat.
 An object placed between the seat cushion and center console.
If the vehicle is moving please come to a stop when it is safe to do so. Check and correct
any of the above conditions. Restart the vehicle and wait one minute (NOTE: A system
check will be performed during which the passenger airbag status light will remain ON for
about 7 seconds). If the light is still OFF after this, the small adult, child or child restraint
should be repositioned in the rear seat and the vehicle should be checked by a Nissan
dealer as soon as possible.
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NTB14-084