Classification:

Reference:

RS14-011a

Date:

NTB14-084a

December 10, 2015

2-SENSOR OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS AND INFORMATION
This bulletin has been amended. Changes have been made on all pages.
Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES: 2013 - 2016 Altima (L33)
2013 - 2016 Sentra (B17)
2013 - 2016 Pathfinder (R52)
2014 Pathfinder Hybrid (R52)
2013 - 2016 LEAF (ZE0)

2013 - 2015 NV200 (M20)
2014 - 2015 Taxi
2014 - 2016 Rogue (T32)
2015 - 2016 Murano (Z52)
2016 Maxima (A36)

INTRODUCTION
Nissan is issuing this Technical Service Bulletin to further clarify for Service Advisors and
Service Technicians how to correctly diagnose potential Occupant Classification Systems
(OCS) issues, and also how to explain to customers when the (OCS) in their vehicle is
operating normally, as described in the Owner’s Manual. This TSB applies only to vehicles
using the 2-sensor OCS, and explains the procedures necessary to confirm that this type of
OCS is operating as designed.
Because the OCS is designed to respond to different occupant seating postures, this TSB
provides information on how to evaluate OCS performance in that context, with an
Appendix to be used to assist customers in understanding appropriate seating posture
which will facilitate correct OCS operation.

INSTRUCTIONS
Before attempting any diagnostics and repairs, service technicians must familiarize
themselves with the subject OCS system by reading the SERVICE INFORMATION section
of this bulletin (pages 2-3).
Do not attempt any repairs unless “improper operation” of the OCS is confirmed. Refer to
Quick Reference Diagnostic Flow Charts for Passenger Air Bag Indicator Light (page 4),
Seat Belt Warning Light (page 5), and Supplemental Restraint System with DTC B00A0
(page 6).

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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SERVICE INFORMATION
NOTE:
 If you confirm a vehicle is subject to any Voluntary Recall Campaign that has not
been performed, perform it immediately.


The following campaigns related to OCS may apply to a vehicle you are working on:
 NTB13-033 (Recall Campaign # PC214)
 NTB14-027 (Recall Campaign # R1405)
 NTB15-091 (Recall Campaign # PC408)

System Background
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is designed to classify the front seat occupant
and automatically turn OFF (inhibit) 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. Urge the customer to please read that section of the Owner’s Manual.
NOTE: In the following sections, the Passenger Air Bag Indicator light (also known as
the Passenger Air Bag status light) is referred to as the PABI light (

).

Basic Operation
Please use Table A to verify and understand the operation of the 2-sensor OCS.
To use the chart, please buckle the driver seat belt. If diagnosing/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 A
PABI LIGHT
CONDITION

(

DESCRIPTION

)

RESULT

Empty
Nobody
Somebody
Adult

Empty front passenger seat
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

OFF
(dark)
ON
(illuminated)
ON
(illuminated)
OFF
(dark)

SEAT BELT

(

LIGHT
RESULT

)

FRONT
PASSENGER
AIR BAG
STATUS

OFF
(dark)

INHIBITED

OFF (dark)

INHIBITED

ON
(illuminated)
ON
(illuminated)

INHIBITED
ACTIVATED

NOTE: Air bag data monitor in CONSULT-III plus will indicate front passenger air bag
status in real time.

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NTB14-084a

Potential Concerns and Appropriate Procedures

) is OFF (dark),
1. Child seated in the front passenger seat and the PABI light (
meaning the front passenger air bag is enabled and may deploy in a crash.
 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 child
restraint system as needed.
2. Adult seated in the front passenger seat and the PABI light (
) is ON (illuminated),
meaning the front passenger air bag is inhibited and will not deploy in a crash.
 Perform regular diagnostic repairs.
3. General complaints of PABI light (
) ON (illuminated) for some occupants, and OFF
(dark) 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 the PABI light (
) illuminating and going OFF (dark) intermittently
when the seat is occupied by a small stature occupant.
 Urge the customer to review their vehicle’s 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 sensors
under the passenger seat. Maximum fan speed can increase the time required for
accurate classification.
2. The PABI light only indicates the status of the front passenger air bag. All other air bags
are unaffected.
3. 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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NTB14-084a

Quick Reference Diagnostic Flow Charts
Passenger Air Bag Indicator (PABI) Light Flow Chart

Example of PABI light
Is the PABI light performing
to
Electronic Service Manual YES
NO
(ESM)/Owner’s Manual/TSB
description?
DO NOT ATTEMPT
ANY REPAIRS

Front passenger seat
rail-to-floor bolts
torque okay?

Re-torque bolts by proper
sequence and torque
specification (refer to related
ESM), and then perform
Zero Point Reset

NO

YES

All related harnesses:
Connections, pin
fit/alignment okay?

NO

Resolve connection/pin
fit/alignment issue, and
then perform Zero Point
Reset

YES

Replace OCS sensors,
and then perform
Zero Point Reset

Did Zero Point Reset
Complete?

NO

Was the “Re-torque bolts”
procedure above actually
done?

NO
YES

End

YES

Replace OCS control unit,
and then perform
Zero Point Reset

Did Zero Point Reset
Complete?

NO

Replace the lower seat frame, and
then perform Zero Point Reset

YES

End

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Seat Belt Warning Light Flow Chart
NOTE: This flow chart is NOT for seat belt buckle related issues.

Example of seatbelt warning
Is the seat belt warning light
performing to
YES
NO
ESM/Owner’s Manual/TSB
description?
DO NOT ATTEMPT
ANY REPAIRS

Front passenger seat
rail-to-floor bolts
torque okay?

Re-torque bolts by proper
sequence and torque
specification (refer to related
ESM), and then perform
Zero Point Reset