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B0038 — Second Row Right Side Airbag Deployment Control

Generic OBD-II · all makesBody

Code B0038 indicates a malfunction in the deployment control circuit for the right-side airbag located in the second row. The SRS module has detected an electrical anomaly, such as an open or short circuit, that prevents the airbag from deploying correctly.

Symptoms

What causes it — most likely first

1. Damaged Wiring

Chafed, pinched, or broken wires in the floor pan or door sills leading to the second-row airbag.

2. Connector Issues

Loose, corroded, or improperly seated electrical connectors at the airbag or the wiring harness.

3. Faulty Airbag Module

An internal failure of the airbag squib or the deployment mechanism itself.

4. SRS Control Module Failure

Internal electronic failure within the SRS control module (RCM/ACM) preventing the deployment signal.

How it's diagnosed

  1. Perform a full system scan to identify any accompanying SRS fault codes.
  2. Visually inspect the wiring harness beneath the second-row seating for signs of physical damage or abrasion.
  3. Disconnect and inspect the airbag connectors for corrosion, bent pins, or moisture intrusion.
  4. Check the continuity and resistance of the deployment circuit using a high-impedance SRS-specific diagnostic tool.
  5. Verify the integrity of the system ground points associated with the side-impact restraint system.

Code facts & related codes

SystemBody
StandardizationSAE generic — identical on every make
Related codesB0030 — Second Row Left Side Airbag DeploymentB0031 — Second Row Left Frontal Stage 1 DeployB0032 — Second Row Left Frontal Stage 2 DeployB0033 — Second Row Left Frontal Stage 3 DeployB0039 — Second Row Right Frontal Stage 1 DeploB0040 — Third Row Left Side Airbag Deployment

Vehicles this code applies to

The definition is universal; the diagnostics are engine-specific. Open your vehicle for the codes documented for it:

1996 Land Rover Discovery1997 Land Rover Discovery

Frequently asked

Can I use a standard digital multimeter to test the airbag circuit?

No. Standard multimeters can send a small amount of current into the circuit, which may accidentally trigger the airbag to deploy.

Will the airbag still work if the light is on?

Generally, if the SRS warning light is illuminated, the system has disabled the affected airbag (and potentially others) for safety, meaning it may not deploy in an accident.

Is it likely that I need to replace the SRS control module?

No. In the vast majority of cases, B0038 is caused by wiring damage or a faulty airbag module; the control module is rarely the source of the problem.