B1268

Code

LAND ROVER B — Body

Servo motor potentiometer degradation - circuit failure

Brand: LAND ROVER

Type: B — Body

Views: UK: 20 EN: 26 RU: 56

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Page language: EN

Causes

Worn or degraded potentiometer inside the servo/actuator
Open, shorted or intermittent wiring between actuator and control module
Corroded or loose connector pins at actuator or module
Water ingress or contamination of actuator
Mechanical binding or seized actuator causing abnormal feedback
Faulty control module or software anomaly

Symptoms

DTC B1268 stored and a warning lamp or message may be present
Erratic or no movement of the affected servo/actuator
Inaccurate or inconsistent position feedback shown in scan tool live data
Loss of function related to the actuator (e.g., HVAC flap not reaching set position, seat/steering adjustments, headlamp aim)
Audible clicking, grinding or hunting from the actuator

What to check

Read and record all stored codes and freeze frame data with a diagnostic scanner
Check live data for potentiometer voltage/position values while commanding actuator
Visually inspect actuator connector, pins and wiring harness for corrosion, damage or contamination
Back-probe connector and verify reference voltage (typically 5 V) and ground integrity with ignition on (engine off)
Measure signal voltage while manually moving or commanding the actuator to look for smooth change
Perform wiggle test on harness and connector while monitoring live data for intermittent changes

Signal parameters

Reference voltage: typically ~5 V (consult vehicle wiring diagram for exact value)
Signal voltage: typically varies between ~0.5 V and ~4.5 V proportional to position (should change smoothly as actuator moves)
Ground: solid chassis or dedicated sensor ground (low resistance to body ground)
Resistance: internal potentiometer resistance may be specified by manufacturer (measure with actuator disconnected)
If actuator uses PWM feedback instead of analog, expect a duty-cycle/frequency signal (consult OEM specs)

Diagnostic algorithm

Safety: park vehicle, apply parking brake, isolate power if required and follow manufacturer safety procedures.
Connect a diagnostic scan tool. Retrieve B1268 and any related codes; note freeze frame and live data values for the actuator potentiometer.
Command the actuator through the scanner and observe the live feedback value. Look for smooth, proportional change across the full travel.
Visually inspect the actuator and wiring. Look for corrosion, damage, burnt insulation, evidence of water ingress or physical binding.
Back-probe the actuator connector (key ON, engine OFF). Verify reference voltage, signal voltage and ground. Compare to expected ranges.
With actuator disconnected, measure potentiometer resistance between specified pins per wiring diagram. Check for open circuits or wildly fluctuating resistance when moving the actuator manually (if possible).
Perform a wiggle test on harness and connectors while monitoring live data to detect intermittent faults.
If wiring and connector check good but feedback is out of spec or noisy, replace the actuator (potentiometer assembly).
After repair, clear codes and re-test full system operation and live data. Confirm actuator responds correctly under commanded positions and no intermittent faults recur.
If faults persist after replacing the actuator, inspect/replace related module or investigate further with manufacturer diagnostic procedures and wiring diagrams.

Likely causes

Carbon track wear inside potentiometer causing noisy or out-of-range signal
Damaged insulation or chafed wires causing intermittent contact
Poor ground or missing reference voltage to the potentiometer
Connector corrosion (moisture ingress), bent pins, or partial terminal contact
Actuator gear/mechanism binding and stressing the potentiometer
Rare: internal module input circuit failure

Fault status

⚠️ Status

Control module has detected potentiometer feedback degradation or circuit fault for the servo motor. Feedback signal is out of expected range, inconsistent, or intermittent; actuator position cannot be reliably determined.

🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium

⏱️ Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours

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B1268 — Servo motor potentiometer degradation - circuit failure