Code
B1618
Other
B — Body
Wiper Rear Disable Switch Circuit Short To Ground
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Damaged or chafed wiring in the rear wiper disable switch circuit
- Corroded or bent connector pins at the switch or body control module (BCM)
- Water intrusion in connectors or switch assembly
- Faulty rear wiper disable switch (internal short)
- Short between the switch circuit and a grounded body panel or chassis
- Faulty BCM or control module input (less common)
Symptoms
- Rear wiper does not enable or operate
- Wiper disable warning or message on dash (if equipped)
- Intermittent rear wiper operation or stuck-off condition
- Related fuses may blow or other tailgate electrical items may malfunction
- A stored B1618 (or similar) trouble code in the vehicle control module
What to check
- Retrieve freeze-frame and full DTC list with a scan tool; note related codes
- Visually inspect harness along tailgate/tailgate hinge and grommet for damage, pinching, or chafing
- Inspect rear wiper disable switch connector and BCM connector for corrosion, bent pins, or water intrusion
- Check for aftermarket accessories or recent repairs near the affected wiring that might have disturbed routing
- Check related fuse(s) for open condition
Signal parameters
- With switch disconnected, measure circuit continuity to chassis ground — should be open/high resistance if circuit is healthy
- With switch in known positions, expected behavior: circuit should switch between a reference voltage/open and low impedance only when intentionally grounded; an unexpected near-zero volt reading indicates short to ground
- Use a digital multimeter to confirm resistance: near 0 Ω indicates direct short to ground, high kΩ/OL indicates open or no short
Diagnostic algorithm
- Connect a scan tool and confirm B1618; record any accompanying codes and freeze-frame data.
- Visually inspect rear wiper switch, tailgate harness, grommets, and connectors for damage, corrosion, or water entry.
- With ignition OFF, disconnect the rear wiper disable switch connector. Inspect pins for corrosion/bending and clean if needed.
- Measure resistance/continuity from the switched circuit pin at the harness to chassis ground. If near 0 Ω, trace wiring forward from the switch to find the short (check at splice points, grommets, and body panels).
- If circuit is open/high resistance with switch disconnected, reconnect switch and measure voltage at the switch connector with ignition ON while operating the switch. Compare to expected (open vs grounded states).
- If short follows wiring harness and not the switch, repair or replace damaged section of wiring, use proper routing and grommets, and seal connectors.
- If wiring and switch test good, test/replace the BCM or have module bench-tested by a qualified shop (module faults are less common).
- After repair, clear codes, perform functional test of rear wiper operation, and road/test cycle the system to ensure no return of fault.
Likely causes
- Wiring rubbed through near hinge, tailgate, or grommet allowing conductor contact with chassis ground
- Corrosion or bent pins in the tailgate/pigtail connector causing low resistance to ground
- Failed switch assembly with internal short to ground
- Water ingress in connector causing conductivity to ground
Fault status
Status
Circuit short to ground detected on rear wiper disable switch input — input is pulled low when it should be open or at reference voltage.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours
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