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Home / DTC / B16A7 — Tail lamp(RH) circuit short

B16A7 — Tail lamp(RH) circuit short

Detailed page for trouble code B16A7.

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Code

B16A7

MITSUBISHI B — Body

Tail lamp(RH) circuit short

Brand: MITSUBISHI
Type: B — Body
AI status
Completed
ready
Completed 100%
Page language: EN

Causes

  • Damaged or pinched wiring in RH tail lamp harness
  • Corroded or water-intruded tail lamp connector or socket
  • Shorted bulb (incandescent) or internal LED driver fault
  • Poor or shorted ground at tail lamp body/chassis
  • Aftermarket trailer wiring or accessories tied into the tail circuit
  • Faulty Body Control Module (BCM) or output driver

Symptoms

  • Right tail lamp inoperative or flickering
  • Illumination warning or lamp-out message on dash
  • Blown fuse related to rear lighting (may be intermittent)
  • Stored B16A7 trouble code and possibly other lighting codes
  • Potential battery drain with lights off (in severe shorts)

What to check

  • Retrieve/confirm DTC with scan tool and note freeze frame / lamp status
  • Visual inspection of RH tail lamp, socket, bulb/LED module and connector for corrosion, water or damage
  • Operate lighting controls while observing lamp behavior and scan tool outputs
  • Check fuses and any related relays for damage or blow history
  • Disconnect the RH tail lamp connector — see if code clears or lamp output changes
  • Measure voltage at the lamp connector (key ON / lights ON) and check for unintended continuity to ground or battery

Signal parameters

  • Expected: approx. battery voltage (~12–14 V) at the lamp positive terminal with lights ON
  • Expected: near 0 V (no supply) at lamp positive terminal with lights OFF (unless multiplexed)
  • Open-circuit: high resistance between supply and ground at the lamp connector when disconnected
  • Typical incandescent tail lamp current: 0.1–2 A depending on bulb (verify spec); LED currents are lower—check factory spec
  • Any near-zero resistance between positive and ground at the harness connector indicates a short

Diagnostic algorithm

  1. Connect a capable scan tool, read and record B16A7 and any related codes, note conditions when fault set.
  2. Visually inspect RH tail lamp assembly (bulb or LED module), lens, socket and connector for signs of corrosion, water ingress, melted plastic or foreign metal debris. Replace damaged components as needed.
  3. With ignition ON and lights commanded ON, measure voltage at the tail lamp connector positive terminal. If battery voltage present and lamp not lit, suspect bulb/LED or poor ground.
  4. With connector disconnected, use a multimeter to check continuity from the circuit positive lead to chassis ground. A low resistance indicates a short to ground. Conversely check for short to battery positive with circuit off.
  5. If short present, isolate by disconnecting intermediate connectors or removing sections of harness (start at body side connector) until short clears. Inspect wiring harness routing for chafing points near body panels, bumper, or fasteners.
  6. Inspect and test ground connections for resistance to chassis; clean and tighten ground points if high resistance found.
  7. If harness and lamp assembly test good, check BCM output by monitoring output driver with oscilloscope or by substituting a known-good BCM if available (follow manufacturer procedures).
  8. Repair tested wiring, replace damaged connectors or lamp units. Protect repaired sections with proper sleeving and secure routing.
  9. Clear codes, perform functional test of lighting through multiple cycles, and verify no reappearance of the code and correct current/voltage readings.

Likely causes

  • Chafed insulation allowing conductor contact with chassis or another wire
  • Moisture in lamp housing causing short between terminals
  • Incorrect bulb type or debris in socket causing a short
  • Loose or corroded connector pins creating intermittent shorts
  • Wiring damaged during service (panel removal, bumper removal)
  • BCM output driver failed causing low resistance to ground or supply

Fault status

⚠️ Status
B16A7 set when the body control module detects a short condition in the right tail lamp circuit (unexpected low resistance to battery or ground). The fault may set as a stored or intermittent code depending on severity; lamp operation may be affected. Investigation should include lamp unit, connector, wiring harness and BCM output.
🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours

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