Code
B1951
Other
B — Body
Seat Rear Up/Down Potentiometer Feedback Circuit Open
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Broken or disconnected signal wire between potentiometer and control module
- Corroded or loose connector terminals
- Internal failure of the seat potentiometer (wiper open)
- Poor or missing ground or reference voltage supply
- Intermittent open caused by harness chafing at seat pivot points
- Faulty body control module (rare) or incorrect module programming
Symptoms
- Seat up/down adjustment does not respond or moves erratically
- Seat position memory may fail or not store positions
- Stored DTC B1951 and possibly related seat position codes
- Instrument cluster or message center may display a seat system warning
- Seat motor may run but position feedback is not recognized
What to check
- Use a scan tool to read stored freeze-frame data and live potentiometer values
- Visually inspect connectors and wiring at seat, under-rail harness, and module
- Wiggle test wiring while monitoring live data for intermittent changes
- Check for applicable fuses and presence of reference voltage at connector
- Measure resistance/continuity of harness between potentiometer and module
Signal parameters
- Typical 3-wire potentiometer: 5 V reference (Vref), ground, and wiper (signal)
- Wiper voltage expected to vary approximately 0–5 V (commonly ~0.5–4.5 V) as seat moves
- Potentiometer resistance commonly in the kilo-ohm range (manufacturer-specific)
- Open-circuit indicated by no wiper voltage or infinite resistance
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve fault details with a scan tool; note freeze frame and any related codes.
- Visually inspect the seat potentiometer connector for corrosion, bent pins, or separation. Re-seat connectors.
- With ignition on, backprobe the connector and confirm presence of Vref (~5 V) and ground.
- Operate the seat while monitoring the wiper (signal) voltage. It should change smoothly as the seat moves. If flat/no change, suspect open or failed pot.
- If no signal voltage, disconnect connector and measure continuity between the module pin and potentiometer signal terminal. Repair any open circuits.
- If wiring and connectors are good but signal absent, measure resistance across pot terminals. Infinite/open indicates a failed potentiometer; replace.
- After repairs, clear codes and verify proper operation and that the DTC does not return. If DTC returns with correct wiring and pot, consider module fault and consult manufacturer-specific procedures.
Likely causes
- Wiring open at seat base where harness flexes
- Disconnected connector after seat repair or removal
- Failed potentiometer due to wear or contamination
- Blown fuse or interrupted reference voltage feed
- Corrosion inside multi-pin connector
Fault status
Status
Seat rear up/down potentiometer feedback circuit open — control module detects no position feedback (open circuit).
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 0.5-1.5 hours
Similar codes
Repair manuals
Brands with available manuals
8,071
The library contains 8,071 repair and diagnostic manuals. Choose a brand to open the full manual tree by year, model and trim.
Your experience will help others
+100 karma for a short comment :)
Was this AI description helpful?
Your feedback helps improve AI descriptions.
👍 Like
0
👎 Dislike
0
Send to email