C0262

Code

Generic C — Chassis

Lateral acceleration sensor circuit short to ground

Brand: Generic

Type: C — Chassis

Views: UK: 23 EN: 25 RU: 13

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Page language: EN

Causes

Damaged sensor wiring or harness chafing contacting chassis ground
Corroded or pushed-out connector pins allowing short to ground
Failed lateral acceleration sensor internal short
Water intrusion or contamination at sensor connector
Improperly routed aftermarket wiring contacting chassis or ground point
Faulty ABS/ESC control module input (less common)

Symptoms

ABS, ESC/traction control or stability warning lamp illuminated
Loss or limited operation of stability/traction control systems
Stored fault C0262 (Lateral acceleration sensor circuit short to ground)
Possible limp or degraded handling/stability intervention
Noisy or erratic stability system behavior in some cases

What to check

Read stored codes and freeze-frame data with a scan tool; confirm C0262 and any related codes
Visually inspect lateral acceleration sensor, mounting, connector and visible wiring for damage, corrosion, or water
Inspect harness routing for chafing, pinch points or contact with chassis ground points or body
Back-probe sensor connector and measure reference supply (typically 5 V), signal voltage and ground
Measure continuity between sensor signal pin and chassis ground with connector disconnected
Perform wiggle test on harness while monitoring signal for intermittent shorts

Signal parameters

Typical supply/reference: ~5 V (vehicle dependent) to sensor Vcc
Expected signal at 0 g: ~2.5 V (mid-rail); varies above/below with lateral acceleration
Normal dynamic swing: roughly ±0.5–1.0 V from mid-rail depending on sensor spec
Short-to-ground condition: signal voltage approaches 0 V (or very low) and shows low impedance to chassis ground
Expected continuity: signal pin to ground should be open/high resistance;

Diagnostic algorithm

Connect a scan tool and confirm C0262; note freeze-frame and related codes (ABS, yaw, roll, wheel speed).
Visually inspect the LAT sensor, connector and harness route for damage, corrosion or water entry. Repair visible damage.
With ignition ON (engine off), back-probe sensor connector: verify reference voltage present and measure signal voltage. Record values.
If signal is near 0 V, disconnect the sensor. If the code clears or signal returns to normal with sensor disconnected, suspect a short in the sensor or its immediate wiring.
Check continuity between signal wire and chassis ground with the connector disconnected. Short indicated by low resistance (
If continuity shows open/high resistance, trace harness toward module, checking splice points and ground connections; perform wiggle tests while monitoring continuity and voltage.
If harness shows no short, replace the lateral acceleration sensor and clear codes. Retest to confirm fault does not return.
If fault remains after sensor replacement, inspect the control module input for internal short to ground or replace/repair module per manufacturer procedures.
After repairs, clear codes and perform a road test or dynamic test to verify normal sensor output and stable system operation.

Likely causes

Broken or pinched signal wire contacting vehicle ground
Bent or corroded connector terminal shorted to connector shell or ground
Sensor failed internally causing signal output to be pulled to ground
Repair or modification disturbed harness near sensor (wire tied to ground)
Ground fault inside the control module input circuit

Fault status

⚠️ Status

Stored when the lateral acceleration sensor signal circuit is detected shorted to chassis ground. ABS/ESC warning lamp may be illuminated and stability/traction control functionality can be disabled until fault is corrected.

🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium

⏱️ Diagnostic time: 1.0-2.5 hours