What Does B1446 Mean?
B1446 indicates the Body Control Module (BCM) has detected a fault in the wiper park sense circuit, which monitors the position of the wiper blades to ensure they return to their home/park position when turned off. The BCM is unable to receive a proper signal from the park position sensor or switch integrated into the wiper motor assembly. This prevents the system from confirming that wipers have properly parked, which may cause wipers to stop in incorrect positions or fail to shut off completely.
Common Causes
45%
Faulty wiper motor park switch or internal sensor failure within the wiper motor assembly
30%
Damaged, corroded, or loose wiring/connectors between wiper motor and BCM
15%
Worn or damaged wiper linkage causing mechanical binding that prevents proper park position detection
10%
Failed Body Control Module (BCM) unable to properly read park sense circuit
Diagnostic Steps
1
Step 1: Perform visual inspection of wiper motor connector and wiring harness for corrosion, damage, or looseness. Check for water intrusion at the wiper motor housing and connector seals.
2
Step 2: Using a digital multimeter, backprobe the park sense circuit wire at the wiper motor connector (typically a reference voltage wire) with ignition on. Verify presence of approximately 5V or 12V reference voltage from BCM per manufacturer specifications.
3
Step 3: Manually cycle wipers on and off while monitoring the park sense signal wire with multimeter or oscilloscope. The signal should transition (typically from high to low or vice versa) when wipers reach park position. No transition indicates faulty park switch in motor.
4
Step 4: With wiper motor disconnected, check continuity and resistance of park sense circuit wiring from motor connector to BCM connector. Resistance should be less than 5 ohms; infinite resistance indicates open circuit in harness.
5
Step 5: Remove wiper motor assembly and bench test the park switch functionality by applying direct power and ground. Rotate motor shaft manually to park position and verify park switch changes state with multimeter.
6
Step 6: If all circuits and motor test normal, suspect BCM failure. Clear codes, reinstall components, and verify proper operation. If code returns immediately with known-good components, BCM replacement may be required.
Estimated Repair Cost
$120 - $450
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
B1446 indicates the Body Control Module (BCM) has detected a fault in the wiper park sense circuit, which monitors the position of the wiper blades to ensure they return to their home/park position when turned off. The BCM is unable to receive a proper signal from the park position sensor or switch ...
The most common cause of B1446 (Wiper Park Sense Circuit Failure) is: Faulty wiper motor park switch or internal sensor failure within the wiper motor assembly
Typical repair costs for B1446 range from $120 to $450, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Generally safe to continue driving, though wipers may not park correctly or could remain on continuously, which can drain the battery and obstruct vision. Should be repaired promptly to ensure proper wiper operation during inclement weather.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to B1446 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Body
System
Wiper/Washer System
Difficulty
Type
Manufacturer
Recommended Tools
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