What Does B1613 Mean?
This code indicates that the Body Control Module (BCM) has detected a short to battery voltage in the rear wiper mode select switch circuit. The BCM monitors the rear wiper switch inputs and has identified that one or more switch signal wires are receiving constant battery voltage when they should only show voltage during specific switch positions. This fault prevents proper rear wiper mode selection and may cause unintended rear wiper operation.
Common Causes
40%
Damaged or chafed wiring harness causing short to power in the rear wiper switch circuit, often near hinges or moving body panels
30%
Failed rear wiper mode select switch with internal short circuit allowing battery voltage to backfeed into signal circuits
20%
Corroded or moisture-damaged connector at rear wiper switch or BCM causing cross-circuit contamination and voltage leakage
10%
Faulty Body Control Module with internal switching circuit failure creating false short-to-battery detection
Diagnostic Steps
1
Step 1: Perform visual inspection of rear wiper switch wiring harness, particularly at tailgate hinge areas and routing points, looking for chafed insulation, pinched wires, or visible damage that could contact power sources
2
Step 2: Disconnect the rear wiper mode select switch connector and measure voltage at the switch signal circuit pins at the harness side with ignition on - should read 0V or low reference voltage (typically 5V or less); battery voltage (12V+) confirms short to power in the harness
3
Step 3: If no voltage found at harness, measure resistance through the switch in various positions - infinite resistance in all positions indicates open switch, very low resistance (near 0 ohms) to power pin indicates internal switch short
4
Step 4: Inspect and clean all connectors in the circuit using electrical contact cleaner, checking for corrosion, pushed-back pins, or moisture intrusion at switch connector and BCM connector
5
Step 5: If harness and switch test good, perform voltage drop test on BCM input circuit while moving wiring harness to identify intermittent shorts; verify BCM ground circuits have less than 0.1V drop
6
Step 6: Clear codes, cycle rear wiper through all modes, and verify repair by monitoring live data for proper switch state changes without battery voltage present when not commanded
Estimated Repair Cost
$100 - $450
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
This code indicates that the Body Control Module (BCM) has detected a short to battery voltage in the rear wiper mode select switch circuit. The BCM monitors the rear wiper switch inputs and has identified that one or more switch signal wires are receiving constant battery voltage when they should o...
The most common cause of B1613 (Wiper Rear Mode Select Switch Circuit Short To Battery) is: Damaged or chafed wiring harness causing short to power in the rear wiper switch circuit, often near hinges or moving body panels
Typical repair costs for B1613 range from $100 to $450, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Safe to continue driving as this only affects rear wiper operation and does not impact vehicle safety systems or driveability. Repair at convenience, though rear window visibility may be compromised in wet conditions if wiper becomes inoperative.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to B1613 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Body
System
Body Electrical System - Rear Wiper Control
Difficulty
Type
Manufacturer
Recommended Tools
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