What Does C1174 Mean?
The park brake switch #2 applied circuit has failed, meaning the secondary parking brake position sensor cannot report brake engagement status to the ABS module. Vehicles with dual park brake switches use them for redundancy and electronic parking brake verification. The driver may see a parking brake warning light and the ABS or stability system may enter a reduced-function mode.
Common Causes
35%
Defective park brake switch #2 (failed internally)
30%
Open or damaged wiring between switch #2 and the ABS module
20%
Corroded or loose connector at the park brake switch #2
15%
ABS module input driver failure for the switch #2 circuit
Diagnostic Steps
1
Check for companion codes C1172, C1173, and C1177. If both switch #1 and #2 codes are present, suspect a shared wiring issue or ABS module fault rather than individual switch failures.
2
Locate park brake switch #2 on the parking brake mechanism. Disconnect and inspect the connector for corrosion, pushed-back terminals, or water damage.
3
With the switch disconnected, measure continuity across the switch terminals: applied position should read near 0 ohms, released position should read open (OL). Replace if it does not toggle properly.
4
Verify wiring integrity by measuring continuity from the switch connector to the corresponding ABS module pin. Spec is less than 2 ohms resistance through the harness.
5
If switch and wiring are good, backprobe the ABS module connector and verify the module is providing the correct reference voltage (typically 5V or 12V) to the switch circuit.
Estimated Repair Cost
$50 - $350
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The park brake switch #2 applied circuit has failed, meaning the secondary parking brake position sensor cannot report brake engagement status to the ABS module. Vehicles with dual park brake switches use them for redundancy and electronic parking brake verification. The driver may see a parking bra...
The most common cause of C1174 (Park Brake Switch # 2 Applied Circuit Failure) is: Defective park brake switch #2 (failed internally)
Typical repair costs for C1174 range from $50 to $350, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
With switch #1 potentially still functional, the system retains some parking brake monitoring. However, redundancy is lost. ABS and stability control may be limited. The vehicle can be driven to a shop, but avoid situations requiring aggressive braking or traction control.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to C1174 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Chassis
System
ABS / Parking Brake System
Difficulty
Type
Manufacturer
Recommended Tools
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