B1238
Low Severity (Level 2)Over Temperature Fault
B1238 usually means over Temperature Fault.
Can you still drive with B1238?
⚠️Short-distance driving is usually OK, but have this diagnosed within a week to prevent further damage.
Typical repair cost: $50 – $600
Severity Level 2 — Low
This code indicates a minor issue that is unlikely to cause immediate driveability problems. You can typically continue driving but should have the vehicle inspected at your earliest convenience.
Common Symptoms
- Warning light or malfunction indicator related to the body electrical system is illuminated
- The body electrical system is not operating as designed
- Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) stored in module memory
- Fault may be intermittent — code may clear itself and reappear
- Reduced vehicle functionality related to the body electrical system
Possible Causes
- Faulty body control module or wiring — most common cause, test before replacing
- Damaged or corroded wiring/connector in the body electrical system circuit
- Blown fuse or faulty relay for the body electrical system
- Poor ground connection — check and clean all related ground points
- Control module fault — rare but possible, only consider after ruling out simpler causes
Common Fixes
- Scan vehicle with a professional-grade OBD2 scanner to read all stored codes and freeze frame data — note the conditions when the code set ($8-87 at shop, free at auto parts store for basic scan)
- Visually inspect the body electrical system wiring harness and connectors — look for chafed wires, melted insulation, green corrosion, loose pins, or rodent damage (often free to check yourself, $130 diagnostic fee at shop)
- Replace body control module or wiring if testing confirms it has failed — use OEM quality, avoid the cheapest no-name aftermarket parts that fail in a year ($50-600)
- Check and replace any blown fuses in the body electrical system fuse circuit — if fuse blows again, there's still a short that needs to be found ($5-17 for fuses)
- Perform a wiggle test on the body electrical system wiring harness while monitoring live data — see if the fault returns when you move the harness at different points ($0-108 diagnostic labor)
Estimated Repair Cost
These are estimated costs based on generic repair data. Actual costs may vary depending on your vehicle, location, and labor rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does B1238 mean?
B1238 stands for "Over Temperature Fault". B1238 usually means over Temperature Fault.
Can you drive with B1238?
Short-distance driving is usually OK, but have this diagnosed within a week to prevent further damage.
How much does it cost to fix B1238?
Repair costs for B1238 typically range from $50 to $600, depending on your vehicle make, model, and local labor rates. Common fixes include: Scan vehicle with a professional-grade OBD2 scanner to read all stored codes and freeze frame data — note the conditions when the code set ($8-87 at shop, free at auto parts store for basic scan); Visually inspect the body electrical system wiring harness and connectors — look for chafed wires, melted insulation, green corrosion, loose pins, or rodent damage (often free to check yourself, $130 diagnostic fee at shop); Replace body control module or wiring if testing confirms it has failed — use OEM quality, avoid the cheapest no-name aftermarket parts that fail in a year ($50-600).
Will B1238 clear itself?
Explore Repair Costs
Related OBD-II Codes
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