B1396
Low Severity (Level 1)Power Door Lock Circuit Short To Battery
B1396 usually means power Door Lock Circuit Short To Battery.
Can you still drive with B1396?
✅Safe to drive — this is an informational or minor issue. Schedule diagnosis at your convenience.
Typical repair cost: $100 – $600
Severity Level 1 — 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
- Battery draining overnight or when vehicle is parked
- Power door locks not responding to controls — stuck in one state
- Power door locks not responding to key fob or interior switch
- Excessive current draw on the power door lock/latch system circuit (fuse may blow repeatedly)
Possible Causes
- Damaged wiring in the power door lock/latch system harness shorted to a 12V power source — wiring insulation chafed through from rubbing against metal body panels
- Water intrusion or corrosion in power door lock/latch system electrical connector causing internal short to battery voltage
- Failed door lock actuator — internal short to power within the component
- Aftermarket accessory installation tapped into the wrong circuit, back-feeding 12V
- Broken wire in the door jamb wiring boot — harness flexes every time the door opens, eventually wires break inside the rubber boot
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 ($32-110 at shop, free at auto parts store for basic scan)
- Visually inspect the power door lock/latch system wiring harness and connectors — look for chafed wires, melted insulation, green corrosion, loose pins, or rodent damage (often free to check yourself, $59 diagnostic fee at shop)
- Repair or replace damaged section of wiring harness where short is located — solder and heat-shrink all connections, don't use crimp connectors on critical circuits ($187-394 depending on accessibility)
- If door lock actuator is internally shorted, replace with a quality OEM or OEM-equivalent aftermarket unit ($80-500)
- Clean all ground points related to the power door lock/latch system — remove bolt, sand contact surface to bare metal, apply dielectric grease, and torque to spec ($59-132 at shop)
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 B1396 mean?
B1396 stands for "Power Door Lock Circuit Short To Battery". B1396 usually means power Door Lock Circuit Short To Battery.
Can you drive with B1396?
Safe to drive — this is an informational or minor issue. Schedule diagnosis at your convenience.
How much does it cost to fix B1396?
Repair costs for B1396 typically range from $100 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 ($32-110 at shop, free at auto parts store for basic scan); Visually inspect the power door lock/latch system wiring harness and connectors — look for chafed wires, melted insulation, green corrosion, loose pins, or rodent damage (often free to check yourself, $59 diagnostic fee at shop); Repair or replace damaged section of wiring harness where short is located — solder and heat-shrink all connections, don't use crimp connectors on critical circuits ($187-394 depending on accessibility).
Will B1396 clear itself?
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