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B1373

Moderate

Illuminated Entry Relay Short To Battery

What Does B1373 Mean?

This code indicates the Body Control Module (BCM) has detected that the illuminated entry relay circuit has a short to battery voltage. The illuminated entry system provides interior and exterior courtesy lighting when doors are unlocked or opened. The BCM detected continuous battery voltage on the relay control circuit when it should be at ground or floating, indicating an electrical short somewhere in the circuit.

Common Causes

40%

Damaged or chafed wiring harness causing short to power in the illuminated entry relay control circuit

Wiring harness
Wire loom
Relay control circuit wiring

30%

Failed illuminated entry relay with internal short to battery voltage

Illuminated entry relay
Relay

20%

Water intrusion or corrosion in relay socket or connector causing cross-circuit contamination

Relay socket
Connector
Fuse box

10%

Faulty Body Control Module with internal relay driver circuit failure

Body Control Module
BCM

Diagnostic Steps

1

Step 1: Perform visual inspection of the illuminated entry relay location, checking for signs of water intrusion, corrosion, burnt terminals, or damaged wiring. Remove the relay and inspect the socket terminals for damage or corrosion.

2

Step 2: With relay removed and ignition off, use a digital multimeter to measure voltage on the relay control circuit terminal at the socket. Reading should be 0V or near 0V; if battery voltage is present, there is a short to power in the wiring harness between the BCM and relay socket.

3

Step 3: Inspect the wiring harness along its entire length from BCM to relay socket, paying special attention to areas where harness passes through body panels, near sharp edges, or where it may contact hot components. Look for chafed insulation or pinched wires.

4

Step 4: If wiring checks good, test the suspected relay with an ohmmeter to check for internal shorts between terminals. Replace relay if internal resistance indicates a short between coil and switched terminals.

5

Step 5: If all external components test good, perform BCM relay driver circuit test per manufacturer specifications using a scan tool with bidirectional controls to activate the relay circuit while monitoring voltage and current draw.

6

Step 6: After repairs, clear codes, cycle the ignition and door locks multiple times to verify proper illuminated entry operation, then road test and verify code does not return.

Estimated Repair Cost

$100 - $450

Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location

Frequently Asked Questions

What does B1373 mean?

This code indicates the Body Control Module (BCM) has detected that the illuminated entry relay circuit has a short to battery voltage. The illuminated entry system provides interior and exterior courtesy lighting when doors are unlocked or opened. The BCM detected continuous battery voltage on the ...

What causes B1373?

The most common cause of B1373 (Illuminated Entry Relay Short To Battery) is: Damaged or chafed wiring harness causing short to power in the illuminated entry relay control circuit

How much does it cost to fix B1373?

Typical repair costs for B1373 range from $100 to $450, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.

Is it safe to drive with B1373?

This code does not affect vehicle safety or driveability and the vehicle is safe to operate. The only impact is potential inoperative courtesy lighting or excessive battery drain if relay remains energized continuously. Repair at convenience but do not delay excessively if battery drain is occurring.

How do I diagnose B1373?

Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to B1373 to identify the root cause.

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Quick Info

Category

Body

System

Body Control / Courtesy Lighting System

Difficulty

Moderate

Type

Manufacturer

Recommended Tools

OBD2 Scanner

A quality scan tool helps you read codes, view live data, and clear faults.