What Does C1208 Mean?
The ABS module has detected that the rear inlet valve solenoid coil circuit is shorted to battery voltage. Unwanted B+ voltage on this circuit prevents proper ABS valve control. The ABS system is fully disabled and the ABS warning lamp is illuminated. Normal braking continues to function but without anti-lock assistance.
Common Causes
40%
Wiring harness damage where the rear inlet valve circuit contacts a B+ power wire due to chafed or melted insulation
25%
Internal short to voltage within the rear inlet valve solenoid coil in the ABS hydraulic modulator
20%
Cross-pin contamination or misaligned terminal in the modulator connector feeding voltage from an adjacent circuit
15%
ABS control module internal failure with voltage present on the rear inlet valve driver output
Diagnostic Steps
1
Disconnect both the ABS modulator and ABS module connectors. Using a DVOM on DC voltage, probe each rear inlet valve wire for battery voltage. Voltage present confirms a harness short to a power source.
2
With connectors disconnected, measure the rear inlet valve solenoid coil resistance (spec: 3-6 ohms). Also check insulation between each coil pin and adjacent pins and to ground.
3
Visually inspect the harness routing. Focus on areas near the fuse panel, battery cables, alternator output wire, and any aftermarket wiring that may have been spliced into the harness.
4
Isolate and repair the short using proper splice techniques and heat-shrink sealant. Re-route the harness away from power sources if needed.
5
Clear codes, perform a bidirectional test of the rear inlet valve if the scan tool supports it, and road test to confirm ABS function.
Estimated Repair Cost
$100 - $1,100
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ABS module has detected that the rear inlet valve solenoid coil circuit is shorted to battery voltage. Unwanted B+ voltage on this circuit prevents proper ABS valve control. The ABS system is fully disabled and the ABS warning lamp is illuminated. Normal braking continues to function but without...
The most common cause of C1208 (ABS Inlet Valve Coil Rear Circuit Short To Battery) is: Wiring harness damage where the rear inlet valve circuit contacts a B+ power wire due to chafed or melted insulation
Typical repair costs for C1208 range from $100 to $1,100, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Braking is functional but ABS is disabled. Short-to-battery conditions may cause localized wire heating. Rear wheels may lock during hard stops, reducing vehicle stability. Have the fault repaired without undue delay.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to C1208 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Chassis
System
ABS / Traction Control
Difficulty
Type
Manufacturer
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