OBD2 Car ScannerWhat does B1796 mean?
B1796 stands for Lamp Headlamp Low-Beam Circuit Short To Battery. A body control module has found a fault in a comfort or safety system such as airbags, lights, doors, seats or climate control.
Body codes cover the airbags, seats, lights, doors and comfort systems. When the car's computer sees a reading outside its normal range, it stores this code and may turn on a warning light on the dashboard.
Common causes
- Damaged wiring or a loose connector (often under seats)
- Faulty switch, sensor or motor
- Low battery voltage
- Faulty body control module
What to do
- Read all stored and pending codes with a scanner. Several codes together often point to one cause.
- Note the freeze frame data (speed, temperature, load) recorded when the code was set.
- Inspect the wiring and connectors of the part named in the code for damage, corrosion or looseness.
- Fix the most likely and cheapest cause first, then clear the code and drive to see if it comes back.
Read this code from your own car
Plug in a cheap ELM327 adapter and the app shows every fault code, what it means and how to fix it.
Frequently asked questions
What does B1796 mean?
B1796 means “Lamp Headlamp Low-Beam Circuit Short To Battery”. It belongs to the body system group: A body control module has found a fault in a comfort or safety system such as airbags, lights, doors, seats or climate control.
Is it safe to drive with B1796?
You can usually drive carefully for a short time, but fix it soon to avoid further damage or higher fuel use.
How do I clear B1796?
Fix the cause, then clear the code with an OBD2 scanner or app. If the fault is still there, the code will come back.
Related codes
- B1792Autolamp Sensor Input Circuit Short To Battery
- B1793Autolamp Sensor Input Circuit Short To Ground
- B1794Lamp Headlamp Low-Beam Circuit Failure
- B1795Lamp Headlamp Low-Beam Circuit Open
- B1797Lamp Headlamp Low-Beam Circuit Short To Ground
- B1798Lamp Turn Signal Front Output Circuit Failure
- B1799Lamp Turn Signal Front Output Circuit Open
- B1800Lamp Turn Signal Front Output Circuit Short To Battery
Code meanings can vary by manufacturer. This page is general guidance, not a repair manual. Always confirm the cause before replacing parts.