Code Definition

B1216 — Emergency & Road Side Assistance Switch Circuit Short to Ground

System: Body  |  Type: Manufacturer-Specific  |  Make: Generic

About B1216

B1216 is a manufacturer-specific body diagnostic trouble code. It belongs to the B-prefix family of codes, which covers body, interior, airbag, or comfort-electronics faults.

When B1216 is stored, the module has detected a short-circuit (voltage pulled to ground or to supply) in the monitored circuit.

Scanning & clearing: Body (B) codes are often stored in the body control module, airbag module, or climate module. A basic OBD-II tool usually will not read body codes — an enhanced or OEM-level scan tool is typically required.

B1216 is a manufacturer-specific code. The same code string on a different make may have a different meaning. Always confirm the code's definition against the vehicle's service information for the specific make and model under test.

Code Information

The telematics or body control module monitors the Emergency and Road Side Assistance switch, commonly known as the SOS button, for driver initiated emergency call activation. DTC B1216 is set when the controlling module detects that the SOS switch input is continuously pulled to ground while the switch is in its rest position, which is the state the module expects to see only momentarily while the button is actively pressed. The switch normally idles at a positive reference voltage through an internal pull up and drops to ground briefly when pressed to initiate an emergency call, so a sustain...

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