Code Definition

B1261 — Solar Radiation Sensor Circuit Short To Ground

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

About B1261

B1261 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 B1261 is stored, the module has detected a short-circuit (voltage pulled to ground or to supply) in the monitored circuit; and a sensor-related fault — the reported value from the named sensor is out of spec.

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.

B1261 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 climate control module monitors the solar radiation (sunload) sensor signal as part of the automatic HVAC strategy, using cabin sunlight intensity to bias blower speed, mode door position, and target discharge temperature on the side of the cabin facing the sun. DTC B1261 sets when the module detects the sunload sensor signal pulled to ground, sitting at or near 0V, which is below the valid operating range expected from the sensor under normal lighting conditions. The sunload sensor is a photodiode in the upper dash near the windscreen, fed a low reference voltage from the climate module, ...

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