OBD2 Car ScannerWhat does B1638 mean?
B1638 stands for Mirror Driver Right Short To Ground. 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 B1638 mean?
B1638 means “Mirror Driver Right Short To Ground”. 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 B1638?
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 B1638?
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
- B1634Mirror Driver Left Circuit Short To Ground
- B1635Mirror Driver Right Circuit Failure
- B1636Mirror Driver Right Circuit Open
- B1637Mirror Driver Right Circuit Short To Battery
- B1639Mirror Passenger Left Circuit Failure
- B1640Mirror Passenger Left Circuit Open
- B1641Mirror Passenger Left Circuit Short To Battery
- B1642Mirror Passenger Left Circuit Short To Ground
Code meanings can vary by manufacturer. This page is general guidance, not a repair manual. Always confirm the cause before replacing parts.