B0260 code meaning
Interior Light Circuit
What B0260 means
No publicly available J2012 list contains B0260 with this meaning, and the same title belongs to B0970. Saab uses the number in the climate control of the 2003 9-3: B0260 06 stands for the left vent door motor circuit open or grounded, B0261 01 for a short to B+. By its title, the code means the courtesy lamp supply. Door ajar switches ground an input when a door opens; in Ford's patent US6133827A a module then lights the dome and footwell lamps, keeps them on for 25 s after the last door shuts and cuts them through a battery saver relay after 40 minutes. Ram's owner's manual describes a 10-minute cut-off for a door left ajar. A circuit fault means lamps that stay dark, never switch off, or drain the battery overnight.
B0260 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyEasy, DIY possible
- Typical labor0.2 to 1.5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of B0260
- Interior lamps do not come on when a door opens
- Interior lamps stay lit or the battery is flat after the car stood overnight
Common causes of B0260
- Most likelyDoor contact switch or lock contact sticking, so the module sees a door open
- PossibleLamp feed shorted in the roof liner or a lamp unit with water damage
- Less likelyBattery saver relay or output stage in the body module faulty
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Interior lampDoor jamb switchBody wiring harness
What each part of B0260 means
| B | Body system: airbags, seat belts, power seats, lights and climate control. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 60 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note B0260 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about B0260
What does B0260 mean?
B0260 means "Interior Light Circuit". No publicly available J2012 list contains B0260 with this meaning, and the same title belongs to B0970. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with B0260?
B0260 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will B0260 fail an emissions test?
B0260 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is B0260 to fix?
Difficulty: easy. A typical repair takes 0.2 to 1.5 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.
Will B0260 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.