B260A – Left rear turn signal lamp circuit open (Kia)

Kia-specific code — factory diagnostic data

B260A means your Kia EV6 has lost the electrical path to the left rear turn signal lamp. You will usually notice a left turn signal that does not flash at the rear, flashes fast, or triggers a lamp warning. This is a Kia manufacturer-specific body code, and its exact setting logic can vary by platform. According to Kia factory diagnostic data, this code indicates an open circuit in the left rear turn signal lamp circuit. The ICU (Integrated Central Control Unit) sets it when it commands the left rear turn output and does not see the expected electrical load or circuit response.

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B260A Quick Answer

B260A on a Kia EV6 points to an open in the left rear turn signal lamp circuit. Start by confirming the left rear turn lamp actually fails, then verify power, ground, and connector integrity at the lamp before replacing anything.

What Does B260A Mean?

Official definition: “Left rear turn signal lamp circuit open.” In plain terms, the ICU tried to operate the left rear turn signal, but the circuit did not complete. In real use, the left rear turn lamp may stay off, flash erratically, or trigger a bulb-out message.

What the module checks and why it matters: The ICU does not “see” a broken wire directly. It monitors the output circuit’s electrical behavior when it switches the left rear turn signal on and off. An open circuit reduces or eliminates current flow, so the ICU flags the circuit as open. That matters because an “open” points you toward wiring, connectors, grounds, the lamp assembly interface, or the ICU output driver, not instantly to a lamp assembly.

Theory of Operation

On the EV6, the ICU controls exterior lighting functions, including turn signals. When you request a left turn, the ICU energizes a dedicated left rear turn output and expects a normal load on that circuit. The lamp assembly and its ground path complete the circuit so current can flow.

B260A sets when the ICU commands the left rear turn signal but measures a circuit response consistent with an open. A disconnected connector, backed-out terminal, broken conductor, or poor ground can interrupt current flow. Some EV6 lighting designs also route lamp power through intermediate connectors and body harness junctions, so a single open upstream can disable the lamp while other rear lights still work.

Symptoms

You can often confirm this code without tools by observing the left rear turn signal operation.

• Inoperative lamp left rear turn signal does not illuminate during left turn or hazard operation
• Fast flash turn signal indicator flashes faster than normal due to missing load feedback
• Cluster warning exterior lamp failure message or indicator on the instrument cluster, if equipped
• Hazard pattern hazards flash on other corners but the left rear remains off
• Intermittent operation left rear turn works after slamming the hatch or hitting bumps
• Moisture related failure appears after rain or a car wash due to connector water intrusion
• DTC behavior code returns quickly after clearing when the left turn signal gets commanded again

Common Causes

• Open in the left rear turn signal feed wire: A break in the output circuit prevents current flow, so the ICU sees an open-load condition.
• High resistance at the left rear lamp connector: Corrosion or loose terminals reduce current, which the ICU interprets as an open circuit.
• Damaged harness at the liftgate/hinge or rear body pass-through: Repeated flexing or pinching can split conductors and create an intermittent open.
• Incorrect or failed bulb/LED lamp assembly: A wrong bulb type or an internal lamp open changes the expected electrical load and triggers an open-circuit DTC.
• Poor ground at the left rear lamp ground point: A weak ground raises circuit resistance and can mimic an open when the lamp should draw current.
• Backed-out terminal or terminal spread at the ICU or junction connector: Low terminal tension prevents solid contact, especially under vibration.
• Water intrusion in the rear lamp housing or connector: Moisture promotes corrosion and wicking into wires, leading to opens and high resistance.
• Aftermarket trailer wiring or splices tied into the turn circuit: Poor splice quality or a failed add-on module can open the factory circuit or distort load feedback.

Diagnosis Steps

Use a scan tool that can read ICU body DTCs and data PIDs on the Kia EV6. You also need a DMM, a test light, and back-probe leads. Include a wiring diagram for the left rear turn circuit, if available. Plan to run voltage-drop tests with the lamp commanded on, not just continuity checks.

1. Confirm DTC B260A in the ICU and record freeze frame data. Focus on battery voltage, ignition state, and any turn signal command status captured when the fault set. Note whether the code shows as pending or confirmed/stored, since a hard open often returns immediately after clearing.
2. Perform fast visual checks before meter work. Inspect the left rear lamp lens area, lamp connector seating, obvious harness damage, and any trailer wiring taps. Verify the correct bulb type if the lamp uses a serviceable bulb, or confirm the lamp assembly matches the vehicle equipment.
3. Check related fuses and power distribution first. Verify the body/lighting fuses that feed the ICU and rear lamp circuits. Load-test the fuse output with the turn signal commanded on, because a hairline fuse crack can pass continuity but fail under load.
4. Verify ICU power and grounds with voltage-drop testing under load. Turn the ignition on, command the left turn signal on, and measure voltage drop from ICU ground pins to battery negative. Keep the circuit operating during the test, and target less than 0.1V drop. Repeat voltage-drop checks on ICU power feeds to confirm the module stays powered when the circuit loads.
5. Use the scan tool to command the left rear turn output, if bi-directional control is available. Watch any ICU data for “turn output request,” “turn output status,” or lamp-out detection PIDs. If the scan tool cannot command outputs, use the hazard switch and left turn switch as your command source.
6. Check the left rear turn signal output at the lamp connector. With the circuit commanded on, measure for a switching supply at the turn feed pin and compare it to the opposite rear turn lamp behavior. If you see no switching at the left connector but the right side works, stay focused on the left circuit path.
7. Load-test the feed circuit at the lamp connector. Connect a test light or a known-good load between the left rear turn feed and a known-good ground. If the load does not flash but you measure voltage with a DMM, you likely have high resistance in the feed or a weak ground.
8. Prove the ground circuit at the left rear lamp. Keep the turn command active and voltage-drop test from the lamp ground pin to battery negative. A good ground stays under 0.1V drop while the lamp or test load operates. If drop exceeds that, service the ground point and recheck before condemning the lamp assembly.
9. Inspect and test connectors and harness sections that commonly flex. Focus on rear body pass-throughs, liftgate hinge looms, and any intermediate junction connectors in the rear quarter. Perform a wiggle test while monitoring the lamp operation and the scan tool status. Use a scan tool snapshot during the wiggle test if the fault acts intermittent, since freeze frame only shows conditions when the DTC set.
10. Isolate the fault by testing at a closer upstream point. If the lamp connector lacks output, move upstream to the next connector toward the ICU and repeat the load test. This “divide and conquer” approach finds the exact open segment without guessing.
11. After repair, clear codes and run a functional verification. Command left turn and hazards, then verify normal flash rate and lamp intensity. Recheck for pending and confirmed ICU codes. A continuous-monitor circuit fault typically returns quickly on key-on if the open remains.

Professional tip: Do not rely on continuity readings alone for B260A. A strand of wire can pass an ohms test and still fail under load. Make the circuit work during testing. Command the left turn on and use voltage-drop and load testing to locate high resistance or an open with certainty.

Possible Fixes

• Repair an open or high-resistance section of the left rear turn feed wire: Restore conductor integrity, then confirm flashing under load.
• Clean, pin-fit, or replace the left rear lamp connector terminals: Correct corrosion, poor tension, or backed-out pins and retest with the lamp commanded on.
• Restore the left rear lamp ground connection: Service the ground point and verify low voltage drop with the circuit operating.
• Remove or rework faulty aftermarket trailer wiring/splices: Return the circuit to known-good factory wiring, then confirm normal load detection.
• Replace the bulb or lamp assembly only after circuit tests pass: If feed and ground test good under load, correct an internal lamp open or wrong lamp type.

Can I Still Drive With B260A?

You can usually drive a Kia EV6 with B260A, but you should treat it as a safety-related body fault. The ICU (Integrated Central Control Unit) sets this code when it sees an open in the left rear turn signal lamp circuit. That can leave you with no left rear turn signal indication to other drivers. Daytime driving in light traffic may feel normal, but lane changes and night driving become higher risk. Use hand signals if needed and avoid heavy traffic until you confirm operation. If the cluster turn indicator flashes fast, or you lose rear lighting on that side, stop and verify the lamp function before continuing.

How Serious Is This Code?

B260A ranges from an inconvenience to a real safety issue. It does not affect propulsion, charging, or steering control, so drivability usually stays normal. The risk comes from reduced signaling and visibility. A true circuit open can disable the left rear turn lamp, and it can also affect hazard operation on that corner depending on Kia’s platform logic. You should treat any exterior lighting fault as urgent because other drivers rely on those signals. If the fault appears with moisture intrusion, repeated fuse stress, or intermittent operation, diagnose it soon to prevent further wiring damage.

Common Misdiagnoses

Technicians often jump straight to a bulb or lamp assembly and miss the actual open. On the Kia EV6, the ICU monitors the circuit behavior, so an “open” can come from a poor terminal fit, a backed-out pin, or corrosion inside a connector even when the lamp looks fine. Another common mistake involves checking continuity with the connector unplugged and calling it good. That test misses voltage drop under load. Shops also misread fast-flash as a “bad flasher” issue, then replace modules without proving the output driver works. Avoid wasted spending by proving power delivery, ground integrity, and connector tension with the circuit loaded.

Most Likely Fix

The most common confirmed repair directions involve restoring the circuit path, not replacing a controller. First, locate and correct an open between the ICU output and the left rear turn lamp, or between the lamp and its ground point. That usually means repairing a damaged wire section, cleaning and tightening a corroded connector, or fixing a loose terminal at the lamp or body harness. If testing proves the lamp unit contains the open internally, replace the lamp assembly only after you verify the harness can carry current under load. After repair, operate the left turn and hazards and confirm the code stays cleared through multiple key cycles.

Repair Costs

Repair cost depends on whether the confirmed root cause is a sensor, wiring, connector issue, or control module problem. Verify the fault electrically before replacing parts.

Last updated: April 10, 2026