B3713 – Rear Washer Motor Input Circuit High (BCM)

System: Body | Standard: ISO/SAE Controlled | Fault type: Circuit High

Definition source: SAE J2012 naming/structure guidance (verify exact wording against your official DTC dataset)

B3713 means the vehicle’s body control module (BCM) is seeing a “high” signal on the rear washer motor input circuit. In plain English, the car thinks the rear washer request or feedback is stuck too high, so the rear washer may not work correctly, may act erratically, or may be disabled to protect the circuit. Technically, this is a Body (ISO/SAE controlled) diagnostic code that sets when the BCM measures the rear washer motor input circuit higher than the expected range for the current operating state. The code points to an electrical signal problem, not a confirmed bad motor.

B3713 indicates the BCM detected a Rear Washer Motor Input Circuit High. Check the rear washer switch/input wiring and connectors first, then verify power/ground integrity and signal behavior at the BCM and rear washer circuit before replacing any parts.

What Does B3713 Mean?

The meaning of B3713 is that the BCM is receiving an abnormally high electrical signal on the circuit it uses to monitor the rear washer motor input. For an owner, this usually translates to the rear washer system not responding normally when commanded, working only sometimes, or being shut down. In technical terms, “circuit high” means the measured voltage/signal level on that input circuit is higher than expected under the current conditions (for example, when the washer is not being requested or when the module expects a different state). The exact circuit design can vary by make/model/year, so confirm the circuit function using the factory wiring diagram and BCM input data where available.

Theory of Operation

Under normal operation, the rear washer function is requested by a driver control (often a stalk switch or a rear wiper/washer switch). The BCM interprets that request and, depending on vehicle design, may directly drive the rear washer pump/motor through an internal driver or a relay, or it may command another module to do so. The BCM also monitors an input circuit related to the rear washer motor request/feedback so it can verify the command state and detect electrical faults.

For a healthy system, the rear washer motor input circuit should transition between defined states as the switch is operated and as the circuit is loaded. When B3713 sets, the BCM is seeing that input remain higher than expected (or jump higher than expected), which commonly points to a short to voltage, incorrect backfeed, high resistance causing an unexpected bias, connector contamination bridging terminals, or an internal module/switch fault. Because architectures differ, always test the circuit at the connector and confirm the BCM is interpreting the input correctly rather than assuming the pump/motor itself has failed.

Symptoms

You will usually notice rear washer operation problems first, sometimes with no obvious warning beyond the stored B3713 code.

• Rear washer inoperative: pressing the rear washer control does nothing or works only occasionally
• Rear washer runs unexpectedly: the rear washer may activate at the wrong time or behave erratically
• Rear wiper/washer logic issues: rear wiper behavior may not match the washer command (vehicle-dependent)
• Warning message or body fault light: a body/system message may appear on the cluster in some vehicles
• Intermittent function: rear washer works after cycling ignition, then fails again as the fault returns
• Wet tailgate area without command: unintended washer activation can leave fluid residue around the rear glass or tailgate
• No pump sound: when commanded, you may not hear the rear washer pump/motor run (even if fluid level is okay)

Common Causes

• Cause: Rear washer motor input signal circuit shorted to voltage (B+), pulling the BCM input higher than expected
• Cause: Corroded, loose, or water-intruded connector at the rear washer motor, rear hatch/tailgate harness, or BCM connector increasing resistance and distorting the input signal
• Cause: Wiring damage in the liftgate/hatch flex boot (chafed insulation, broken strands) causing unintended contact with a power feed
• Cause: Rear washer motor assembly internal electrical fault affecting the input feedback/monitor circuit (if equipped on the vehicle design)
• Cause: Rear washer switch or stalk switch circuit fault sending a stuck/high request signal (architecture varies by make/model)
• Cause: Poor BCM ground or shared ground splice issue causing the BCM to interpret the input as “high”
• Cause: Aftermarket wiring (remote start, alarm, trailer wiring, liftgate add-ons) backfeeding voltage into the rear washer input circuit
• Cause: Body Control Module (BCM) internal input stage fault or software issue (rare, consider only after circuit testing is conclusive)

Diagnosis Steps

Use a scan tool capable of reading BCM body codes and live data, a digital multimeter, and the correct wiring diagram for your exact year/make/model. Because “circuit high” is a measured condition, confirm the problem with voltage and continuity checks at the connector(s), not by guessing parts. Backprobe carefully and avoid piercing insulation unless approved.

1. Verify DTC B3713 is present in the BCM and record freeze-frame/body data (vehicle state, switch command, any related washer/wiper codes).
2. Clear codes and operate the rear washer function (command via switch and, if supported, via scan tool output control) to confirm B3713 resets and whether it is immediate or only during operation.
3. Check for obvious mechanical/electrical context: rear washer inoperative, runs continuously, intermittent operation, or only fails with hatch movement; note any recent rear hatch repairs or water leaks.
4. Perform a visual inspection of the rear washer motor/pump area and harness routing. Pay special attention to the liftgate/hatch rubber boot and any points where the harness bends or rubs.
5. Inspect connectors for corrosion, moisture, spread terminals, or poor pin fit at the rear washer motor/pump (or rear washer-related connector) and at the BCM connector(s) involved in the input circuit.
6. With the circuit connected, use the scan tool to monitor the BCM’s rear washer input PID (naming varies). Compare the input status while the switch is OFF vs commanded ON; look for a stuck “ON/high” indication.
7. Backprobe the BCM input circuit with a multimeter and check whether the signal remains higher than expected when the rear washer is not requested. If it stays high, isolate the circuit by disconnecting the rear washer motor/pump and rechecking.
8. If disconnecting the rear washer motor changes the reading, suspect the motor/pump assembly or connector contamination/backfeed; if it does not change, suspect harness damage or a short to voltage upstream.
9. Perform continuity and short-to-voltage testing with connectors unplugged (BCM side and load side). Check for continuity between the input circuit and known power feeds, and verify the circuit is not shorted to adjacent wires in the flex boot.
10. Verify BCM power and ground integrity under load (voltage drop testing at BCM grounds and main feeds). A weak ground can skew how an input is interpreted.
11. Check for aftermarket accessories tied into rear body harness circuits that could backfeed voltage; temporarily disconnect add-on modules if needed and retest.
12. After repairs, clear DTCs and perform multiple rear washer actuations while moving the hatch through its range to confirm B3713 does not return and the input PID behaves normally.

Professional tip: If B3713 appears only when the liftgate is opened/closed, focus on the harness flex boot first—many “circuit high” body faults are caused by chafed wires briefly contacting a power feed during movement.

Possible Fixes

• Repair chafed, pinched, or shorted wiring in the rear washer motor input circuit (especially in the liftgate/hatch flex area)
• Clean, dry, and reseat rear washer-related connectors; repair terminal tension issues or replace damaged terminals as needed
• Remove unintended backfeed sources from aftermarket wiring; restore OEM routing and proper splices/insulation
• Repair shared ground points/splices affecting the BCM input interpretation; perform voltage-drop verification after repair
• Replace the rear washer motor/pump assembly only if testing shows it is contributing to a stuck/high input condition
• Reflash, repair, or replace the BCM only after confirming correct powers/grounds and eliminating wiring/connector faults

Can I Still Drive With B3713?

In most cases, yes—B3713 is a Body DTC and typically does not affect engine performance or basic drivability. What you may lose is reliable rear washer operation, which can reduce rear visibility in rain, snow, or on dirty roads. If the rear window is frequently obscured and you depend on the rear washer to maintain visibility, treat B3713 as a safety-related visibility issue and repair it soon. If your vehicle uses the rear washer as part of a camera cleaning feature, expect that function to be unreliable as well.

How Serious Is This Code?

B3713 is usually a low-to-moderate severity fault: it commonly becomes an inconvenience (rear washer inoperative or stuck behavior) rather than a drivability concern. It becomes more serious when rear visibility matters—heavy weather, nighttime glare, dusty roads, or towing—because you may be unable to clear the rear glass or camera lens quickly. Ignoring the code can also lead to repeated BCM fault logging and ongoing electrical stress if the circuit is being driven or read in an abnormal “high” state, so it’s best to diagnose it before it turns into an intermittent electrical problem.

Repair Costs

Last updated: March 22, 2026