B162C – Left low beam control circuit high (Dodge)

Dodge-specific code — factory diagnostic data

Last updated: April 10, 2026

Definition source: Dodge factory description · Autel MaxiSys Ultra & EV. Diagnostic guidance is based on factory-defined fault logic for this code.

B162C means your Dodge Charger has a fault in the left low beam control circuit, and the headlamp may not work right. You may lose the left low beam, or it may behave unpredictably, which reduces night visibility. According to Dodge factory diagnostic data, this code indicates Left low beam control circuit high. “Circuit high” points to an electrical condition where the control side reads higher than expected. That does not prove a bad bulb. It tells you the module sees a control circuit stuck high, or it cannot pull the circuit low when commanded.

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B162C Quick Answer

B162C on a Dodge Charger points to the left low beam control circuit reading high when the lighting system expects a different state. Start by verifying left low beam operation, then test the control wire and connectors for a short to power or an open.

What Does B162C Mean?

Official definition: “Left low beam control circuit high.” In plain terms, the body lighting controller sees the left low beam control circuit stuck “on,” or reading higher than it. In practice, the left low beam may not turn on, may stay on, or may flicker depending on the failure.

What the module checks: the controller commands the left low beam on and off and monitors the control circuit’s voltage state. It expects the circuit to change in a predictable way. Why that matters: a “circuit high” code usually points to wiring, connector, or driver-control issues first. It can also point to the load side causing feedback. Prove the electrical fault with testing before replacing lamps or modules.

Theory of Operation

On Dodge vehicles, the body lighting system uses a control output to switch the left low beam. Depending on platform design, the controller may switch power to the lamp or switch the ground path. It also monitors the circuit so it can detect opens, shorts, and incorrect current flow.

B162C sets when the controller reads the left low beam control circuit higher than expected for the commanded state. A short to battery voltage can hold the circuit high. An open circuit can also read high if the circuit floats and the module’s internal pull-up dominates. A failed output driver can create the same symptom, but you must confirm wiring integrity first.

Symptoms

Drivers usually notice a headlamp problem first, then the code appears during a scan.

• Left low beam out while the right low beam works normally
• Left low beam stuck on even when the headlamp switch commands off
• Flicker on the left low beam, especially over bumps
• DIM or message for exterior lighting, depending on cluster configuration
• Intermittent operation that changes with moisture or temperature
• High beam OK but low beam fails on the left side only
• Blown fuse history if a short intermittently loads the circuit

Common Causes

• Short to battery voltage on the control wire: Chafed insulation or a pinched harness can feed battery voltage into the left low beam control circuit and make the module read “circuit high.”
• High resistance or open on the lamp ground path: A weak ground can force current to backfeed through other lighting circuits and elevate the control-side voltage.
• Corroded or spread terminals at the headlamp connector: Poor terminal tension or corrosion reduces load on the circuit and allows the control line voltage to stay higher than expected.
• Faulty left low beam bulb or LED driver creating an abnormal load: An internal bulb or driver failure can change current flow and cause the control circuit to sit high during commanded ON.
• Incorrect bulb type or aftermarket lighting harness: Added resistors, relay harnesses, or wrong bulb designs can alter the circuit’s electrical signature and trigger a high-circuit diagnosis.
• Connector damage at the Dodge lighting control module location: Bent pins, water entry, or partial disconnects can interrupt the module’s ability to pull the control circuit low.
• Harness rub-through near the radiator support or fender area: Movement and vibration at common routing points can wear insulation and contact a powered feed.
• Internal fault in the body lighting driver stage: A failed output transistor or driver inside the body controller can hold the circuit high even with correct inputs.

Diagnosis Steps

Use a scan tool that reads Dodge body DTCs and live data, plus a DVOM and a test light. Have basic back-probing tools and terminal inspection picks. A fused jumper wire helps for controlled load testing. Use a wiring diagram for the Charger lighting circuit so you test the correct control wire and grounds.

1. Confirm B162C in the body system scan and record freeze frame or failure records. Focus on battery voltage, ignition state, headlamp switch status, and any related lighting DTCs. Note whether the code shows as pending or stored. A hard circuit fault often returns right after key-on.
2. Check fuses and power distribution for the left headlamp and body lighting supply before probing any module pins. Inspect the fuse blades and the fuse box for heat damage. Also perform a fast visual inspection of the left headlamp harness routing. Look for rub-through, prior repairs, or added relay harnesses.
3. Verify the body controller power and ground integrity under load. Turn on multiple electrical loads and measure voltage drop on the controller grounds while the lighting circuit operates. Keep ground drop below 0.1 V during operation. If you find higher drop, fix power or ground issues first.
4. Inspect the left headlamp connector and related inline connectors. Look for corrosion, moisture, overheated plastic, and spread terminals. Perform a light tug test on each wire at the connector body. Repair terminal tension or replace damaged terminals as needed.
5. Use the scan tool to command the left low beam ON and OFF, if bi-directional control supports it. Watch the left low beam request and output status PIDs, if available. If the module commands OFF but the lamp stays on, suspect a short to power or a stuck driver. If the module commands ON but reports a fault, continue with circuit measurements.
6. Measure voltage at the left low beam control circuit at the lamp connector with the circuit commanded OFF. A true “circuit high” usually shows an unexpected high voltage on that control line. If voltage stays high with the connector unplugged, the harness likely shorts to power. If voltage drops only when unplugged, the bulb, driver, or connector may backfeed.
7. Check for a short to battery on the control wire with the lamp disconnected. Key on, lights off, then isolate the circuit by disconnecting intermediate connectors as the diagram shows. When voltage disappears, the last section you unplugged contains the short. Repair the rubbed or pinched section and secure the harness.
8. Load-test the ground and power paths at the headlamp connector. Use a test light or a known load while measuring voltage drop on the ground leg and the feed leg. Do not rely on continuity alone. High resistance can pass a continuity test and still fail under load.
9. If wiring checks pass, evaluate the bulb or LED driver behavior. Swap the left and right low beam bulbs only if the design allows a safe swap and both sides match. If the fault follows the component, you found the cause. If it stays on the left, keep the focus on wiring and the body controller output stage.
10. Differentiate freeze frame from a scan tool snapshot for intermittent faults. Freeze frame shows the exact conditions when B162C set. Use a snapshot during a wiggle test or road test to capture voltage changes on the control line. This helps you catch a momentary short to power or connector dropout.
11. After repairs, clear DTCs and run the left low beam through several ON/OFF cycles. Confirm normal lamp operation and recheck for pending and stored codes. If the code returns immediately with confirmed good wiring, follow Dodge service information for body controller output testing and replacement rules.

Professional tip: When you suspect a “circuit high,” unplug the left headlamp first and retest. That single step splits the problem into two halves fast. If the control line stays high with the lamp unplugged, you have a harness short or driver fault. If it normalizes unplugged, the lamp assembly, connector, or ground path usually causes backfeed.

Possible Fixes

• Repair chafed wiring or short-to-power points: Restore insulation, solder and seal repairs correctly, and resecure the harness away from sharp edges.
• Clean and restore terminal integrity at connectors: Remove corrosion, repair water intrusion sources, and replace spread or overheated terminals.
• Restore ground quality for the left headlamp circuit: Service the ground attachment, remove paint or rust, and confirm low voltage drop under load.
• Replace the failed left low beam bulb or LED driver only after testing: Confirm abnormal load or backfeed first, then replace the verified bad component.
• Remove or correct aftermarket lighting modifications: Eliminate add-on resistors or relay harnesses that alter circuit behavior, then retest for code return.
• Service the body controller output stage when proven faulty: Replace or repair the module only after you verify correct powers, grounds, and an uncompromised control wire.

Can I Still Drive With B162C?

You can usually drive a Dodge Charger with B162C, but you should treat it as a visibility and legal-compliance problem. This code means the left low beam control circuit reads “high,” so the lighting module sees an abnormally high signal on that control path. The left low beam may stay off, stay on, or act erratically. Night driving becomes unsafe fast, especially in rain or on unlit roads. Avoid driving after dark until you confirm both low beams work correctly. If the left headlamp behaves unpredictably, shut the lights off and back on once. Then stop and diagnose, since repeated cycling can stress wiring or a driver circuit.

How Serious Is This Code?

B162C ranges from an inconvenience to a serious safety issue. In daylight, you may only notice a warning message or no symptom at all. At night, a left low beam outage cuts forward lighting and reduces other drivers’ ability to judge your position. A “circuit high” electrical fault can also indicate a short to voltage in the harness. That can overheat a connector or damage a solid-state driver inside the Dodge body control lighting circuit. Drivability usually stays normal, but safety does not. Treat it as urgent if the left low beam fails, flickers, or stays on with the switch off. Fix it before long night trips.

Common Misdiagnoses

Technicians often replace the left bulb or the entire headlamp first, then chase the same code again. B162C does not prove a bulb failed. It points to the control circuit reading high, which often comes from wiring contact with a power feed, a wrong bulb type, or a connector pin fit issue. Another common miss involves skipping load testing. A quick voltage check can look fine with the connector unplugged. The circuit may still fault under load due to corrosion or a spread terminal. Some also condemn the body control module too early. Verify power, ground integrity, and control-side shorts before any module decision.

Most Likely Fix

The most frequent repair direction for B162C on a Dodge Charger involves correcting the left low beam control circuit integrity, not immediately replacing parts. Start with the left headlamp connector and nearby harness routing. Look for chafed insulation or an aftermarket tap that shorts the control wire to a voltage source. Next, repair poor pin tension or corrosion that creates an abnormal control signal. If the wiring checks pass, confirm the module output behaves correctly with a known-good load. Only after those tests should you consider a failed headlamp driver inside the Dodge lighting control module strategy.

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.