B260B – Right rear turn signal lamp circuit open (Kia)

Kia-specific code — factory diagnostic data

B260B means your Kia EV6 has lost the electrical path to the right rear turn signal lamp. You will usually notice a right turn signal that does not work, flashes fast, or a rear indicator that stays dark. According to Kia factory diagnostic data, this code indicates an open circuit in the right rear turn signal lamp circuit. That wording points to a wiring or connection problem first, not a failed module by default. Treat the DTC as a direction to test the circuit from the ICU to the lamp load. Confirm the open with simple checks before replacing any parts.

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B260B Quick Answer

B260B on a Kia EV6 means the ICU (Integrated Central Control Unit) detected an open circuit in the right rear turn signal lamp circuit. The most common outcomes are a dead right rear indicator or a fast-flashing right signal.

What Does B260B Mean?

Official definition: “Right rear turn signal lamp circuit open.” In plain terms, the vehicle commanded the right rear turn signal on, but the lamp circuit did not respond like a complete, connected circuit. In practice, the right rear indicator may not light, and the cluster may indicate a turn signal fault.

What the module checks and why it matters: The ICU does not “see” a broken wire directly. It monitors the output driver behavior and the electrical load it expects when the turn signal operates. An “open” sets when the ICU commands the right rear turn output and the circuit shows no usable current path, or the feedback does not match a connected lamp load. That matters because the root cause can sit anywhere in the path, including the lamp unit, connector pins, harness damage, ground integrity, or an output driver that never supplies power.

Theory of Operation

Under normal operation, the ICU controls exterior lighting functions on Kia platforms. When you select a right turn, the ICU drives the right rear turn output in a timed pattern. The lamp assembly and its ground complete the circuit, so the lamp flashes at the expected brightness.

With B260B, that normal current path breaks. The ICU commands the right rear turn output, but it detects a missing load or an invalid feedback response. An unplugged connector, a backed-out terminal, corrosion, or a broken conductor can all create the “open” condition even when the bulb or LED unit looks fine.

Symptoms

You can usually confirm this code from the driver’s seat before any tools come out.

• Inoperative lamp Right rear turn signal does not illuminate
• Fast flash Right turn indicator flashes rapidly on the cluster
• Warning message Exterior lamp or turn signal warning appears in the cluster
• Hyperflash behavior Audible click rate increases when signaling right
• Hazard anomaly Hazards flash, but the right rear corner stays dark
• Intermittent operation Right rear signal works sometimes, often after bumps or hatch movement
• Related lighting issues Other right rear lamp functions act abnormal if a shared connector or ground has trouble

Common Causes

• Open in the right rear turn signal feed wire: A break in the power side prevents current flow, so the ICU sees an open load.
• Open in the right rear turn signal ground path: A loose ground eyelet or corroded splice stops lamp current, which the ICU interprets as a circuit open.
• High resistance at the lamp connector: Spread terminals, moisture, or heat damage reduces current enough that the ICU flags an open circuit condition.
• Harness damage at the rear body flex points: Repeated hatch or rear body movement can fatigue wires and create an intermittent open near the tail lamp routing.
• Incorrect bulb or wrong lamp assembly fitment: The wrong load or wrong pinout can prevent proper circuit completion and trigger the open-circuit monitor.
• Internal fault in the right rear lamp unit: A failed internal trace, socket, or LED driver can open the load path even when external wiring looks intact.
• Fuse or power distribution fault feeding the lamp circuit: An open fuse link or poor fuse contact can remove supply to the turn circuit without obvious harness damage.
• ICU output driver protection event or internal failure: If the ICU detects an abnormal condition, it may shut down the output, and a failed driver can mimic an open circuit.

Diagnosis Steps

Use a scan tool that can access the ICU, command outputs, and view body-related data PIDs. Have a digital multimeter, a test light, and back-probing tools. Plan for voltage-drop testing under load, not continuity alone. A wiring diagram and connector views for the Kia EV6 help you identify the correct pins and splice points.

1. Confirm DTC B260B in the ICU and note whether it shows as pending or confirmed/stored. Record freeze frame data, especially battery voltage, ignition state, and any lamp-command status at the moment the code set. Freeze frame shows conditions when the DTC set. Use a scan tool snapshot later to capture an intermittent open during a wiggle test.
2. Inspect the full right rear turn signal circuit path before meter work. Check the right rear lamp lens area for impact, water intrusion, and aftermarket modifications. Verify the correct bulb type or correct lamp assembly for the Kia EV6. Look for pinched wiring near the rear lamp pocket and along the hatch or rear body harness routing.
3. Check fuses and power distribution that feed the rear lighting circuits. Do not jump straight to the ICU connector. Verify fuse element integrity and also verify tight fuse fitment in the fuse block. If the circuit uses a relay or junction connector, confirm it locks fully and shows no heat damage.
4. Verify ICU power and ground integrity with voltage-drop testing under load. Turn the circuit on with a scan tool output test or activate the turn signal. Measure voltage drop from ICU ground pins to battery negative while the circuit operates. Keep ground drop under 0.1V with the circuit loaded. Also check voltage drop on the ICU power feed to confirm the module does not lose supply under load.
5. Run an ICU output control test for the right rear turn signal, if the scan tool supports it. Watch for a quick re-set of B260B on key-on or during the command. A hard open monitored by the comprehensive component monitor often returns immediately. Compare the commanded state to any available “lamp feedback” or “output status” PID.
6. At the right rear lamp connector, test for proper power delivery while commanding the turn signal on. Use a test light as a load first, then confirm with a meter. If power does not arrive, move upstream toward the harness junctions until power reappears. This step isolates an open between the ICU and the lamp.
7. Test the ground side at the lamp connector with a loaded voltage-drop test. Keep the lamp commanded on. Measure from the lamp ground terminal to battery negative and look for a low drop. If voltage drop rises under load, clean and tighten the ground point or repair the ground splice. Do not rely on an ohms check alone.
8. If power and ground both test good at the lamp connector, verify the lamp unit itself provides a complete load path. Substitute a known-good lamp or use a suitable test load in place of the lamp to see if the ICU stops setting B260B. If the test load works, the lamp assembly or its internal driver likely opens the circuit.
9. If the fault acts intermittent, perform a controlled wiggle test with the circuit commanded on. Flex the harness at known stress points near the tail lamp, grommets, and rear body flex areas. Trigger a scan tool snapshot during the test to capture the exact moment the output drops. Focus repairs on the section that reproduces the failure.
10. After repairs, clear DTCs and repeat the output command test. Confirm the right rear turn signal operates normally and B260B does not return. Complete a short drive with multiple right turn signal activations. Recheck for pending versus confirmed codes to verify the monitor stays clean.

Professional tip: If you see normal voltage at the lamp connector but the lamp stays dark, do not assume the lamp has failed. Load the circuit with a test light or an external load first. An open or high-resistance connection can show full voltage with no current flow. The ICU sets “circuit open” based on current or feedback behavior, not on voltage alone.

Possible Fixes

• Repair an open or high-resistance section of the right rear turn signal wiring between the ICU and the rear lamp.
• Clean, tighten, and protect the right rear lamp ground point or repair a corroded ground splice.
• Repair or replace damaged terminals, seals, or connector housings at the rear lamp connector and any in-line junction connectors.
• Correct incorrect bulb type or incorrect lamp assembly fitment that prevents proper circuit completion.
• Replace the right rear lamp unit only after power, ground, and connector integrity tests prove the lamp has an internal open.
• Repair fuse block or power distribution faults that remove supply to the rear turn circuit.
• Replace or reprogram the ICU only after verifying all external circuits and loads, and confirming an output driver fault with circuit tests.

Can I Still Drive With B260B?

You can usually drive a Kia EV6 with B260B, but you should treat it as a safety-related lighting fault. The ICU (Integrated Central Control Unit) logged an open circuit in the right rear turn signal lamp circuit. That often means the lamp does not illuminate, or it works intermittently. Other drivers may not see your right turns or lane changes. Avoid night driving and heavy traffic until you confirm operation. If the rear turn signal does not work, use hand signals where legal and plan routes with fewer lane changes. Do not ignore related warning messages or rapid turn-signal flash behavior, since those clues help pinpoint the fault.

How Serious Is This Code?

B260B ranges from an inconvenience to a real safety issue. It does not usually affect propulsion or braking, so drivability stays normal. The risk comes from reduced signaling visibility at the right rear corner. That increases rear-end and lane-change collision risk, especially in rain, fog, or darkness. If the lamp works sometimes, vibration or moisture often triggers the open and makes the failure unpredictable. Treat intermittent operation as more serious than a steady failure. If you tow or carry rear-mounted accessories, take this code seriously. Anything that changes rear harness routing can worsen an open circuit on Kia lighting circuits.

Common Misdiagnoses

Technicians often replace the right rear lamp assembly too early. An “open circuit” message points to lost continuity, not a confirmed failed lamp. Another common miss involves checking the bulb or LED module without load testing the circuit. A corroded connector can pass a meter’s light continuity test, then open under load. Shops also chase the wrong corner after seeing fast-flash or a cluster message, but B260B specifically targets the right rear turn signal circuit the ICU monitors. DIY owners frequently skip harness inspection at hinge points and body seams, where Kia rear harnesses can chafe. Confirm power, ground integrity, and connector pin fit before ordering parts.

Most Likely Fix

The most common confirmed repair direction involves restoring continuity at the right rear lamp connector or repairing an open in the rear body harness. Start by verifying the right rear turn signal output from the ICU reaches the lamp connector during an active turn command. If the signal leaves the ICU but does not arrive at the lamp, repair the harness or connector issue. If the signal arrives but the lamp does not operate, verify the lamp ground under load and inspect the lamp-side terminals. Replace the lamp assembly only after the circuit proves good and the lamp fails a direct functional test. After repair, operate the turn signal repeatedly and road test over bumps to confirm the open does not return.

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