What does it mean?
B1980 is a Body (airbags, seat belts, body electronics) fault code. It indicates: Power Liftgate Latch Control 1 Circuit Low .
Symptoms
- Power latch function inoperative in at least one direction
- Gate has to be closed or opened manually
- Ajar warning stays on even when the gate is shut
- Repeated beeping when a gate command is given
- Fault becomes worse after rain, which is typical of water in the latch connector
Likely causes
- Control wire chafed to ground where the loom flexes between the body and the liftgate
- Water inside the latch connector shorting the control pin to the housing
- Shorted winding in the latch actuator motor drawing the output down
- Terminal pushed back and contacting the metal connector shield or a body panel
- Damage from a previous repair, a screw through the loom or a badly routed accessory harness
- Failed low side driver inside the liftgate control module
- Corroded ground point at the latch giving abnormal readings on the control line
How to fix it
- Command the latch output with the scan tool and watch the circuit state change, or fail to change
- Unplug the latch and recheck the code, if the output behaves normally the actuator or its connector is the fault
- With the module and the latch disconnected, measure the control wire to ground, a low resistance proves the short
- Measure the actuator winding resistance and compare it with the second latch circuit
- Inspect the boot harness for chafe, and the latch connector for water, corrosion and pushed back terminals
- Repair the wiring or fit a new latch assembly when the winding is shorted
- Replace the module only after the wiring and actuator are proved good, then clear the code and cycle the gate several times