B1316 — Battery Saver Relay Coil Circuit Short To Ground

B1316 is a body electrical trouble code triggered when the control unit detects the battery saver relay coil circuit shorted to ground. The fault can cause hard starting, misfires, reduced power, and increased fuel consumption. Most cases are safe to drive short distances to a repair shop, but flashing CEL indicates you should stop immediately—ongoing misfires can destroy the catalytic converter.

body electrical

Is it safe to drive?

Drive with caution Drive with caution and avoid load. Ignition faults cause misfires that quickly overheat and destroy the catalytic converter; if the Check Engine Light flashes, stop and fix it first.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

  1. Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm B1316 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
  2. Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many B0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
  3. Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the ignition system for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
  4. Subsystem check Swap the coil to another cylinder and see if the fault code follows it.
  5. Subsystem check Inspect spark plugs for wear, oil or carbon tracks and check plug gaps.
  6. Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm B1316 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for B1316 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Replace spark plugs: $90–$250; Repair coil wiring or connector: $80–$250; Replace an ignition coil: $150–$380. Overall, fixing B1316 usually costs between $80 and $380. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

What does OBD2 code B1316 mean?

B1316 stands for Battery Saver Relay Coil Circuit Short To Ground, a body electrical fault where the relay coil control circuit accidentally shorts to chassis metal, causing the module to flag a problem with ignition or battery management systems.

Is it safe to drive with B1316?

A solid Check Engine Light allows short, gentle driving to a repair shop, but a flashing CEL means stop immediately—running misfires can overheat and ruin the catalytic converter.

How much does it cost to fix B1316?

Most repairs run $80–$380 total, depending on whether you need spark plugs ($90–$250), wiring or connector repairs ($80–$250), or a full ignition coil replacement ($150–$380).

What causes B1316 most often?

The usual culprits are a failed ignition coil, damaged coil wiring or connectors, and moisture or oil in the spark plug wells that create shorts.

Will B1316 clear itself?

Sometimes an intermittent issue—like a loose connector or one tank of bad fuel—lets the code clear after a few drive cycles, but the underlying fault remains, so it typically comes back and should be diagnosed properly.

B1316: Battery Saver Relay Coil Circuit Short To Ground

What B1316 Means and Why It Triggers

When your scan tool displays B1316, the powertrain or body control module has identified a problem with the battery saver relay coil circuit—it is shorted to ground somewhere in the wiring or component. This falls under the B-series (body) codes, specifically affecting vehicle electrical systems that support ignition and battery management.

The module watches this circuit in real time. Every drive cycle it compares the signal from the relay coil against factory specifications. If the reading stays outside the acceptable range for too long, the module logs B1316, saves a freeze frame snapshot of engine conditions (RPM, load, temperature, vehicle speed), and lights the Check Engine Light. That freeze frame data is your best starting point—it tells you exactly what was happening when the fault occurred.

How the System Works

Modern vehicles use a battery saver relay to manage power distribution when the ignition is off. The relay coil receives battery voltage through a control circuit. If that circuit develops a short to ground—meaning the positive feed is accidentally connected to chassis metal—the coil receives incorrect voltage, the module detects the anomaly, and B1316 sets. In some cases the short causes the coil to stay energized constantly, draining the battery; in others the circuit fails entirely and the module sees an open instead of normal operation.

Symptoms of B1316

  • Hard starting, particularly in wet or humid conditions
  • Noticeable increase in fuel consumption
  • Engine misfires whether idling or under acceleration
  • Check Engine Light illuminated or flashing
  • Loss of power and hesitation during acceleration
  • Intermittent stuttering or jerking under load

Most Common Causes

  • Failed ignition coil or coil pack
  • Damaged coil wiring or loose connector at the coil
  • Moisture or oil contamination inside spark plug wells
  • Worn or incorrectly gapped spark plugs
  • Short circuit in the ECM/PCM ignition control circuitry
  • Corroded or chafed wiring in the affected circuit

How to Diagnose B1316

  1. Connect an OBD2 scanner and verify B1316 is stored. Save the freeze frame data before clearing anything—it records the exact conditions at the moment of failure.

  2. Check for related trouble codes. Codes pointing to specific cylinders, fuel system issues, or other ignition faults often reveal the real culprit. Also search for TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for your make and model—manufacturers publish known fixes for recurring B1316 issues.

  3. Inspect the wiring and connectors feeding the ignition coil and battery saver relay circuit. Look for frayed wires, melted insulation, corrosion at the connectors, or any sign the harness is rubbing against metal.

  4. Perform a coil swap test. Move the suspected coil to a different cylinder and clear the code. If B1316 moves with the coil, that component is faulty.

  5. Examine the spark plugs and wells. Pull the plugs and check for oil fouling, carbon buildup, or moisture. Inspect gaps against factory specs. Cracked ceramic or wet deposits point to deeper problems.

  6. Replicate the freeze frame conditions during your road test. If the code returns under the same RPM, load, and temperature, you have confirmed the fault and can proceed with repair.

Repair Options and Costs

  • Replace spark plugs: $90–$250 (parts and labor)
  • Repair coil wiring or connector: $80–$250
  • Replace an ignition coil: $150–$380

Start with the least expensive fixes. Plugs and connectors fail far more often than the coil itself. Skipping straight to a new coil wastes money if the real issue is a corroded terminal or a short in the harness.

Total repair cost for B1316 typically falls between $80 and $380, depending on which part is actually at fault. Labor rates vary by region, and some vehicles require more disassembly to reach the coil. Getting a precise diagnosis before buying parts is the smartest move.

Can You Drive with B1316?

Use caution. If the Check Engine Light is solid, you can usually drive a short distance to a shop at low load—highway merging and heavy acceleration will worsen misfires. However, if the CEL flashes, stop driving immediately. Unburned fuel entering the exhaust ignites inside the catalytic converter, and sustained overheating will destroy it. A new catalytic converter costs $1,000–$2,500, far more than fixing the original B1316 cause.

Related OBD2 Codes