B1423 — Power Window RR Motor Circuit Open

body electrical

Is it safe to drive?

Short-term driving is OK Usually safe to drive — body codes rarely affect drivability. Exceptions: exterior lighting and wipers in bad weather, and central locking faults that can leave the car unsecured.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm B1423 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
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.
Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the body electrical system for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Do a continuity test end-to-end on the power window RR motor circuit and wiggle the harness while measuring — intermittent opens show up as fluctuating readings.
Subsystem check Operate the affected function while watching its switch and motor PIDs in live data.
Subsystem check Inspect connectors and wiring at flex points (door jambs, tailgate hinges) — wires break there first.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm B1423 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for B1423 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250; BCM repair or replacement: $300–$900; Replace the switch or actuator: $120–$450. Overall, fixing B1423 usually costs between $80 and $900. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

What are the symptoms of B1423?

Drivers most often notice: the affected function (locks, windows, lighting, wipers) works intermittently or not at all, warning light on the dashboard, no impact on engine operation in most cases.

How much does it cost to fix B1423?

Repair wiring or connectors — $80–$250; BCM repair or replacement — $300–$900; Replace the switch or actuator — $120–$450. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

Will B1423 clear itself?

Sometimes B1423 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

Is it safe to drive with B1423?

Usually safe to drive — body codes rarely affect drivability. Exceptions: exterior lighting and wipers in bad weather, and central locking faults that can leave the car unsecured.

What does OBD2 code B1423 mean?

Power Window RR Motor Circuit Open (B1423): a body electrical fault affecting the body electrical system. The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Most often caused by damaged wiring in door jambs or wet areas, corroded or loose connectors, blown fuse or failed relay.

When your vehicle's diagnostic system logs B1423, it's telling you that the electrical pathway feeding the rear power window motor has lost continuity. The term "circuit open" simply means the module sent voltage out expecting current to flow back, and nothing came through — the loop is broken somewhere. This falls under the body electrical category in the OBD2 standard, which covers everything from door locks and window regulators to lighting and wiper systems.

The rear power window circuit relies on a straightforward path: battery voltage travels through a fuse, down the wiring harness, through the master switch or relay, into the window motor, and back through ground. When any single segment of that path fails to conduct — whether from a severed wire, corroded connector, blown fuse, or failed motor — the body control module detects the missing current flow and sets B1423. The module won't trigger this code from a single momentary glitch; it requires the open circuit to appear under specific operating conditions before recording the fault and illuminating the check-engine or body warning light.

The freeze frame data stored alongside B1423 is your roadmap. It captures engine load, RPM, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed the instant the fault was detected, so you can recreate those exact conditions during testing rather than chasing a problem that only happens when the engine is at operating temperature and the vehicle is moving above 30 mph.

Symptoms of B1423

The rear power window fails to respond to switch commands — up, down, or both directions
The window works intermittently, cutting out during certain weather or temperature conditions
The rear window operates normally while other windows do not, indicating an isolated circuit problem
Dashboard warning light or message related to body electrical systems
No effect on engine performance, transmission operation, or drivetrain function
Possible associated failures in nearby circuits sharing the same ground or power source

Common causes of B1423

Internally failed rear power window motor — the most frequent culprit when the window is completely dead
Broken or chafed wiring in the door harness, particularly at flex points where wires bend with door operation
Connector pins pushed back, corroded, or covered in oxidation, preventing reliable electrical contact
Blown fuse dedicated to the rear window circuit or shared with adjacent body functions
Faulty window switch, either at the door panel or the master control
Water intrusion into the door panel causing corrosion of connectors or motor terminals
Body control module programming error or internal circuit failure — less common but worth checking if everything else checks out

How to diagnose B1423

Connect an OBD2 scanner and verify B1423 is an active or pending code, then record the freeze frame data. This snapshot tells you the exact circumstances when the module first spotted the fault.
Pull all stored codes — other body electrical or communication codes often point to the real root cause. Check manufacturer TSBs for your specific make and model; some B0xxx codes have factory-issued software updates or harness modifications already documented.
Visually trace the rear window circuit from the door hinge area back to the BCM. Inspect the wiring harness at flex points where wires pass through the door jamb — these areas crack first from repeated flexing.
Perform a continuity test across the entire circuit using a multimeter. With the connector unplugged, check resistance from the motor side through to the BCM side. An open circuit reads as infinite resistance. Wiggle the harness during testing to expose intermittent faults that only appear under vibration.
Test for voltage at the motor connector while someone operates the switch. No voltage present means the fault is upstream in the switch or BCM. Voltage present with the motor grounded means the motor itself is open internally.
Inspect connector terminals under magnification if possible. Corrosion appears as greenish-white crusting, while backed-out pins leave a visible gap in the housing.
Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle that matches the freeze frame conditions, and rescan to confirm whether B1423 returns.

Repair options and costs

Wiring repair or connector replacement: Clean corroded terminals, solder broken wires, or replace damaged connectors — parts and labor typically run $80–$250 depending on accessibility.
Rear window motor replacement: If the motor is internally open, replacement is the only lasting fix — parts and labor generally $150–$400 depending on the vehicle.
Window switch replacement: Either the master switch or the rear door switch can fail and interrupt the circuit — parts and labor typically $80–$250.
BCM repair or replacement: When the module itself is at fault, repair through a specialist or full replacement costs $300–$900 depending on programming requirements.

How much does it really cost to fix B1423?

The total bill hinges entirely on which component triggered the code. Independent shop labor rates in the United States typically run $75–$125 per hour. For most vehicles, a wiring repair or switch replacement falls in the $80–$250 range. A failed rear window motor pushes the cost to $150–$400. BCM replacement sits at the high end at $300–$900 once you factor in programming and calibration. Most shops charge a diagnostic fee of $75–$150 that applies toward any subsequent repair. Always request a written diagnosis before approving work — the most expensive component is rarely the first one to blame.

Can you drive with B1423?

Short-term driving is generally safe. B1423 affects a convenience feature, not a safety-critical system, so your engine, brakes, and steering remain unaffected. However, a failed rear window can become a liability if the window sticks in the open position — exposed to rain, theft, or temperature extremes. If the rear window is the only one that fails, you retain three other windows for emergency ventilation or egress. Address the issue before it leaves you stranded without a functioning window in poor weather.