C1947 — Seat Track Position Switch Circuit Short to Ground

OBD2 code C1947 flags a problem with the sensor and actuator circuits (seat track position switch circuit short to ground). The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Common culprits: control module driver fault, faulty sensor or actuator of the affected circuit, poor ground connection.

chassis (brakes/steering/suspension)

Is it safe to drive?

Short-term driving is OK In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm C1947 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 C0xxx 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 seat track position switch circuit short to ground for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Measure reference voltage, ground and signal continuity at the component connector.
Subsystem check Wiggle-test the harness while watching the signal in live data — dropouts reveal broken wires.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm C1947 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for C1947 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250; Replace the faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500; Control module repair: $300–$1,000. Overall, fixing C1947 usually costs between $80 and $1,000. 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 C1947 mean?

What are the symptoms of C1947?

Drivers most often notice: possible limp mode depending on the affected component, Check Engine Light on, increased fuel consumption in some cases, the affected system operates intermittently or not at all.

Will C1947 clear itself?

Sometimes C1947 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 C1947?

In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How do I diagnose C1947 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm C1947, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the sensor and actuator circuits, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

When your scan tool pulls code C1947, it's telling you that the vehicle's control module has detected a specific electrical fault: a short to ground in the seat track position switch circuit. This falls within the chassis electronics category of OBD2 codes, which covers systems like brakes, steering, and suspension rather than the engine itself.

The affected circuit plays a role in how the car monitors and responds to the driver's seat position. Modern vehicles use seat position sensors for various safety and comfort functions. When the control module sees voltage readings that don't match what it expects—specifically, a circuit behavior indicating an unwanted connection to ground—it stores C1947 and typically illuminates a warning light on the dashboard.

The module doesn't set this code based on a single bad reading. It monitors the circuit across multiple drive cycles, waiting for a consistent pattern before flagging the fault. When C1947 is finally stored, the module saves freeze frame data alongside it, capturing the engine speed, load, temperature, and vehicle speed at the exact moment the problem was detected. That snapshot becomes your roadmap for figuring out what went wrong.

Common symptoms of C1947

The Check Engine light or a chassis warning lamp turns on and stays lit
The affected system may operate erratically or stop working entirely
Some vehicles enter a limited-performance limp mode depending on which component is involved
Fuel economy can increase slightly in certain cases due to altered engine management strategies
The fault may come and go, especially if the underlying issue is a loose connection rather than a failed component

What causes C1947?

Corrosion, looseness, or physical damage at the seat track position switch connector
A failed seat position sensor or related actuator in the circuit
Wiring that has an open circuit or an unintended short to ground somewhere along its path
A problem with the control module's driver circuit that handles this particular input
A blown fuse that supplies power to the affected circuit
A weak or interrupted ground connection at the component or module

How to diagnose C1947

Hook up your OBD2 scanner and confirm C1947 is present in the codes menu. Save the freeze frame data—this snapshot tells you exactly what the engine was doing when the fault first appeared and guides your inspection priorities.
Look for any related diagnostic trouble codes stored at the same time. Additional codes in the C0xxx range often point directly to the root cause. Check for TSBs (technical service bulletins) for your specific make and model by searching your VIN on the manufacturer's website or nhtsa.gov—many seat position switch issues have known fixes or require a software update.
Perform a thorough visual inspection of the wiring harness and connectors tied to the seat track position switch circuit. Look for damaged insulation, broken wires, corrosion buildup, and any signs that connectors are not fully seated.
At the component connector, use a multimeter to check for proper reference voltage, confirm ground continuity, and verify that the signal line is intact and not shorted to ground.
Conduct a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring live data on your scanner. If the signal drops out or becomes erratic when you move the wiring, you've found a broken wire or intermittent connection.
After addressing any issues found, clear the code and drive the vehicle through a complete drive cycle—including conditions similar to those recorded in the freeze frame data. If C1947 does not return, the repair is confirmed.

Repair options for C1947

Address the most likely culprits before committing to expensive replacements:

Wiring harness repair or connector replacement: $80–$250
Replacement of the faulty seat track position sensor or related actuator: $150–$500
Control module diagnosis and repair (if the module itself is at fault): $300–$1,000

How much does it cost to fix C1947?

The total bill hinges on which part actually failed. Based on typical parts and labor rates at independent shops (USD):

Repairing damaged wiring or connectors typically runs $80 to $250
Installing a replacement sensor or actuator usually costs $150 to $500
If the control module needs attention, expect $300 to $1,000

Most C1947 repairs fall somewhere between $80 and $1,000 total. Getting an accurate diagnosis before purchasing components is the smartest move—the worst-case scenario is rarely where you should start.

Can you drive with C1947?

In most situations, the vehicle remains driveable, though you may notice reduced system performance or a disabled auxiliary feature. If the fault triggers stalling, a no-start condition, or affects braking and steering warnings, treat it as a priority and seek repairs immediately.