Faulty wiper motor park switch or internal park contacts; Damaged or corroded wiring in the park switch circuit; Loose or dirty electrical connector at the wiper motor or BCM; Failed body control module (BCM) or wiper control module; Blown fuse or poor ground connection for the wiper circuit; Mechanical binding or obstruction in the wiper linkage causing the motor to stall before park

DTC codes / B01xx · Airbags, seats, doors, lights and comfort systems / B0190

B0190Front Wiper Park Switch Circuit

Q: What does code B0190 mean?

Front Wiper Park Switch Circuit. B0190 indicates that the body control module (BCM) or wiper control module has detected an unexpected signal from the front wiper park switch circuit, meaning the wipers are not in their designated rest position when they should be. The module monitors the park switch input and sets this code when the voltage or state does not match the commanded wiper operation, often due to a faulty switch, wiring issue, or motor park contact problem.

B0190 indicates that the body control module (BCM) or wiper control module has detected an unexpected signal from the front wiper park switch circuit, meaning the wipers are not in their designated rest position when they should be. The module monitors the park switch input and sets this code when the voltage or state does not match the commanded wiper operation, often due to a faulty switch, wiring issue, or motor park contact problem.

SystemBody

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaAirbags, seats, doors, lights and comfort systems

Symptoms you may notice

Wipers may fail to return to the park position and stop mid-windshield
Wipers may run continuously or only at certain speeds
Intermittent wiper function may be erratic or inoperative
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the park switch fails intermittently
Wipers may park in the wrong location or not at all after turning off the switch
Other body control functions may be affected if the fault is in a shared module

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty wiper motor park switch or internal park contacts
Damaged or corroded wiring in the park switch circuit
Loose or dirty electrical connector at the wiper motor or BCM
Failed body control module (BCM) or wiper control module
Blown fuse or poor ground connection for the wiper circuit
Mechanical binding or obstruction in the wiper linkage causing the motor to stall before park

How to diagnose and fix it

Check for any related technical service bulletins (TSBs) or recalls for the wiper system
Inspect the wiper motor connector and park switch wiring for corrosion, damage, or looseness
Test the park switch circuit with a multimeter for continuity and voltage signals according to the service manual
Verify the wiper motor ground and power supply are intact and free of voltage drops
Replace the wiper motor if the park switch is integrated and faulty
Repair or replace damaged wiring or connectors in the park switch circuit
If all else checks out, diagnose or replace the BCM or wiper control module as needed

Park switch faults often misdiagnosed

A common mistake is replacing the wiper motor when the real problem is a corroded connector or chafed wire in the park switch circuit, so always perform a voltage drop test before condemning parts.
The park switch may test fine with a multimeter but fail intermittently due to heat or vibration, so wiggle-test the harness while monitoring the signal.
On some vehicles, the park switch signal is shared with the rain sensor or intermittent wiper function, so a fault there can set B0190 without any wiper motor issue.
A weak battery or charging system problem can cause the BCM to misread the park switch signal, so check system voltage first.
After repairs, the wiper motor may need to be reinitialized or calibrated with a scan tool for the park position to be learned correctly.

Can I keep driving with B0190?

You can generally drive with this code, but avoid using the wipers in heavy rain if they fail to park or operate unpredictably, as visibility could be compromised. Have the system inspected soon to prevent further damage or safety issues.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.