← Back to Search Severity: Medium

B0181

B0181: Body Control Module (BCM) - Low Beam Headlight Relay Circuit Malfunction

Fix Cost
$50 - $200
Parts & Labor
Difficulty
3/5
Moderate
1-2 hours
DIY Possible?
❌ No
Pro recommended
Category
Body
System

📖 What Does B0181 Mean?

The Body Control Module (BCM) has detected a malfunction in the low beam headlight relay circuit, which may cause the low beam headlights to malfunction or not function at all.
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Symptoms

  • • Dim or inoperative low beam headlights
  • • warning lights on the dashboard
  • • or a combination of both.
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Common Causes

  • • Faulty low beam headlight relay
  • • corrosion or water damage in the headlight circuit
  • • or a malfunctioning BCM.
Fix Guide
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Possible Solutions

1. Check the headlight circuit for corrosion or water damage and clean or replace as necessary. 2. Inspect the low beam headlight relay for signs of wear or damage and replace if necessary. 3. Use a scan tool to check for any BCM errors and clear any trouble codes. 4. If the issue persists, replace the BCM.

Required Parts

Tools

Multimeter Scan tool Torx screwdriver
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Need a Pro?

Complex codes like B0181 can be tricky. Don't risk it if you're unsure.

Quick Stats

Severity Medium
DIY Friendly No
Est. Time 1-2 hours
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Related Diagnostic Codes

Other codes that may appear with B0181

B0100 Same System

B0100: Seat Position Sensor Malfunction

Medium
B0101 Same System

B0101: Body System Code B0101 - Lighting

Medium
B0102 Same System

B0102: Immobilizer System Malfunction

Medium
B0103 Same System

B0103: Audio System Malfunction

Medium
B0104 Same System

B0104: Airbag System Malfunction

High
B0105 Same System

B0105: Climate Control Blower Motor Fault

Medium

💡 Why These Codes Are Related:

  • • Similar Issues: Same root cause or component failure
  • • Related Problems: Often occur together due to system interactions
  • • Sequential Codes: Progressive failure stages or multiple sensors
  • • Same System: Components within the same automotive system