Electric rear defrost circuit high
What it means
B0286. Electric rear defrost circuit high. The defrost grid current reads high and the body warning light comes on. This Chevy-enhanced code applies to Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Saturn models that use this code.
Findings, check these first
- Rear defrost grid or power circuit shorted to ground
- Low resistance in the rear defrost grid pulling high current
- Shorted rear defrost relay contacts
- Corroded or loose rear defrost power connector
- Faulty output inside the body control module
Standard procedure
- Confirm the code with a scan tool and command the rear defrost on
- Measure the rear defrost grid current against spec
- Check the rear defrost fuse and relay
- Test the rear defrost grid for a short to ground
- Replace the rear defrost relay or body control module only after the circuit tests pass, then clear the code and retest
Look up another code
Press / to jump to the box. Chevy-enhanced powertrain, body, chassis and network codes.
Sources and review
Review: checked against the recorded source material.
- Code B0286 definition | OBDII.pro
live manufacturer definition (obdii.pro)
Supports: GM manufacturer meaning for B0286
Fetched directly. The GM entry is the brand-family meaning used here. This site is independent of engine-codes and autocodes.
- B0286 CHEVROLET Electric Rear Defrost Circuit High | Engine-Codes.com
archived reference page (engine-codes.com via Wayback Machine)
Supports: Chevrolet meaning and possible causes for B0286
Fetched directly. Model and year fitment remain curator claims.
- B0286 CHEVROLET Electric Rear Defrost Circuit High | AutoCodes.com
archived reference page (autocodes.com via Wayback Machine)
Supports: corroboration of Chevrolet meaning and causes for B0286
Same Chevrolet text as the engine-codes page (both sites share one publisher).
Last updated 2026-10-10.
Report a correction for B0286. Include your vehicle, the issue and a source if you have one.