B1708-00

BYD defines DTC B1708-00 as "Seat Driver Recline Rearward Switch Circuit Short To Ground", a body electrical system fault — Atto 3

Safety System

BYD defines DTC B1708-00 as "Seat Driver Recline Rearward Switch Circuit Short To Ground", a body electrical system fault.

This fault indicates the Seat Control Unit (SCU) detects an abnormal 0-ohm resistance (short to ground) in the driver seat recline rearward switch circuit.

Possible causes include switch contacts stuck closed, damaged harness insulation causing a short to ground, or connector water ingress.

This fault prevents rearward seat adjustment, causes uncontrolled continuous rearward movement, or disables the seat memory function.

Some third-party data sources incorrectly label this code as "left curtain airbag resistance is 0".

Airbag faults typically use the B10XX-B19XX range or dedicated SRS fault codes, and standard OBD-II assigns B1708 to the seat adjustment circuit.

The B1708-00 fault code on the Atto 3 indicates a medium-severity driver seat recline rearward switch circuit short to ground. This can stop rearward adjustment, cause continuous movement, or affect seat memory. Common causes include a stuck or water-damaged seat switch, or worn under-seat wiring insulation shorting to ground. The recommended fix is to visit an authorised dealer for diagnosis and repair. Typical repair cost data is available from recorded cases.
5
Cases Logged
5
Causes
  • 1Burnt internal contacts, deformed spring plate, or water ingress in the driver's seat backrest rearward adjustment switch causing a permanently closed short circuit.
  • 2Friction from frequent forward and backward seat movement wears through the under-seat wiring harness insulation, exposing the copper wire and causing a short to ground.
  • 3Poor sealing of the seat wiring harness connector. Water ingress and oxidation after washing the vehicle or wading cause a short circuit between pins or a short to ground.
  • 4Improper modifications (such as floor mat retaining clips or aftermarket seat heating) pierced or pinched the seat wiring harness.
  • 5Internal driver circuit fault in the Seat Control Module (SCU) or Body Control Module (BCM) (low probability)
  • 1
    Use a dedicated BYD diagnostic tool (BYD-EDS or Launch X-431) to read the fault codes, confirm whether B1708-00 is a current fault (Active) or a history fault (History), and check for any accompanying seat fault codes.
  • 2
    Visually inspect the wiring harness under the driver's seat and near the slide rails. Check friction points against the metal frame and areas with an excessively tight bend radius for damage, discoloration, or signs of water ingress.
  • 3
    Disconnect the seat adjustment switch connector and use a multimeter to measure the resistance of the rearward adjustment position on the switch side. The normal state is open circuit (OL). If the resistance is close to 0Ω, replace the switch assembly.
  • 4
    Measure the resistance to ground on the wiring harness side (with the SCU and switch disconnected). If continuity to ground exists, inspect the wiring harness in sections. Focus on the seat slide rail retaining clip and the wiring pass-through hole below the steering column.
  • 5
    If the wiring harness is damaged, repair the insulation layer using heat-shrink tubing or corrugated conduit and reposition the wiring harness retaining clips to add slack. If the switch is shorted, replace the driver seat multi-direction adjustment switch assembly.
  • 6
    Check the seat control module software version. If necessary, update to the latest version to rule out false faults.
  • 7
    After repair, clear the fault code. Test the seat fore/aft, up/down, and multiple backrest angle adjustments to verify the memory function sets and recalls correctly.
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Qin Pro DM seat wiring harness worn through, causing short circuit

Symptoms: Body system warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster. Diagnostic scan retrieved DTC B1708-00. Driver seat backrest rearward adjustment button inoperative. Diagnosis: Wiring harness connector beneath the driver seat found oxidised and loose. Frequent seat movement wore through the harness insulation, allowing internal wires to contact the vehicle body and short to ground. Repair: Replaced the driver seat backrest rearward adjustment switch assembly. Re-wrapped and secured the wiring harness beneath the seat. Fitted a protective sleeve to prevent future abrasion.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Song PLUS EV seat switch shorted due to water ingress

Symptom: Driver's seat adjustment failed suddenly while operating, and the memory function stopped working. Diagnostic scanner found DTC B1708-00 in the Seat Control Module (SCU). Disassembly found water ingress inside the side adjustment switch panel (owner spilled a drink). Testing confirmed a short circuit (abnormal continuity) in the rearward adjustment position. Repair: Replaced driver's seat adjustment switch assembly, applied waterproofing to seat harness connectors, and recalibrated memory function. All functions returned to normal.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Tang DM-i seat wiring harness intermittent short circuit

Symptoms: The dealership found historical fault code B1708-00 during a routine service. The owner had not noticed any obvious fault. Diagnosis: intermittent fault. While simulating seat fore/aft movement, the harness experienced excessive tension at extreme positions, causing momentary short circuits. Testing revealed microscopic damage to the harness insulation. Solution: Adjusted seat harness clip positions to increase slack, replaced the damaged harness segment, and installed high-grade abrasion-resistant protective conduit.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI Analysis

BYD Yuan Pro seat switch internal contacts deformed

Symptoms: Driver seat backrest would not adjust rearward; forward adjustment worked normally. Scan tool retrieved DTC B1708-00. Removed the switch and tested it: pressing the rearward adjustment button gave a resistance reading near 0 ohms (normal should be several hundred ohms). Disassembled the switch and found the internal contact spring plate had deformed, causing a constant short circuit. Solution: Replaced the driver seat multi-way adjustment switch assembly. Checked the related wiring harness, found no faults, then reinstalled the components.
Original source ↗
BYD DTC AI Analysis

Modified clip pierced the BYD e2 seat wiring harness.

Symptoms: Upon startup, the seat automatically moved to the rearward limit and could not be adjusted back. Diagnosis found the rearward adjustment switch stuck closed. The cause was traced to retaining clips from aftermarket floor mats piercing the wiring harness under the seat, shorting the power and signal wires. Resolution: Removed the improperly installed mat clips, repaired and re-insulated the damaged harness, replaced the seat adjustment switch damaged by the short circuit, and recalibrated the seat position memory function.
Original source ↗
Common problems reported for Atto 3Atto 3 overview →
Data confidence: Official This information is for reference only. Always consult a qualified technician for diagnosis and repair. Do not attempt high-voltage system repairs yourself.