What it means
The hood switch input reads stuck low — short to ground or stuck-closed switch. The body controller may treat the hood as permanently open and refuse to arm the alarm or close the HV interlock.
How it works
The engine hood switch input reports whether the hood is open or closed. This code sets when the input remains lower than expected, which can make the controller interpret the hood as continuously open even when it is shut.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Switch wire shorted to ground
- Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance
- Harness chafing through insulation
Symptoms
- Check-engine light or hood warning, if equipped
- Hood-open status may stay on or be reported incorrectly
- Alarm or remote-start operation may be affected, depending on vehicle
How to diagnose it
- Check live hood-status data with the hood open and closed to confirm whether the input stays in the low state.
- Inspect the hood switch and striker for misalignment or a switch that remains pressed when the hood is closed.
- Look over the switch wiring for insulation chafed through to ground and check the connector for corrosion or poor pin contact.
- Test the switch input circuit for a short to ground and verify connector continuity using the vehicle wiring diagram.
- If the harness is sound, test the switch’s state changes against the manufacturer’s specification.
Common fixes
- Correct hood switch or striker alignment so the switch releases when the hood opens.
- Repair a switch wire shorted to ground.
- Clean or replace corroded terminals and secure the connector.
- Replace a hood switch that remains closed electrically.
Can I keep driving?
The code generally does not affect engine operation, but the vehicle may continue to report the hood open and block alarm arming or remote start. Make sure the hood is firmly latched before driving and do not rely on remote start until the fault is fixed.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.