GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Left Front Turn Signal Lamp Control

B3948 02

B3948 04

B3948 01

--

Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Control

B3949 02

B3949 04

B3949 01

--

Left Rear Turn Signal Lamp Control

B3950 02

B3950 04

B3950 01

--

Right Rear Turn Signal Lamp Control

B3951 02

B3951 04

B3951 01

--

Left Repeater Lamp Control

B3948 02

8

B3948 01

--

Driver Outside Wing Mirror Lamp Control

B3948 02

10

B3948 01

--

Right Repeater Lamp Control

B3949 02

9

B3949 01

--

Passenger Outside Wing Mirror Lamp Control

B3949 02

11

B3949 01

--

Left Turn Signal Switch Signal

2

2

2

--

Right Turn Signal Switch Signal

3

3

3

--

Left Tail Lamp Ground

--

6

--

--

Left Repeater Lamp Ground

--

8

--

--

Driver Outside Wing Mirror Lamp Ground

--

10

--

--

Right Repeater Lamp Ground

--

9

--

--

Passenger Outside Wing Mirror Lamp Ground

--

11

--

--

Right Tail Lamp Ground

--

7

--

--

Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch Ground

--

1

--

--

Left Front Turn Signal Lamp Ground

--

4

--

--

Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Ground

--

5

--

--

1. All Turn Signals Lamps and/or Indicators Inoperative

2. Left Turn Signals Malfunction

3. Right Turn Signals Malfunction

4. Left Front Turn Signal Malfunction

5. Right Front Turn Signal Malfunction

6. Left Rear Turn Signal Malfunction

7. Right Rear Turn Signal Malfunction

8. Left Repeater Lamp Malfunction

9. Right Repeater Lamp Malfunction

10. Driver Outside Wing Mirror Lamp Malfunction

11. Passenger Outside Wing Mirror Lamp Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

Ground is applied at all times to the turn signal/multifunction switch. The turn signal lamps may only be activated with the ignition switch in the ON or START position. When the turn signal/multifunction switch is placed in either the TURN RIGHT or TURN LEFT position, ground is applied to the body control module (BCM) through either the right turn or left turn signal switch signal circuit. The BCM then applies a pulsating voltage to the front and rear turn signal lamps through there respective voltage supply circuits. When a turn signal request is received by the BCM, a serial data message is sent to the instrument cluster requesting the respective turn signal indicator be pulsed ON and OFF.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Right Turn Signal Switch parameter and Left Turn Signal Switch parameter while cycling the S78 Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch between the left and right positions. The readings should toggle between ACTIVE and INACTIVE.

If the readings do not change between the commanded states, refer to Turn Signal Switch Malfunction.
If the readings change between the commanded states and the instrument cluster turn signal indicators are inoperative, refer to Turn Signal Indicators Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Turn Signal Switch Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the S78 Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, verify that a test lamp illuminates between B+ and the ground circuit terminal 3.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Left Turn Signal Switch parameter is INACTIVE.
  5. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 1 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM).
  6. Verify the scan tool Right Turn Signal Switch parameter is INACTIVE.
  7. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 7 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM).
  8. Install a 3 A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 1 and ground. Verify the scan tool Left Turn Signal Switch parameter is ACTIVE.
  9. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM).
  10. Install a 3 A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 7 and ground. Verify the scan tool Right Turn Signal Switch parameter is ACTIVE.
  11. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM).
  12. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the S78 Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch.

Turn Signal Lamps Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative turn signal lamp.
  2. Ignition OFF, exterior lamps OFF, test for less than 5.0 Ω between the appropriate ground circuit terminal listed below and ground.
  3. • E3LH ground circuit terminal 1
    • E3RH ground circuit terminal 1
    • E42L Tail Lamp Assembly - Left ground circuit terminal F
    • E42R Tail Lamp Assembly - Left ground circuit terminal A
    • E4Y Turn Signal Repeater Lamp - Left ground circuit terminal 2
    • E4Z Turn Signal Repeater Lamp - Right ground circuit terminal 2
    • A9A Outside Rearview Mirror - Driver ground circuit terminal 4
    • A9B Outside Rearview Mirror - Passenger ground circuit terminal 4
    If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the appropriate control circuit terminal listed below and ground.
  5. • E3LH control circuit terminal 5
    • E3RH control circuit terminal 5
    • E42L Tail Lamp Assembly - Left control circuit terminal F
    • E42R Tail Lamp Assembly - Left control circuit terminal D
    • E4Y Turn Signal Repeater Lamp - Left control circuit terminal 1
    • E4Z Turn Signal Repeater Lamp - Right control circuit terminal 1
    • A9A Outside Rearview Mirror - Driver control circuit terminal 16
    • A9B Outside Rearview Mirror - Passenger control circuit terminal 16
  6. Command the appropriate Turn Signal Lamp ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  7. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM).
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM).
  8. If all circuits test normal, replace the appropriate turn signal lamp assembly.

Turn Signal Indicators Malfunction

Ignition ON, command the All Indicators test ON and OFF with the scan tool, verify both turn signal indicators changes between turn ON and OFF.

If both turn signal indicators changes between illuminate and not illuminate during the test, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM.
If one or both turn signal indicators do not illuminate during the test or remain illuminated at all times, replace the P16 Instrument Cluster.

Component Testing

Static Test

Turn Signal Switch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the S78 Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch.
  2. Test for less than 5 Ω between signal terminal 1 and ground terminal 3.
  3. If greater than the specified value, replace the S78 Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch.
  4. Test for less than 5 Ω between signal terminal 7 and ground terminal 3.
  5. If greater than the specified value, replace the S78 Turn Signal/Multifunction Switch.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Headlamp Replacement
    •  Front Side Turn Signal Lamp Replacement
    •  Tail Lamp Replacement
    •  Outside Rearview Mirror Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM or instrument cluster replacement, setup, and programming