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

B+, BCM C4 Terminal 1

2, 6

2, 6

--

--

B+, BCM C4 Terminal 3

3, 7

3, 7

--

--

B+, BCM C4 Terminal 4

4

4

--

--

Brake Apply Sensor Supply Voltage

C0870 03

C0870 03

C0870 07

--

Brake Apply Sensor Signal

C0277 06

C0277 06

C0277 07

C0277 09

Brake Pedal Position Sensor Low Reference

--

1, 5

--

--

Stop Lamp Switch Signal

C0297 00

--

--

--

CHMSL Supply Voltage

B3445 00

4

4

--

Stop Lamp Relay B+ -- Export

5

5

--

--

Stop Lamp Relay/CHMSL Supply Voltage -- Export

B3445 00

5

5

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Supply Voltage

2

2

2

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Supply Voltage

3

3

3

--

Left Rear Stop Lamp Supply Voltage -- Export

6

6

6

--

Right Rear Stop Lamp Supply Voltage -- Export

7

7

7

--

Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Ground

--

4

--

--

Left Rear Tail Lamp Assembly Ground

--

2, 6

--

--

Right Rear Tail Lamp Assembly Ground

--

3, 7

--

--

Stop Lamp Relay Ground -- Export

--

5

--

--

  1. Stop lamps malfunction
  2. Left stop/turn lamp malfunction
  3. Right stop/turn lamp malfunction
  4. Center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) malfunction
  5. Stop lamps malfunction -- export
  6. Left stop lamp malfunction -- export
  7. Right stop lamp malfunction -- export

Circuit/System Description

Domestic

The brake pedal position sensor is used to sense the action of the driver application of the brake pedal. The brake pedal position sensor provides an analog voltage signal that will increase as the brake pedal is applied. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference signal and a 5-volt reference voltage to the brake pedal position sensor. When the variable signal reaches a voltage threshold indicating the brakes have been applied, the BCM will apply battery positive voltage to the stop lamps, center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL), transmission control module (TCM), and engine control module (ECM). Ground for the left tail lamp assembly and CHMSL is provided by G402 and ground for the right tail lamp assembly is provided by G403.

Export

The brake pedal position sensor is used to sense the action of the driver application of the brake pedal. The brake pedal position sensor provides an analog voltage signal that will increase as the brake pedal is applied. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference signal and a 5-volt reference voltage to the brake pedal position sensor. When the variable signal reaches a voltage threshold indicating the brakes have been applied, the BCM will apply battery voltage to stop lamp relay coil control circuit, transmission control module (TCM), engine control module (ECM), and center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL). When the stop lamp relay receives battery voltage from the BCM, the relay coil is energized and the stop lamp relay switch contacts close applying battery voltage from the STOP LAMPS EXP Fuse to illuminate the rear stop lamps and trailer stop lamps. Ground for the left tail lamp assembly and CHMSL is provided by G402 and ground for the right tail lamp assembly is provided by G403.

Diagnostic Aids

Important: The stop lamps will not illuminate unless the ignition is in the ON position. For more detailed information concerning stop lamp operation, refer to Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Lighting Systems Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Output Controls
    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions

Circuit/System Testing

Stop Lamps Circuit Test -- Domestic

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the (C4) harness connector at the BCM.
  2. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the terminals listed below and ground.
  3. • B+ terminal 1
    • B+ terminal 3
    • B+ terminal 4
    If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit fuse is open, test the B+ circuit and the respective stop lamp circuits for a short to ground.
  4. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the brake pedal position sensor.
  5. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the low reference circuit terminal C and B+.
  6. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  7. Ignition OFF, disconnect harness connector at the inoperative stop/turn lamp.
  8. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms of resistance between the ground circuit terminal C and ground.
  9. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  10. Connect a test lamp between the supply voltage circuit terminal B and ground.
  11. Ignition ON, command the appropriate LR or RR Turn Signal ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  12. If the test lamp is always ON, test the supply voltage circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the supply voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  13. If all circuits test normal, replace the inoperative stop/turn signal bulb or lamp assembly.

Stop Lamps Circuit Test -- Export

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the (C4) harness connector at the BCM.
  2. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the B+ terminals listed below and ground.
  3. • B+ terminal 1
    • B+ terminal 3
    • B+ terminal 4
    If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit fuse is open, test the B+ circuit and the respective stop lamp circuits for a short to ground.
  4. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the brake pedal position sensor.
  5. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the low reference circuit terminal C and B+.
  6. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  7. Ignition OFF, disconnect the STOP LAMP EXP Relay from the rear fuse block.
  8. Test for less than 5 ohms of resistance between the ground circuit terminal 9 and ground
  9. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  10. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp does not illuminate between the supply voltage terminal 6 and ground.
  11. If the test lamp illuminates, test the supply voltage circuit for a short to voltage.
  12. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 10 and ground.
  13. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  14. Connect a test lamp between the supply voltage circuit terminal 8 and the ground circuit terminal 9.
  15. Ignition ON, apply and release the brake pedal. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF as the brake pedal is applied and released.
  16. If the test lamp is always ON, test the supply voltage circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the supply voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  17. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative stop lamp.
  18. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms of resistance between the ground circuit terminal H and ground.
  19. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  20. Connect a test lamp between the supply voltage circuit terminal B and ground.
  21. Connect a 3A fused jumper wire between the stop lamp relay B+ circuit terminal 10 and the supply voltage circuit terminal 6. The test lamp should illuminate.
  22. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the supply voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the bulb.
  23. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the stop lamp relay.

High Mounted Stop Lamp Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the CHMSL.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohm of resistance between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the supply voltage circuit terminal A and the ground circuit terminal B.
  5. Ignition ON, apply and release the brake pedal. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF as the brake pedal is applied and released.
  6. If the test lamp is always ON, test the supply voltage circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the supply voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  7. If all circuits test normal, replace the CHMSL.

Component Test

Relay Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the relay.
  2. Test for 70-100 ohms of resistance between terminals 85 and 86.
  3. If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the relay.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
  5. • 30 and 85
    • 30 and 86
    • 30 and 87
    • 85 and 87
    If not the specified value, replace the relay.
  6. Install a 10A fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and B+. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between terminals 30 and 87.
  7. If greater than the specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Important: Perform the Brake Pedal Position Sensor Calibration after replacement of the brake pedal position sensor.

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Brake Pedal Position Sensor Replacement
    •  High Mount Stop Lamp Replacement
    •  Tail Lamp Replacement
    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming