GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The vehicle stability enhancement system (VSES) is activated by the EBCM calculating the desired yaw rate and comparing it to the actual yaw rate input. The desired yaw rate is calculated from measured steering wheel position, vehicle speed, and lateral acceleration. The difference between the desired yaw rate and actual yaw rate is the yaw rate error, which is a measurement of oversteer or understeer. If the yaw rate error becomes too large, the EBCM will attempt to correct the vehicle's yaw motion by applying differential braking to the left or right front wheel.

The VSES activations generally occur during aggressive driving, in the turns or bumpy roads without much use of the accelerator pedal. When braking during VSES activation, the brake pedal will feel different than the ABS pedal pulsation. The brake pedal pulsates at a higher frequency during VSES activation.

The usable output voltage range for the lateral accelerometer and yaw rate sensors is 0.25-4.75 volts. The scan tool will report zero lateral acceleration or yaw rate as 2.5 volts with no sensor bias present. The sensor bias compensates for sensor mounting alignment errors, electronic signal errors, temperature changes, and manufacturing differences.

The steering wheel position sensor supplies 1 analog input and 2 digital inputs, Phase A and Phase B, to the EBCM. By interpreting the relationship between the inputs, the EBCM can determine the position of the steering wheel and the direction of steering wheel rotation.

Steer angle centering is the process by which the EBCM calibrates the steering sensor output so that the output reads zero when the steering wheel is centered. Using the yaw rate input, lateral accelerometer input, and wheel speed sensor inputs, the initial steering center position is calculated after driving greater than 10 km/h (6 mph) for more than 10 seconds in a straight line on a level surface.

Conditions for Running the DTC

The EBCM performs 4 different tests to detect a DTC condition. The numbers below correspond to the numbers in Conditions for Setting the DTC.

  1. The yaw rate sensor bias test runs with the ignition ON.
  2. The yaw rate sensor acceleration test runs with the ignition ON.
  3. The yaw rate sensor circuit test runs with the vehicle stopped or with the vehicle speed greater than 40 km/h (25 mph).
  4. The yaw rate isolation test runs with the VSES active.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The EBCM performs 4 different tests to detect a DTC condition. The numbers below correspond to the numbers in Conditions for Running the DTC.

  1. The yaw rate bias is greater than 7 degrees/second.
  2. The yaw rate input change is greater than 390 degrees/second/second.
  3. The yaw rate input voltage is less than 0.15 volts or greater than 4.85 volts for 1 second.
  4. The yaw rate error is greater than 10 degrees/second for 5 seconds. Under this condition, this DTC will set along with DTC C1281.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The EBCM disables the VSES for the duration of the ignition cycle.
    • The DIC displays the Service Stability System message.
    • The ABS/TCS remains functional.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The condition for the DTC is no longer present (the DTC is not current) and you used the scan tool Clear DTC function.
    • The condition for the DTC is no longer present (the DTC is not current) and you used the On-Board Diagnostics Clear DTC function.
    • The EBCM automatically clears the history DTC when a current DTC is not detected in 50 consecutive drive cycles.

Diagnostic Aids

The following conditions can cause this concern:

    • Improper steering alignment.
    • Open, short to ground, or short to voltage.
    • Internal lateral accelerometer failure.
    • EBCM internal failure.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. Tests for the proper operation of the circuit in the low voltage range.

  2. Tests for the proper operation of the circuit in the high voltage range. If the fuse in the jumper opens when you perform this test, the signal circuit is shorted to ground.

  3. Tests for a short to voltage in the 5 volt reference circuit.

  4. Tests the bias voltage of the yaw rate sensor.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Antilock Brake System Schematics

1

Did you perform the ABS Diagnostic System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - ABS

2

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With the scan tool, observe the Yaw Rate Sensor Input parameter in the Delco/Bosch ABS/TCS ICCS2 data list.

Does the scan tool display that the Yaw Rate Sensor Input parameter is within the specified range?

0.15-4.85 V

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the yaw rate sensor connector.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With the scan tool, observe the Yaw Rate Sensor Input parameter.

Does the scan tool display that the Yaw Rate Sensor Input parameter is less than the specified value?

0.15 V

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 10

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect a 3 amp fused jumper wire between the 5 volt reference circuit of the yaw rate sensor and the signal circuit of the yaw rate sensor.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With the scan tool, observe the Yaw Rate Sensor Input parameter.

Does the scan tool display that the Yaw Rate Sensor Input parameter is greater than the specified value?

4.85 V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 8

5

  1. Disconnect the fused jumper wire.
  2. Measure the voltage between the 5 volt reference circuit of the yaw rate sensor and the ground circuit of the yaw rate sensor.

Does the voltage measure less the specified value?

5 V

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 7

6

Does the scan tool display that the Yaw Rate Sensor Input parameter is within the specified range?

2.3-2.7 V

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 11

7

Test the 5 volt reference circuit of the yaw rate sensor for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 13

8

Test the 5 volt reference circuit of the yaw rate sensor for the following conditions:

    • An open
    • A short to ground
    • A high resistance

Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 9

9

Test the signal circuit of the yaw rate sensor for the following conditions:

    • An open
    • A short to ground
    • A high resistance

Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 13

10

Test the signal circuit of the yaw rate sensor for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 13

11

  1. Disconnect the EBCM harness connector.
  2. Install the J 39700 universal pinout box using the J 39700-25 cable adapter to the EBCM harness connector only.
  3. Test the ground circuit of the yaw rate sensor for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 12

12

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the yaw rate sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 14

13

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the EBCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 15

14

Replace the yaw rate sensor. Refer to Vehicle Yaw Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

15

Replace the EBCM. Refer to Electronic Brake Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

16

  1. Clear the DTCs using the scan tool.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK