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.

DTC Descriptors

DTC B1441 01: Device Ignition OFF, RUN, and CRANK Circuit Short to Battery

DTC B1441 06: Device Ignition OFF, RUN, and CRANK Circuit Short to Ground or Open

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

B+

B1440 00

B1440 00

--

--

Off/Run/Crank

B1440 00

B1440 00, B1441 06

B1440 00, B1441 01

--

Circuit/System Description

This vehicles power mode master (PMM) is the body control module (BCM). The ignition switch is a low current switch with multiple discrete ignition switch signals to the PMM for determination of the power mode. The PMM receives the ignition switch signals, and additionally a reference voltage signal from the BCM, through the ignition switch, and back to the BCM. There are redundancies within the PMM system that can allow operation of certain subsystems when there are faults in the ignition switch circuits. Other information such as serial data input from other modules and DTCs is also used to determine what power mode signals and information is transmitted by the PMM. The BCM logic uses all this information to identify the operators desired power mode and activate specific discrete signals, and serial data messages for the operation of many different subsystems as necessary. Other modules which have switched voltage inputs may operate in a default mode if the PMM serial data message does not match what the individual module can see from its own connections.

The PMM will activate relays and other direct outputs of the PMM as needed according to the calculated power mode. Several relays controlled by the BCM are switched ignition voltage outputs the are pass through circuits within the BCM directly from the ignition switch. If these circuits short to ground, the fuse to the ignition switch will open.

Some system functions may operate one time and not the next with a specific fault in the ignition switch circuits depending on the vehicle operating conditions when the fault occurred. Some examples are as follows:

Vehicle Conditions

    • Vehicle running or not running
    • Multiple circuit faults
    • Ignition key position
    • Transmission gear selected

System Action

    • The vehicle may or may not start
    • Instrument panel indicators may illuminate or not illuminate at inappropriate times
    • Remote start may operate incorrectly
    • Ignition key may not return to OFF
    • Specific Retained Accessory Power (RAP) functions may operate while others do not

Conditions for Running the DTC

Ignition switch is in the START position.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

B1441 01

Off/run/crank voltage circuit is shorted to voltage for more than 2 seconds.

B1441 06

Off/run/crank voltage circuit is open for more than 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The BCM operates in a fail-safe power mode dependent on the last valid power mode detected and the state of the engine run flag data on the GMLAN serial data communications circuits.
    • The other modules on the vehicle operate in a fail-safe power mode dependent on the last valid power mode transmitted by the BCM and the state of the engine run flag on the GMLAN serial data communications circuits.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • A current DTC clears when the malfunction is no longer present.
    • A history DTC clears when the module ignition cycle counter reaches the reset threshold of 50, without a repeat of the malfunction.

Diagnostic Aids

    • A short to ground in the accessory wakeup serial data circuit will cause an open fuse to the ignition switch. DTC U1814 should be current.
    • A short to ground in the run/crank ignition 1 voltage circuit of the run crank relay will cause an open fuse to the ignition switch. DTC B1428 should be current.
    • The power modes and controls are determined using BCM logic. Comparing the Body Control Module Power Mode data display parameters listed in Circuit/System Verification will determine if there is a power mode fault.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Power Moding Schematics
    •  Power Distribution Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Retained Accessory Power 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

With a scan tool, verify the Power Mode data display parameters match the chart below. The PMM Power Mode Parameters table below illustrates the correct state of these input parameters (circuits) in correspondence to the ignition switch position. The circuits which the individual parameters are related to are in parentheses.

PMM Power Mode Parameters

Ignition Switch Position

Current Power Mode

Ignition Off/Run/Crank

(Off/Run Crank Voltage Circuit)

Ignition Accessory/Run

(Accessory Voltage Circuit)

Ignition Run/Crank

(Ignition 1 Voltage Circuit)

Off Key Out

Off

Key Out/ACC

Inactive

Inactive

Off Key IN

Off

Key In/Off

Inactive

Inactive

Accessory

Accessory

Key Out/ACC

Active

Inactive

Run

Run

Run

Active

Active

Start

Crank Request

Crank

Inactive

Active

If any parameters are incorrect in any key position, proceed to the Circuit/System Testing.

Circuit/System Testing

Important: You must perform the Circuit/System Verification before proceeding with Circuit/System Testing.

  1. Verify the B+ fuse to the ignition switch is not open.
  2. If the fuse is open, test the following circuits for a short to ground, if all circuits test OK, replace the BCM.
    • Ignition Switch Battery positive voltage - Terminal 1
    • Ignition Switch Ignition 1 voltage - Terminal 2
    • Ignition Switch Accessory voltage - Terminal 4
    • Ignition Switch Off/Run crank voltage - Terminal 5
  3. Disconnect the harness connector at the Key In Switch.
  4. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohms of resistance between the Key In Switch terminal 1 and terminal 2.
  5. If greater than the specified range, replace the Key In Switch.
  6. Ignition OFF, key out, test for infinite resistance between the Key In Switch terminal 1 and terminal 2.
  7. If less than the specified range, replace the Key In Switch.
  8. Connect the harness connector at the Key In Switch.
  9. Disconnect the harness connector at the ignition switch.
  10. Verify a test lamp illuminates between the battery positive voltage circuit of the ignition switch and ground.
  11. If not the specified value, test the circuit for an open/high resistance

    Important: The ignition switch component test must be preformed before proceeding with this test to verify the integrity of the switch.

  12. Perform the ignition switch component test. The test should pass.
  13. If the ignition switch fails, replace the ignition switch.
  14. Ignition OFF, disconnect X1 harness connector at the BCM.
  15. With a DMM, test for less than 1 volt between the following circuits of the BCM and ground.
  16. • Ignition key resistor signal Terminal 4
    • Off/Run crank Terminal 2
    • Accessory voltage Terminal 21
    • Ignition 1 voltage Terminal 14
    If not the specified range, test the circuit for a short to voltage.
  17. Ignition key out, with a DMM, test for less than 1 volt between the following circuits of the BCM and ground.
  18. • Ignition key resistor signal Terminal 4
    • Off/Run crank Terminal 2
    • Accessory voltage Terminal 21
    • Ignition 1 voltage Terminal 14
    If not the specified range, test the circuit for a short to voltage.
  19. Disconnect the harness connector at the Key In Switch.
  20. Install a jumper wire between the Key In Switch terminal 1 and terminal 2.
  21. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohms of resistance between the BCM and the ignition switch on the following circuits.
  22. • Ignition key resistor signal Terminal 4 and Terminal 6
    • Off/Run crank Terminal 2 and Terminal 5
    • Off/Run crank Terminal 2 and Terminal 3
    • Accessory voltage Terminal 21 and Terminal 4
    • Ignition 1 voltage Terminal 14 and Terminal 2
    If not the specified range, test the circuit for open/high resistance.
  23. Ignition OFF, test for infinite resistance between the BCM ignition key resistor signal circuit terminal 4 and ground.
  24. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to ground.
  25. If all circuits test normal, replace the BCM.

Component Testing

Ignition Switch

Using the Resistance Test below, check the resistance between the pins of the ignition switch listed in each switch position listed.

If any reading is other than specified, replace the ignition switch.

Resistance Test

Ignition Switch Position

Pins 1 and 4

Pins 1 and 2

Pins 1 and 3

Pins 5 and 6

Off Key Out

Infinite

Infinite

Infinite

Infinite

Off Key IN

Infinite

Infinite

< 5.0 ohms

Infinite

Accessory

< 5.0 ohms

Infinite

Infinite

Infinite

Run

< 5.0 ohms

< 5.0 ohms

Infinite

< 5.0 ohms

Start

Infinite

< 5.0 ohms

Infinite

1275-1325 ohms

Key In Switch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the Key In Switch.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between the signal terminal 1 and the control circuit terminal 2 with the switch in the open position.
  3. If not the specified value, replace the key in switch.
  4. Test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the signal terminal 1 and the control circuit terminal 2 with the switch in the closed position.
  5. If not the specified value, replace the key in switch.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the repair.

    •  Ignition and Start Switch Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming