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

Air Quality Sensor B+

1

1

--

--

Hydrocarbon Sensor Signal

B3843 02

1

1

1

NOX Sensor Signal

B2496 02

1

1

1

Low Reference

--

1

--

--

Air Quality Sensor Ground

--

1

--

--

1. Exhaust Odor In Vehicle

Circuit Description

The HVAC control module monitors the outside air quality via the air quality sensor assembly while in AUTO mode. The air quality sensor is a 5-wire sensor with a single ignition voltage circuit, a ground circuit, a low reference circuit, and two signal circuits. There are 2 sensors inside the air quality sensor assembly. A hydrocarbon (HC) sensor which is used for detecting gasoline exhaust fumes and a NOX sensor which is used for detecting oxides of nitrogen. When high levels of HC are detected at the front of the vehicle the HC sensor resistance and signal voltage are low. When high levels of NOX are detected at the front of the vehicle the Nox sensor resistance and signal voltage are high.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

HVAC Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

    •  Air Temperature Description and Operation
    •  Air Delivery 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 Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the air quality sensor.
  2. Test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 6 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal 1 and ground.
  5. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit test normal test or replace the HVAC control module.
  6. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 3 and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  8. Test for 4.8-5.2 volts between the ground circuit terminal 6 and the signal circuit terminal 4.
  9. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  10. Test for 4.8-5.2 volts between the ground circuit terminal 6 and the signal circuit terminal 2.
  11. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  12. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the air quality sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Outside Air Quality Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for HVAC control module replacement, setup, and programming