GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The Park Brake System uses a pair of solenoids to set or release the park brake pedal. These solenoids are powered by relays which are commanded ON and OFF by the body control module (BCM). When the gear shift lever is taken out of Park or Neutral, the BCM simultaneously activates both solenoids to release the park brake pedal. Solenoid A is deactivated after 2 seconds and solenoid B remains activated until the gear shift lever is in Park or Neutral, the engine is OFF, and the park brake switch is closed.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC C0290 Park Brake Hold Relay Circuit

This vehicle has DTCs that include DTC Symptoms. For more information on DTC Symptoms, refer to DTC Symptom Description in Vehicle DTC Information.

DTC Symptom

DTC Symptom Descriptor

02

Short to Ground

05

Short to Battery or Open

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • Ignition voltage is greater than 8 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

C0291 02

The BCM detects park brake relay B circuit is shorted to ground.

C0291 05

The BCM detects one of the following conditions:

    • The park brake relay B circuit is shorted to battery.
    • The park brake relay B circuit is open.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The ABS indicator turns ON.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The condition for the DTC is no longer present and the DTC is cleared with a scan tool.
    • The electronic brake control module (EBCM) automatically clears the history DTC when a current DTC is not detected in 100 consecutive drive cycles.

Diagnostic Aids

DTC C0290 02

The park brake relay B circuit is shorted to ground.

DTC C0290 05

Possible causes of this DTC are the following conditions:

    • The park brake relay B circuit is shorted to voltage.
    • The park brake relay B circuit is open.

Test Description

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

  1. Tests the park brake hold relay control circuit for power.

  2. Tests for open in park brake hold relay ground circuit.

  3. Tests for open, short to ground or short to B+ in park brake hold relay control circuit.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Park Brake System Schematics

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

  1. Remove park brake hold relay from relay block.
  2. Connect test light between ground and D2 on relay block.
  3. With a scan tool command relay B ON.

Did test light come ON?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Check for open in relay B ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and repair condition?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 5

4

Check for open, short to ground or short to B+ in park brake relay coil 2 control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct condition?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

5

Replace park brake hold relay.

Did you complete replacement?

Go to Step 7

--

6

Replace the body control module (BCM). Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete replacement?

Go to Step 7

--

7

Clear DTCs, then operate the park brake.

Does the park brake release?

System OK

Go to Step 2