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Security Lamp Illuminated on the IP, Engine Stalls, No Start, DTC B2960 (Security System Sensor Data Incorrect but Valid) Set (Inspect and Repair Cause of DTC B2960)

Subject:Security Lamp Illuminated on the IP, Engine Stalls, No Start, DTC B2960 (Security System Sensor Data Incorrect but Valid) Set (Inspect and Repair Cause of DTC B2960)

Models:1999-2001 Chevrolet and GMC M/L-Van Models



This bulletin is being revised to add information on inspecting for electrical intermittent conditions and important connector C201 tightening steps. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-08-56-003 (Section 08 -- Body and Accessories).


Condition

Some customers may comment on the following conditions. These symptoms may be intermittent.

    • Security lamp illuminates while driving. The Security lamp may be On or Off.
    • Security lamp is illuminated.
    • The engine cranks but will not start and the Security lamp is flashing.
    • The engine starts then stalls and the Security lamp is flashing.

Cause

Condition(s) may be due to an incorrect Vehicle Theft (Passlock™) sensor voltage, (which is intermittent) received by the body control module (BCM) from the Vehicle Theft (Passlock™) sensor due to the following conditions. Most intermittent conditions are caused by faulty electrical connections or wiring.

    • A 7 ohm variation in the sensor ground circuit wiring, circuit 1057
    • A 100 ohm variation in the Passlock™ sensor signal wiring circuit, circuit 1836

Inspect for the following items:

    • Broken wiring inside the insulation.
    • A poor connection between the male and female terminal at the connector. Refer to Testing for Proper Terminal Contact under Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems for the specific procedure.
    • A poor terminal to wire connection. Some conditions that fall under this description are poor crimps, poor solder joints, crimping over the wire insulation instead of the wire itself, and corrosion in the wire to terminal contact area.
    • Wire insulation that is rubbed through. This causes an intermittent short as the bare area touches other wiring or parts of the vehicle.
    •  A poor connection between the male and female terminal at a connector. This poor connection may be the result of contamination or deformation.
      • Contamination may be caused by the connector halves being improperly connected. A missing or damaged connector seal, damage to the connector itself, or exposing the terminals to moisture and dirt can also cause contamination. Contamination, usually in the underhood or underbody connectors, leads to terminal corrosion causing an open circuit or intermittently open circuit.
   - Separate the connector halves.
   - Visually inspect the connector halves for contamination/oxidation. Contamination/oxidation may result in a white or green build-up within the connector body or between terminals. This causes high terminal resistance, intermittent contact, or an open circuit. An underhood or underbody connector that shows signs of contamination should be replaced in its entirety including the terminals, the seals, and the connector body.
      • Deformation is caused by probing the mating side of a connector terminal without the proper adapter, improperly joining the connector halves, or repeatedly separating and joining the connector halves. Deformation, usually to the female terminal contact tang, can result in poor terminal contact causing an open or intermittently open circuit. Using an equivalent male terminal from the J 38125-B , test that the retention force is significantly different between a good terminal and a suspect terminal. Replace the female terminal in question.

Correction

Have any of the following components had service recently?

    • The BCM
    • The ignition lock cylinder case assembly
    • The PCM/VCM

If any of the above components have been replaced, the Vehicle Theft (Passlock™) Reprogramming Seed and Key (10 Minute Re-Learn) procedure must be performed before any diagnostic procedures are performed.

To assist in diagnosis, the following steps are provided.

  1. Does the engine crank but not start? If not, use the Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic information in the Engine Controls sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.
  2. Observe the Security indicator lamp in the lower right corner of the instrument panel when you turn the key to the RUN position. Does the indicator lamp show any of the following conditions?
  3. • Lamp is On for 5 seconds, then goes Off. This is normal operation. The engine should start and run.
    • Lamp is On and does not go Off. A problem is detected but the engine starts. This indicates that the fault occurred when the engine was running.
    • Lamp does not come On. This is abnormal operation. Use the Security Indicator Inoperative diagnostic in the Theft Deterrent sub-section of the applicable Service Manual.
    • Lamp flashes On and Off. This indicates a problem has been detected this key cycle by the Vehicle Theft (Passlock™) system and the engine may not start.

Important: You must diagnose the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) in the order specified in the DTC table shown below. Failure to do so may result in one or more of the following conditions:

   • Extended diagnostic time
   • Incorrect diagnosis
   • Incorrect parts replacement

DTC

Description

MIL Illuminated

U1255

Class 2 Communication Malfunction

--

U1301

Class 2 Data Link High

--

U1016

Lost Communication with Engine Control System

--

B3031

Security System Controller in Learn Mode

Security

B3033

Security System Indicates Tamper

Security

B2958

Security System Sensor Data Circuit High

Security

B2957

Security System Sensor Data Circuit Low

Security

B2960

Security System Sensor Data Incorrect But Valid

Security

B2948

Security System Sensor Power Circuit High

Security

B2947

Security System Sensor Power Circuit Low

Security

(*) BCM DTCs may appear in Passlock™ System DTC list. Record the BCM DTCs before clearing Passlock™ Codes.

If none of the above items are true, proceed with the following steps:

  1. Install seat covers.
  2. Connect the scan tool to the diagnostic link connector (DLC).
  3. Enter scan tool diagnostics.
  4. Select the model year of the vehicle.
  5. Select light truck.
  6. Select F1, (Body)
  7. Select "M" or "L" for Series.
  8. Select F0, Body Control Module.
  9. Select F0, (Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC)).
  10. Select F0, (DTC information).
  11. Select F0, (Current DTC).
  12. Record on the repair order any current DTCs displayed. If none, skip the next step.
  13. Is a current B2960 DTC displayed? If no, the condition is not present with this key cycle. Continue to the next step.
  14. Select Exit.
  15. Select F1, (History DTC).
  16. Are any history DTCs other than B2960 present? If so, diagnose those DTCs first using the appropriate service information, otherwise continue.
  17. Select Exit.
  18. Select Exit.
  19. Select Exit.
  20. Select F1, Data Display.
  21. Select F6, Security.
  22. Cycle the key to the OFF position and wait 20 seconds.
  23. Slowly turn the key to the RUN position. Be careful not to turn the key into the START position.
  24. Observe the following values:
  25. • Passlock™ Data Voltage should be 5.0 volts.
    • Passlock™ State should be Normal.
    • Passlock™ Code should be Open.
  26. Rotate the key to the START position, and observe the following again:
  27. • Passlock™ Data Voltage should be less than 5.0 volts. Passlock™ Data Voltage should remain steady and not fluctuate. The test vehicle used for this diagnostic procedure had a voltage value of 0.92 volts. The vehicle being worked on may be either higher or lower than this value. The key is that it has to be less than 5.0 volts.
    • Passlock™ State should be "Monitor Passlock™".
    • Passlock™ Code should be Valid Code.
  28. If no trouble is found and the customer has experienced one of the symptoms or the code is a history DTC, the most likely cause is the Theft Deterrent (Passlock™) wiring, specifically the wires from the Theft Deterrent (Passlock™) sensor to the BCM.
  29. Caution: This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System. Failure to follow the correct procedure could cause the following conditions:

    1. Air bag deployment
    2. Personal injury
    3. Unnecessary SIR system repairs

  30. In order to avoid the above conditions, observe the following guidelines:
  31. Open the hood.
  32. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  33. Install fender covers.
  34. Install seat covers.
  35. Remove the left sound insulator, if equipped.

  36. Object Number: 317084  Size: SH
  37. Remove the knee bolster trim panel.
  38. 33.1. Disconnect the park brake release lever cable from the park brake assembly.
    33.2. Remove the screws that retain the bolster to the instrument panel.
    33.3. Pull back on the bolster in order to release the two retainers. Remove the bolster.

    Object Number: 563307  Size: LF
  39. Loosen the screw holding C201 together at the connector and separate. C201 is the connector for the steering column wires to the IP wiring harness on the left side of the column about half way down. It is a 48-way connector with a center retaining screw.

  40. Object Number: 306234  Size: SH
  41. Separate the turn signal and multifunction switch harness (2) from the 18-way connector (1). They have a locking tab in the center of each connector that needs to be released.
  42. Important: Use either the correct mating terminal, or electrical tool GM# 12094430, (J 38125-11A) from the J 38125-B Terminal Repair kit. Perform a pull test to determine if the terminals have proper tension. If one is found where the tension is suspect, replace the terminal.

  43. Circuit number 1057, Orange with Black stripe wire, in cavity C4.
  44. Circuit number 812, Red with White stripe wire, in cavity B1.

    Circuit number 1836, Yellow wire, in cavity D3.

  45. On the end of the 18-way connector is the date the ignition switch wiring harness was manufactured. This date is etched in the plastic of the connector. It is displayed as two lines of numbers (ie: GM XXX, XXXX). The bottom row of 4 digits are the 4 digits which must be verified. The following defines the 4 digits:
  46. • Month (1) Alpha Character (J = January, A = April, O = October, N = November, etc.)
    • Day (2) numbers (1-31)
    • Year (1) Number (9 =1999, 0 = 2000)
  47. If the date code is less than N080, (November 08, 2000), solder the terminals to the wires in the following connector cavities of the ignition switch 18-way connector.
  48. • Circuit number 1057, Orange with Black stripe wire, in cavity C4
    • Circuit number 812, Red with White stripe wire, in cavity B1
    • Circuit number 1836, Yellow wire, in cavity D3

    Object Number: 306234  Size: SH

    Important: Connector bolt torque is critical. Tightening the bolt to 7 N·m (61 lb in) may cause the pal nut of the connector to strip. Tightening the bolt less than 4 N·m (35 lb in) may result in an intermittent connection.

  49. Connect the turn signal and multifunction switch harness (2) to the 18-way connector (1). Position C210, together tighten the screw holding the wiring harness connectors together.
  50. Tighten
    Tighten the retaining screw to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

  51. Cycle the steering column tilt from full up to full down a minimum of ten times.
  52. Squeeze the ends of connector C201 together with your fingers, forcing the terminals and connector to properly seat together.
  53. Recheck the retaining screw for connector C201 torque.
  54. Tighten
    Tighten the retaining screw to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

  55. Again, cycle the steering column tilt from full up to full down a minimum of ten times.
  56. Again, squeeze the ends of connector C201 together with your fingers, forcing the terminals and connector to properly seat together.
  57. Recheck the retaining screw for connector C201 torque.
  58. Tighten
    Tighten the retaining screw to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

  59. Again, cycle the steering column tilt from full up to full down a minimum of ten times.
  60. Again, squeeze the ends of connector C201 together with your fingers, forcing the terminals and connector to properly seat together.
  61. Recheck the retaining screw for connector C201 torque.
  62. Tighten
    Tighten the retaining screw to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

  63. Install the knee bolster trim panel to the IP.
  64. • Connect the brake release cable to the park brake assembly.
    • Install the screws that retain the knee bolster trim panel to the instrument panel.

    Tighten

        • Tighten the TORX® screws to 9 N·m (80 lb in).
        • Tighten the hex head screws to 1.9 N·m (17 lb in).
  65. Install the sound insulator panel, if equipped.
  66. Connect the negative battery cable.
  67. Observe the Security indicator lamp when the key is turned to the RUN position. The Security lamp should come On for 5 seconds then go Off. If it doesn't, you must recheck your work.
  68. Observe the SIR lamp. The lamp should be Off.
  69. Remove the fender covers and close the hood.
  70. Remove the seat covers.

Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation

Description

Labor Time

N6626

Wiring and/or Connector Repair - Theft Deterrent

1.0 hr