GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using the diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC B0540: Speedometer Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Vehicle Speed Signal

B0540, P0608

B0540, P0608

B0540, P0608

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Circuit Description

The engine control module (ECM) creates the vehicle speed signal by pulsing the signal circuit to ground at a rate of 4K PPM. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) converts the 4K PPM signal to a speedometer position. The IPC also receives a serial data message from the ECM indicating the vehicle speed. The IPC uses this serial data message for diagnostic purposes.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The IPC receives a serial data message from the ECM indicating that the vehicle speed is greater than 10 km/h (6 mph).
    • The ignition voltage is between 9-18 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The IPC does not detect a 4K PPM signal on the vehicle speed signal circuit.
    • The condition above must be present for a minimum of 5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The IPC stores a DTC B0540 in memory.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The history DTC clears after 100 malfunction free warm-up cycles.
    • The DTC becomes history when the conditions for setting the DTC are no longer present.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Instrument Cluster Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Instrument Cluster 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 ECM. Install a signal generator and instrument panel tester between the vehicle speed signal circuit terminal 82 and ground.
  2. Ignition ON, set the signal generator to generate a speedometer signal. Verify that the vehicle speedometer indicates a reading.
  3. If no speedometer reading is present, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage, a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the IPC.
  4. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the ECM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

Control Module References for the ECM and IPC replacement, setup, and programming