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 Descriptor

DTC B0608: Vehicle Speed Output Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Vehicle Speed Signal

P0608

1

P0608

P0608

1. Speedometer Inaccurate or Inoperative.

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) creates the vehicle speed output signal by pulsing the circuit to ground at a rate of 4KPPM. The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) input is pulled high to B+ in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). The IPC converts the 4KPPM vehicle speed signal to a speedometer position to indicate the vehicle speed. The ECM monitors the voltage at the vehicle speed output signal circuit to determine when the voltage is out of the normal operating range.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine speed is more than 400 RPM.
    • The ignition voltage is between 9-18 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The ECM detects that the commanded state of the driver and the actual state of the signal circuit do not match.
    • The above condition must be present for a minimum of 5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The ECM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The ECM displays the failure information in the Failure Records on the scan tool.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The DTC becomes history when the conditions for setting the DTC are no longer present.
    • The history DTC clears after 40 malfunction-free warm-up cycles.

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 Verification

Start the engine with the scan tool installed, the vehicle drive wheels raised and the transmission placed in drive or the first gear. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle. Verify that the speedometer display matches the scan tool Vehicle Speed parameter in the ECM Engine Data List.

Circuit/System Testing

Important: The drive wheels of the vehicle must be raised and the transmission must be placed in drive or first gear. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the radio.
  2. Start the engine, with the drive wheels raised and the vehicle placed in drive or the first gear. Verify that the speedometer value does not match the scan tool Vehicle Speed parameter in the ECM Engine Data List.
  3. If the speedometer matches the scan tool Vehicle Speed parameter, test the vehicle speed signal circuit terminal D for a short to voltage, a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If circuit tests normal, replace the radio.
  4. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the head-up display (HUD).
  5. Start the engine, with the drive wheels raised and the vehicle placed in drive or the first gear. Verify that the speedometer value does not match the scan tool Vehicle Speed parameter in the ECM Engine Data List.
  6. If the speedometer matches the scan tool Vehicle Speed parameter, test the vehicle speed signal circuit terminal 3 for a short to voltage, a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If circuit tests normal, replace the HUD.
  7. Ignition OFF disconnect the X1 harness connector at the engine control module.
  8. Ignition ON, test for 9-11 volts between the vehicle speed signal circuit terminal 57 and ground.
  9. If less than 9 volts, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the IPC.
    If greater than 11 volts, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the IPC.
  10. 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, IPC, HUD and radio replacement, setup and programming