GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is located on the instrument panel cluster. The MIL will illuminate when there is an emission related failure or the ignition is ON with the engine OFF. Ignition 1 voltage is supplied to the MIL. The engine control module (ECM) turns the MIL ON by grounding the control circuit of the MIL using a low side driver. The ECM monitors the voltage level on the control circuit of the MIL. If the ECM detects an open or short to ground on the control circuit of the MIL, DTC P0650 sets.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0650 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Control Circuit Low Voltage

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON or the engine is running.
    • The ignition 1 voltage is more than 10 volts.
    • DTC P0650 runs continuously once the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM detects an open or short to ground on the control circuit of the MIL for greater than 24 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module stores the DTC information into memory when the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Failure Records.
    • The driver information center, if equipped, may display a message.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • A current DTC Last Test Failed clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other non-emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the DTC with a scan tool.

Test Description

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

  1. This step tests the control circuit for a short to ground.

  2. This step tests the control circuit for an open.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Controls Connector End Views or Engine Control Module Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Install the scan tool.
  3. Command the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ON and OFF.

Does the MIL turn ON and OFF when commanded?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Clear the DTC with a scan tool.
  3. Wait 30 seconds.

Does DTC P0650 set?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Intermittent Conditions

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the engine control module (ECM).
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the MIL illuminate?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect a 3-ampere fuse jumper wire from the control circuit of the MIL at the ECM harness connector terminal to a good ground.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the MIL illuminate?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

Did the fuse open?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7

Repair the short to voltage in the MIL control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 13

--

8

Test for a faulty bulb or poor connections at the IPC. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Repairing Connector Terminals in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

9

Test for poor connections at the engine control module (ECM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Repairing Connector Terminals in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

10

Test the control circuit of the MIL for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

11

Replace the IPC. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages and Console.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 14

14

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK