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.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

B+, BCM X2 terminal 2

B2652 00

B2652 00

--

--

I/P Dimming Voltage Reference

B1395 03, B3600 03

B1395 03, B3600 03

--

--

Instrument Panel Lamp Dimming Control

B2652 00

2

3

--

LED Backlighting Dimming Control

B2610 00

4

5

--

Instrument Panel Lamp Dimmer Switch Signal

B3600 03

B3600 03

1

--

Ground - Headlamp Switch

--

1

--

--

1. Headlamps and dimmer switch malfunction

2. Incandescent dimming lamps are inoperative

3. Incandescent dimming lamps are always On

4. LED backlighting is inoperative

5. LED backlighting is always ON

Circuit/System Description

The body control module (BCM) supplies a voltage reference through the instrument panel (I/P) dimming voltage reference circuit to the interior lamp dimmer switch, which is part of the headlamp switch. When the dimmer switch is placed in a desired brightness position, reference voltage is applied through the dimmer switch rheostat and the I/P lamps dimmer switch signal circuit to the BCM. The BCM interprets this voltage signal, then applies a pulse width modulated (PWM) voltage through the instrument panel lamp dimming control circuit and the LED backlighting dimming control circuit illuminating all backlighting lamps.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Interior Lights Dimming Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Interior Lighting Systems 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

Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Dimming Control Signal parameter while operating the dimmer switch from high to low. The reading should change from a high percent to a low percent as the switch is rotated.

If the reading does not change from a high percent to a low percent, refer to the Dimmer Switch Circuit Test.
If the scan tool dimmer control operates normal, refer to the Interior Backlighting Circuit Test.

Circuit/System Testing

Dimmer Switch Circuit Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the headlamp switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ground circuit terminal 8 and B+.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, test for B+ between the voltage reference circuit terminal 15 and ground.
  5. If less than the specified value, test the voltage reference circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Dimming Control Signal parameter is less than 0.2 volts.
  7. If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal 13 for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  8. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 13 and the voltage reference circuit terminal 15. Verify the scan tool Dimming Control Signal parameter is greater than 2.75 volts.
  9. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the headlamp switch.

Interior Backlighting Circuit Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the component with the inoperative backlighting.
  2. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the appropriate ground circuit terminal listed below and B+.
  3. • Headlamp Switch terminal 8
    • Rear Heater Switch terminal B
    • Front Auxiliary HVAC Control Panel terminal B
    • Rear Auxiliary HVAC Control Panel terminal B
    • Tow/haul Switch terminal C
    • SIR Disable Switch terminal F
    • Electronic Traction Control Switch
    • Driver Door Window Switch terminal F
    • Driver Power Lock Switch terminal B
    • Passenger Door Window Switch terminal C
    • Passenger Power Lock Switch terminal B
    • Radio terminal 8 X1
    • Driver Information Display Switch terminal 5
    • Left Steering Wheel Controls terminal 8
    • Right Steering Wheel Controls terminal 1
    If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the appropriate control circuit terminal listed below and ground.
  5. Incandescent Dimming

    • Headlamp Switch terminal 7
    • Tow/haul Switch terminal B
    • Traction Control Switch terminal D
    • HVAC Control Module terminal C
    • Driver Door Window Switch terminal B
    • Driver Power Lock Switch terminal C
    • Auxiliary Blower Motor Switch terminal A
    • Passenger Door Window Switch terminal B
    • Passenger Power Lock Switch terminal C
    • Rear Auxiliary HVAC Control Panel terminal A
    • Front Auxiliary HVAC Control Panel terminal A

    LED Dimming

    • Left Steering Wheel Control Switch terminal 6
    • Right Steering Wheel Control Switch terminal 2
    • Inflatable Restraint I/P Module Disable Switch terminal D
    • Driver Information Center (DIC) Switch terminal 4
    • Radio terminal 7 X1
  6. Ignition ON, command the appropriate Incandescent Dimming or LED Dimming ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  7. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the inoperative backlighting component.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Headlamp Switch Replacement
    •  Front Side Door Window Switch Replacement
    •  Door Lock Switch Replacement
    •  Heater and Air Conditioning Control Replacement
    •  Auxiliary Heater and Air Conditioning Control Replacement - Front
    •  Auxiliary Heater and Air Conditioning Control Replacement - Rear
    •  Steering Wheel Control Switch Assembly Replacement
    •  Driver Information Display Switch Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM, HVAC, IPC, or Radio replacement, setup, and programming