GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The electronic brake control module (EBCM) receives several inputs from the steering wheel position sensor. Three digital square wave signal inputs are wired directly to the EBCM harness connector, however, only signals A and B are used or monitored. The failure of the index pulse signal does not effect vehicle stability enhancement system (VSES) function. The EBCM also receives an analog steering wheel position input on the steering wheel position sensor signal 1 circuit. Ignition voltage is supplied to the digital portion of the steering wheel position sensor. The analog portion of the steering wheel position sensor is supplied a 5-volt reference from the EBCM.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC C0455 Front Steering Position Sensor Circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • The VSES sensors have been successfully initialized. Refer to ABS Description and Operation for a complete explanation of VSES sensor initialization.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

Any of the following conditions may cause the DTC to set:

    • The analog steering wheel position signal does not correlate with the digital steering wheel position signals.
    • When driven forward in a straight line, the centered steering angle differs by more than 30 degrees from the centered steering angle when the sensors are initialized.
    • The EBCM detects an erratic signal from steering wheel position signal A or signal B.
    • The EBCM detects an open or shorted steering wheel position analog signal.
    • The EBCM detects an erratic steering wheel position analog signal.
    • The EBCM detects an open or shorted steering wheel position signal A or signal B, after having received a valid signal during the same ignition.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The EBCM disables the VSES.
    • The stability system caution indicator is illuminated.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

The condition for setting the DTC is no longer present and you use the scan tool Clear DTCs function.

Diagnostic Aids

    • DTC C0455 may be falsely set if you did not turn OFF the ignition for 5 seconds after clearing DTCs from the EBCM. This is why all diagnostic tables which apply to this system always instruct you to turn OFF the ignition for 5 seconds after clearing DTCs. If this DTC has set after you cleared DTCs from the EBCM or used the scan tool to clear all DTCs from all modules and you did not cycle the ignition afterward, it is likely that no actual malfunction exists.
    • Whenever any one of the steering signals to the EBCM is lost, the scan tool displays a fixed steering wheel position, which indicates the last known steering wheel position. This can aid you in diagnosing an intermittent malfunction.
    • If the DTC does not reset during step 2 or 3 of the diagnostic procedure, the stability system not ready indicator may be displayed due to an unsuccessful initialization. This occurs if the EBCM does not receive any signal from one or both of the digital inputs during the entire ignition cycle. If this occurs, refer to Stability System Not Ready Indicator Always On for further diagnosis.
    • Inspect the vehicle for proper wheel alignment. Ensure the vehicle does not pull toward the left or right while driving straight forward on a level surface.
    • Communicate with the customer to determine the conditions under which the instrument panel cluster (IPC) illuminates the stability system caution indicator. Learning the conditions under which the DTC sets may help you duplicate the failure.
    • Use the Snapshot function on the scan tool in order to assist you in locating an intermittent malfunction.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. If the DTC sets without turning the steering wheel or driving the vehicle, a malfunction exists in the analog steering wheel position signal to the EBCM.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Antilock Brake System Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Antilock Brake System Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Important: Center the steering wheel before proceeding with this step. Do not rotate the steering wheel while performing this step.

  1. Use the scan tool to clear the DTCs.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 5 seconds.
  3. Turn ON the ignition.
  4. Wait approximately 5 seconds to verify whether or not the DTC sets.

Does the DTC set?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 10

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the steering wheel position sensor harness connector.
  3. Turn ON the ignition.
  4. Select the vehicle stability enhancement system (VSES) Data Display on the scan tool.
  5. Observe the Analog SWPS Signal parameter on the scan tool.

Does the scan tool indicate that the steering wheel position sensor data parameter is less than specified value?

0.15 V

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 9

4

  1. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the steering wheel position 5-volt reference circuit and the analog steering signal circuit.
  2. Observe the Analog SWPS Signal parameter on the scan tool.

Does the scan tool indicate that the steering wheel position sensor data parameter is greater than specified value?

4.75 V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

Use a DMM to measure the voltage between the steering wheel position 5-volt reference circuit and the steering wheel position low reference circuit.

Does the voltage measure greater than the specified value?

4.75 V

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 8

6

Test the 5-volt reference circuit of the steering wheel position sensor for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 7

7

Test the signal circuit of the steering wheel position sensor for an open or a short to ground. Refer to Testing for Short to Ground and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 16

8

Test the low reference circuit of the steering wheel position sensor for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 16

9

Test the signal circuit of the steering wheel position sensor for a short to voltage. Refer to Testing for Short to Ground and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 16

10

Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC set?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Diagnostic Aids

11

  1. Select the VSES Data Display on the scan tool.
  2. Center the steering wheel and verify that the front wheels are straight ahead.
  3. Observe the Analog SWPS Signal parameter.

Does the scan tool display an Analog SWPS Signal within the specified range?

2.3-2.7 V

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 17

12

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the steering wheel position sensor harness connector. Refer to Steering Wheel Position Sensor or Steering Shaft Lower Bearing Replacement .
  3. Disconnect the electronic brake control module (EBCM) harness connector. Refer to Control Module References .
  4. Turn ON the ignition.
  5. Test the steering wheel position circuits, signal A and signal B for the following conditions:
  6. • Intermittently open
    • Intermittently shorted to ground
    • Intermittently shorted together
    • Intermittently shorted to voltage

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 13

13

Test the battery positive voltage circuit to the steering wheel position sensor for an intermittent open. Refer to Testing for Electrical Intermittents and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 14

14

Test both of the steering wheel position sensor ground circuits for an intermittent open. Refer to Testing for Electrical Intermittents and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 15

15

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the steering wheel position sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 17

16

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the EBCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 18

17

Replace the steering wheel position sensor. Refer to Steering Wheel Position Sensor or Steering Shaft Lower Bearing Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 19

--

18

Important: Following EBCM replacement, perform the setup procedure for the EBCM and perform the Yaw Rate Reference Table Reset Procedure. Use the scan tool to perform the Tire Size Calibration procedure.

Replace the EBCM. Refer to Control Module References .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 19

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19

  1. Use the scan tool Clear All Class 2 DTCs function to clear all of the DTCs from all modules.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 5 seconds.
  3. Turn ON the ignition.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK