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

I/P Dimmer Switch Signal

1

1

1

--

Indicator Dimming Control

B2625 02

2

2

--

Park Lamp Control

2

2

2

--

I/P Dimmer Switch Low Reference

--

1

--

--

I/P Dimmer Switch Ground

--

2

--

--

1. Dimmer Switch Malfunction

2. Interior Backlighting Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

When the headlamp switch is placed in either the HEAD or PARK position, ground is applied to the park lamp signal circuit to the body control module (BCM). The BCM responds by applying ground to the park lamp relay control circuit. This energizes the park lamp relay coil causing the relay switch contacts to close allowing battery voltage to flow to all of the park, tail, license, marker lamps, interior ambient lighting, and to the BCM. The BCM receives the voltage from the park lamp relay indicating the park lamps are ON. The BCM uses this signal to command the interior backlighting ON and OFF. The instrument panel (I/P) lamp dimmer switch is used to increase and decrease the brightness of the interior backlighting components. The I/P dimmer switch provides a voltage signal that will increase as the brightness of the lights are increased and decrease as the brightness of the lights are decreased. The body control module (BCM) provides a B+ voltage signal and a low reference to the I/P dimmer switch. When the I/P dimmer switch is placed in the desired position, the dimmed voltage setting is applied from the I/P dimmer switch through the I/P dimmer switch signal circuit to the BCM. The BCM interprets the signal and applies the dimmed voltage to the indicator dimming control circuit and the interior backlighting components dim to the requested level.

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

  1. Ignition ON, command the Parking Lamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The park lamps should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  2. If the park lamps do not turn ON and OFF when commanded, refer to Park, License, and/or Tail Lamps Malfunction.
  3. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool IP Dimmer Switch parameter while operating the dimmer switch from high to low. The voltage parameter should change as the switch is activated.
  4. If the parameter does not change, refer to I/P Dimmer Switch Malfunction.
  5. Park lamps ON, command the Interior Dimming control ON and OFF with a scan tool. The interior backlighting should illuminate from high to low for all components controlled by the indicator dimming control circuit.
  6. If the backlighting does not operate as described, refer to Interior Backlighting Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

I/P Dimmer Switch Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the I/P Dimmer switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, scan tool OFF, doors CLOSED, test for less than 10 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  4. Ignition ON, park lamps ON, test for B+ between the signal circuit terminal C and ground.
  5. If less than the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal C and the low reference circuit terminal B. Verify the scan tool dimming control signal parameter is less than B+.
  7. If greater than the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the I/P dimmer switch.

Interior Backlighting Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the component with the inoperative backlighting.
  2. Ignition OFF, scan tool OFF, interior lamps OFF, doors CLOSED, test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit and ground.
  5. Park lamps ON, command the Interior Dimming ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  6. 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
    If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the component with the inoperative backlighting.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Door Lock Switch Replacement
    •  Front Side Door Window Switch Replacement
    •  Fog Lamp Switch Replacement
    •  Hazard Warning Switch Replacement
    •  Transmission Floor Shift Control Indicator Lamp Replacement
    •  Rear Window Wiper and Washer Switch Replacement
    •  Front Floor Console Flood Lamp Replacement
    •  Turbocharger Pressure Power Indicator Replacement
    •  Power Mirror Switch Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM, HVAC control module, or Radio replacement, setup, and programming