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

Rear End Release Relay Switch B+

2

2

--

--

Liftgate Release Switch Signal

B2730 00

1

1

--

Rear End Release Relay Coil Control

--

2

2

--

Rear End Release Relay Coil Control

B3265 00

2

2

--

Liftgate Latch Control

--

2

2

--

Liftgate Latch Ground

--

2

2

--

Liftgate Release Switch Ground

--

1

1

--

1. Liftgate Release Switch Malfunction

2. Liftgate Release Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The liftgate switch is an input to the body control module (BCM). The BCM supplies battery voltage to the signal circuit and when the liftgate switch is activated the signal circuit voltage goes low. The BCM controls the liftgate latch assembly through the liftgate Rear End Release relay. When the liftgate switch signal is activated, the BCM enables the Rear End Release relay by applying battery voltage to the liftgate relay circuit and the relay is energized when the BCM grounds the Rear End Release relay control circuit. When the relay is energized battery voltage is supplied to the liftgate latch assembly through the liftgate latch control circuit.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Release Systems Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Rear Hatch/Gate 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, observe the scan tool Trunk Switch parameter while pressing and releasing the liftgate release switch. The parameter should change between Active and Inactive.
  2. If the value does not change, refer to Liftgate Release Switch Malfunction.
  3. Command the liftgate to release by pressing the liftgate release switch. The liftgate latch should release the liftgate.
  4. If the liftgate latch does not release the liftgate, refer to Liftgate Latch Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Liftgate Release Switch Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the liftgate release switch.
  2. Test for less than 1.0 ohm between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Trunk Switch parameter is Inactive.
  5. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the scan tool Trunk Switch parameter is Active.
  7. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the liftgate release switch.

Liftgate Latch Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the Rear End Release relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal 87 and ground.
  3. If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the control circuit terminal 87 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the Rear End Release relay.
  6. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the liftgate latch.
  7. Test for less than 1.0 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 4 and ground
  8. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  9. Connect the harness connector at the liftgate latch.
  10. Ignition ON, connect a 10A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and the control circuit terminal 87. Verify the liftgate latch is activated.
  11. If the liftgate latch does not activate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the liftgate latch.
  12. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 86 and ground.
  13. Command the liftgate latch to release by pressing and releasing the liftgate release switch. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  14. 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.
  15. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 85 and B+.
  16. Command the liftgate latch to release by pressing and releasing the liftgate release switch. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  17. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  18. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the Rear End Release relay.

Component Testing

Liftgate Latch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the liftgate latch.
  2. Install a 10A fused jumper wire between the control terminal 2 and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between the ground terminal 4 and ground. Verify the liftgate latch activates.
  3. If the latch does not perform as specified, replace the liftgate latch.

Liftgate Release Switch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the liftgate release switch.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between the signal terminal A and the ground terminal B with the switch in the open position.
  3. If not the specified value, replace the liftgate exterior switch.
  4. Test for less than 2.0 ohms between the signal terminal A and the ground terminal B with the switch in the closed position.
  5. If greater than the specified range, replace the liftgate exterior switch.

Relay Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the Rear End Release relay.
  2. Test for 60-200 ohms between terminals 85 and 86.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the relay.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
  5. • 30 and 86
    • 30 and 87
    • 30 and 85
    • 85 and 87
    If not the specified value, replace the relay.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and 12V. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 ohms between terminals 30 and 87.
  7. If greater than the specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup and programming