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

STOP/TRN Fuse B+

1

1

--

--

Brake Pedal Position Sensor 10-Volt Reference

C0283, C0870

C0277

C0277

--

Brake Pedal Position Sensor Signal

C0283

C0277

C0277

--

Brake Pedal Position Sensor Low Reference

--

C0277

1

--

Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Control

B3445

2

2

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Control

B3950

B3950

1

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Control

B3951

B3951

1

--

Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Ground

--

2

--

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Ground

--

1

--

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Ground

--

1

--

--

1. Stop Lamps Malfunction

2. Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The brake pedal position sensor is used to sense the action of the driver application of the brake pedal. The brake pedal position sensor provides an analog voltage signal that will increase as the brake pedal is applied. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference signal and a 10-volt reference voltage to the brake pedal position sensor. When the variable signal reaches a voltage threshold indicating the brakes have been applied, the BCM will apply battery voltage to the stop lamps, transmission control module (TCM), engine control module (ECM), electronic brake control module (EBCM), and center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL).

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Exterior 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, observe the scan tool BPPS Status parameter as you apply and unapply the brake pedal. The reading should cycle between NO and YES as the brake pedal is applied and released.
  2. If the reading does not change as the brake pedal is applied and released, refer to Brake Pedal Position Sensor (BPPS) Malfunction.
  3. With a scan tool, command the LR Stop/Turn Signal Lamp ON and OFF. The LR turn signal should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  4. If the LR turn signal does not illuminate when commanded, refer to Stop Lamps Malfunction.
  5. With a scan tool, command the RR Stop/Turn Signal Lamp ON and OFF. The RR turn signal should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  6. If the RR turn signal does not illuminate when commanded, refer to Stop Lamps Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Stop Lamps Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the BCM.
  2. Ignition ON, test for B+ between the B+ circuit terminal 46 and ground.
  3. If the less than the specified range, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition OFF, reconnect the X1 harness connector at the BCM.
  5. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative stop lamp.
  6. Ignition OFF, exterior lamps OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.
  7. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  8. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal A and ground.
  9. Ignition ON, command the appropriate Stop/Turn Signal Lamp ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  10. 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.
  11. If all circuits test normal, replace the inoperative tail lamp assembly.

Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the CHMSL.
  2. ignition OFF, exterior lamps OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms 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. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal A and the ground circuit terminal B.
  5. Ignition ON, command the stop lamps ON and OFF by applying and releasing the brake pedal. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  6. 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.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the CHMSL.

Brake Pedal Position Sensor (BPPS) Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the BPPS.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the low reference circuit terminal C and ground.
  3. If the test lamp illuminates, test the low reference circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  4. Ignition ON, test for 9.8 volts and 10.2 volts between the 10-volt reference circuit terminal A and ground.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the10-volt reference circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If greater than the specified range, test the 10-volt reference circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. If all circuits test normal, replace the BPPS.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  High Mount Stop Lamp Replacement
    •  Tail Lamp Replacement
    •  Brake Pedal Position Sensor Replacement
    •  Brake Pedal Position Sensor Calibration
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming