GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Backup Lamps Inoperative RPO M74, MX4, and MTW

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. Listen for an audible click when the reverse relay operates. Repeat as necessary.

  2. Tests for voltage at the control side of the reverse relay.

  3. Verifies that the control module is providing ground to the reverse relay.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Block the wheels and set the parking brake.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Place the gear selector in and out of the reverse position.

Do the backup lamps operate properly?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Move the gear selector in and out of the reverse gear position.

Does the reverse lamp relay turn ON and OFF with the gear selector position?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the reverse relay. Refer to Relay Replacement .
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Probe the reverse relay control side supply voltage circuit with a test lamp that is connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 14

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the reverse relay control side supply voltage circuit and the reverse lamp relay control circuit.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Move the gear selector in and out of reverse gear position.

Does the test lamp turn ON and OFF in with the gear selector position?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 9

6

Probe the reverse relay switch side supply voltage circuit with a test lamp that is connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 15

7

Connect a 15-amp fused jumper between the reverse relay switch side supply voltage circuit and the backup lamp supply voltage circuit.

Do both of the backup lamps illuminate?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the inoperative backup lamp bulb.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the backup lamp supply voltage circuit and the backup lamp ground circuit.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

9

Test the reverse lamp relay control circuit for an open or a short to battery positive voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 13

10

Test the backup lamp supply voltage circuit for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 16

11

Inspect for poor connections at the backup lamp bulb. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 18

12

Inspect for poor connections at the reverse relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 17

13

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the transmission control module (TCM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 19

14

Repair the open circuit in the reverse relay control side supply voltage circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

15

Repair the open circuit in the reverse relay switch side supply voltage circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

16

Repair the open circuit in the backup lamp ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

17

Replace the reverse relay. Refer to Relay Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 20

--

18

Replace the backup lamp bulb.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 20

--

19

Replace the TCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 20

--

20

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2

Backup Lamps Inoperative RPO MWF, MWW, and MWX

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Block the wheels and set the parking brake.
  2. Engine ON.
  3. Place the gear selector in and out of the reverse position.

Do the backup lamps operate properly?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the backup lamp switch or the neutral start backup switch.
  3. Engine ON.
  4. Probe the ignition positive voltage circuit of the appropriate switch connector with a test lamp that is connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 9

4

Connect a 15-amp fused jumper wire between the ignition positive voltage circuit of the backup lamp switch or the neutral start backup switch and the backup lamp supply voltage circuit of the backup lamp switch or the neutral start backup switch.

Do both of the backup lamps illuminate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the inoperative backup lamp bulb.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the backup lamp supply voltage circuit and the backup lamp ground circuit.
  4. Engine ON.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Test the backup lamp supply voltage circuit for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

7

Inspect for poor connections at the backup lamp bulb. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

8

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

9

Repair the following in the ignition positive voltage circuit of the appropriate switch:

    • An open
    • A high resistance
    • A short to ground

Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 13

--

10

Repair the open circuit in the backup lamp ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 13

--

11

Replace the inoperative backup lamp switch. Refer to Park/Neutral Position and Backup Lamp Switch Replacement or Backup Lamp Switch Replacement.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the backup lamp bulb.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

--

13

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2