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For 1990-2009 cars only

Exhaust Brake Indicator Lamp Inoperative with RPO LLY

Diagnostic Fault Information

Always perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/System Description

Ground is supplied to the exhaust brake indicator lamp. The engine control module (ECM) turns the lamp ON by supplying power to the lamp supply circuit.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Exhaust Brake Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Engine Control Module Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

The exhaust brake lamp should turn ON when the exhaust brake is active, and turn OFF when the exhaust brake is not active.

Circuit/System Testing

Disconnect the ECM and jumper the exhaust brake lamp voltage circuit to voltage through a fused jumper.

If the jumper fuse opens, repair the short to ground in the voltage supply circuit.
If the lamp illuminates, replace the ECM.
If the lamp does not illuminate, test the voltage and ground circuits of the exhaust brake indicator lamp for an open, or a faulty indicator bulb.

Repair Instructions

Important: Always perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

Control Module References for ECM and instrument panel cluster (IPC) replacement, setup, and programming

Exhaust Brake Indicator Lamp Inoperative without RPO LLY

Circuit Description

The exhaust brake system is used to provide additional braking when the vehicle is decelerating. The engine control module (ECM) controls exhaust brake operation based on various sensor inputs. The ECM energizes the exhaust brake relay for exhaust brake operation. On vehicles with an antilock brake system (ABS), the electronic brake control module (EBCM) controls the exhaust brake relay ground circuit to prevent exhaust brake operation when the ABS is active.

The ECM energizes the telltale lamp on the driver information center (DIC). The exhaust brake relay energizes the exhaust brake actuator control solenoid (EBACS) valve. The EBACS valve allows compressed air from the auxiliary air system to move the exhaust brake actuator, rotating the exhaust brake to the closed position. When the air is released, a spring in the actuator returns the exhaust brake to the open position.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Exhaust Brake Schematics

1

Drive the vehicle and engage the exhaust brake under normal exhaust brake operating conditions.

Does the exhaust brake engage when commanded ON during normal operation?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Exhaust Brake Inoperative

2

Does the exhaust brake indicator illuminate during exhaust brake operation?

--

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the engine control module (ECM).
  3. Probe the exhaust brake telltale indicator lamp request circuit at the ECM harness connector with a 3-amp fused jumper wire connected to battery voltage. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Does the exhaust brake telltale lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Ensure that the jumper wire remains connected.
  2. Disconnect the telltale circuit board connector. Refer to Engine Exhaust Brake Component Views .
  3. Probe the exhaust brake telltale lamp request circuit at the exhaust brake indicator lamp circuit board connector with a DMM connected to a good ground. Refer to Probing Electrical Connectors .

Is the voltage displayed on the DMM more than the specified value?

10 V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

  1. Remove the jumper wire from the ECM connector.
  2. Ensure that the ECM and the telltale circuit board remain disconnected.
  3. Measure the resistance of the exhaust brake telltale indicator lamp request circuit with a DMM. Refer to Circuit Testing .

Is the resistance displayed on the DMM more than the specified value?

5 ohms

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 8

6

Test the exhaust brake telltale indicator lamp request circuit for an open, high resistance, or a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 7

7

Test the exhaust brake telltale indicator lamp ground circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 8

8

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the telltale circuit board. 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

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the ECM. 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

10

Repair the high resistance in the exhaust brake telltale indicator lamp request circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 13

--

11

Replace the telltale circuit board. Refer to Telltale Circuit Board Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

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

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