GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Lighting Systems Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Place the headlamp switch in the PARK or HEADLAMP position.

Do the park lamps illuminate?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Place the headlamp switch in the OFF position.
  2. Disconnect the tail lamp relay.
  3. Probe the tail lamp relay switch side voltage input circuit with a test lamp that is connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 12

4

Connect a fused jumper wire between the tail lamp relay switch side voltage input circuit and switch side voltage output circuit.

Do the park lamps illuminate?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 5

5

Does the fuse in the jumper wire open?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 14

6

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

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 15

7

  1. Connect a test lamp between the tail lamp relay coil side voltage supply circuit and the coil side control circuit.
  2. Place the headlamp switch in the PARK or HEADLAMP position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Place the headlamp switch in the OFF position.
  2. Disconnect the headlamp switch.
  3. Connect a fused jumper wire between the tail lamp relay coil side voltage supply circuit and the coil side control circuit.
  4. Probe the tail lamp relay coil side control circuit at the headlamp connector with a test lamp that is connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 16

9

Connect a test lamp between the tail lamp relay coil side control circuit and the ground circuit at the headlamp switch connector.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 17

10

Inspect for poor connections at the tail lamp 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 18

11

Inspect for poor connections at the headlamp switch. 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

12

Repair an open or short to ground in the tail lamp relay switch side voltage supply circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

13

Repair a short to ground in the park lamps voltage supply circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

14

Repair an open in the park lamps voltage supply circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

15

Repair an open in the tail lamp relay coil side voltage supply circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

16

Repair an open in the tail lamp relay coil side control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

17

Repair an open in the headlamp switch ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

18

Replace the tail lamp relay. Refer to Relay Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 20

--

19

Replace the headlamp switch. Refer to Headlamp Switch Replacement .

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 3