GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2008 🢒 G6 🢒 Safety and Security 🢒 Supplemental Inflatable Restraints 🢒 DTC 036

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 provide an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC 036 : Communication Fault

Circuit/System Description

The inflatable restraint Passenger Presence System (PPS) continuously monitors itself for critical faults. If the PPS determines that there is a communication fault or battery voltage has fallen below a threshold causing a communication fault, the PPS will set DTC 036, illuminate the passenger air bag status OFF indicator. Then the PPS will try to communicate with the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) through a non GMLAN communications circuit that a PPS fault is present. The SDM will then turn the air bag indicator to ON, and set DTC B0081 indicating a problem within the PPS and will suppress the deployment of the instrument panel (I/P) module.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The PPS has lost communications with the SDM.
    • The PPS receives incorrect messages.
    • The SDM has lost or receives no communications with the PPS.
    • Battery voltage is outside the range of 8-18 volts.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The PPS will set a DTC 036, and then communicate with the SDM via non GMLAN circuit.
    • The PPS will also set DTC 056 indicating a PPS internal system fault has occurred until the re-zeroing procedure was performed.
    • The SDM will set DTC B0081.
    • The SDM disables the I/P module deployment loop.
    • The PPS will illuminate the passenger air bag status OFF indicator.
    • The SDM requests the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to illuminate the AIR BAG indicator.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC
    • The condition responsible for setting the DTC no longer exists and the scan tool Clear DTCs function is used.
    • A history DTC will clear once 255 malfunction-free ignition cycles have occurred.

Diagnostic Aids

This fault indicates that there is either a communication or battery voltage problem.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

SIR Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

SIR System 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

Circuit/System Testing
  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the PPS module.
  2. Inspect the component and harness side of the in-line connectors for the PPS. Verify no damage or corrosion exists.
    3. ⇒If damage and corrosion exists on the PPS connector, replace the PPS.
    ⇒If damage and corrosion exists on the wiring harness connector, replace the harness.
  3. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the SDM module.

    4. Refer to SDM replacement in repair instructions for connector location.

  4. Inspect the component and harness side of the in-line connectors for the SDM. Verify no damage or corrosion exists.
    5. ⇒If damage and corrosion exists on the SDM connector, replace the SDM.
    ⇒If damage and corrosion exists on the wiring harness connector, replace the harness.
  5. Ignition OFF, reconnect the harness connector at the SDM.
  6. Ignition OFF, test for greater than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the passenger presence system signal circuit terminal B and ground.
    7. ⇒If not within the specified range, test the passenger presence system signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the SDM.
  7. Ignition ON, test for less than 1.0 volt between the passenger presence system signal circuit terminal B and ground
    8. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the passenger presence system signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the SDM.
  8. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the SDM. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance along the passenger presence system signal circuit terminal B to terminal 60.
    9. ⇒If not within the specified value, repair the passenger presence system signal circuit for an open/high resistance.
  9. If all circuits test normal, replace the PPS.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  SIR/SRS Wiring Repairs
    •  Control Module References for SDM and PPS replacement, setup, and programming