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

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Ignition 1 Voltage

1

1*

1

--

Passenger Air Bag OFF Indicator Control

4

2*

2

--

Passenger Air Bag ON Indicator Control

5

3*

3

--

1. No indicators will illuminate.

2. The OFF indicator will not illuminate.

3. The ON indicator will not illuminate.

4. The OFF indictor will illuminate any time the ignition is ON.

5. The ON indictor will illuminate any time the ignition is ON.

* High resistance may cause any or all indicators to illuminate less bright than normal.

Circuit/System Description

The passenger air bag ON/OFF indicators are used to notify the driver when the passenger presence system (PPS) has enabled or disabled the I/P inflator module. When the ignition is turned ON, the ignition voltage is supplied to the passenger air bag ON/OFF indicators in the inside rearview mirror (ISRVM) and to the PPS module. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) grounds all indicator control circuits to the passenger air bag ON/OFF indicators for illumination. The IPC receives serial data messages from the supplemental inflatable restraints system to illuminate the indicators as necessary.

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 for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

    Important: The passenger air bag ON and OFF indicators may not operate as expected if there are supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) DTCs. Repair all SIR DTC before proceeding with this diagnostic.

  1. Ignition ON, the passenger air bag ON and OFF indicators should both illuminate for approximately 5 seconds for a bulb check.
  2. Monitor the parameter Passenger Classification in Passenger Presence System with a scan tool. With the passenger seat unoccupied, the parameter should display Empty Seat. The passenger air bag OFF indicator should illuminate.
  3. Apply enough weight on the passenger seat to change the parameter display to Small. The passenger air bag OFF indicator should remain illuminated.
  4. Apply additional weight to change the parameter display to Large. The passenger air bag indicator should switch from OFF to ON within 5 seconds.

Circuit/System Testing

Important: When removing connectors inspect for damage or corrosion. Damage or corrosion in the following requires repair or replacement of the affected.

   • ISRVM.
   • ISRVM wiring harness.

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the ISRVM.
  2. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 13 and ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the ignition circuit fuse is open, replace the ISRVM.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the ignition circuit terminal 13 and the control circuit terminal 4.
  5. With the passenger seat unoccupied, then occupied the test lamp should switch states within 5 seconds.
  6. If the test lamp is always on, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal replace the IPC.
    If the test lamp is always off, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the IPC.
  7. Connect a test lamp between the ignition circuit terminal 13 and the control circuit terminal 3.
  8. With the passenger seat unoccupied, then occupied the test lamp should switch states within 5 seconds.
  9. If the test lamp is always on, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal replace the IPC.
    If the test lamp is always off, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the IPC.
  10. If all circuits test normal, replace the ISRVM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Inside Rearview Mirror Replacement
    •  SIR/SRS Wiring Repairs
    •  Control Module References instrument panel cluster (IPC) replacement, setup, and programming