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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2007 🢒 Solstice 🢒 Body Systems 🢒 Lighting 🢒 Backup Lamps Malfunction

Backup Lamps Malfunction Automatic Transmission

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

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Backup Lamp Relay Control

1

1

1

--

Backup Lamp Voltage Supply

1

1

1

--

Backup Lamp Relay B+ Supply

1

1

--

--

Backup Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

1. Backup Lamps Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The underhood fuse block supplies battery positive voltage to the coil and switch terminals of the backup lamps relay. When the transmission is placed in the REVERSE position, the transmission control module (TCM) sends a message via GMLAN to the body control module (BCM). The message indicates that the gear selector is in the REVERSE position. The BCM grounds the backup lamp relay control circuit which energizes the backup lamps relay. With the relay energized, the switch side contacts close and provide battery voltage to the backup lamps fuse through to the backup lamps. The backup lamps are permanently grounded at G402. With both power and ground the backup lamps illuminate. Once the driver moves the gear selector out of the REVERSE position, a message is sent by the TCM via GMLAN serial data requesting the BCM to remove ground from the backup lamp relay control circuit. This opens the backup lamps relay switch contacts turning OFF the backup lamps.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Lighting Systems Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

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

Circuit/System Testing
  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the backup lamp relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the relay controlled output circuit and ground.
    3. ⇒If the test lamp illuminates, test the relay controlled output circuit for a short to voltage.
  3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil B+ circuit and ground.
    4. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the relay coil B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the relay controlled output circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the backup lamp relay.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit and ground.
    5. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the relay switch B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
  5. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative backup lamp.
  6. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the inoperative backup lamp ground circuit terminal G and ground.
    7. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  7. Connect the harness connector at the inoperative backup lamp.
  8. Connect a 10A fused jumper wire between the relay switch B+ circuit and the relay controlled output circuit. Verify the backup lamps are activated.
    9. ⇒If the backup lamps do not activate, test the relay controlled output circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inoperative backup lamp.
  9. Connect a test lamp between the relay coil B+ circuit and the relay coil control circuit.
  10. Command the backup lamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
    11. ⇒If the test lamp is always ON, test the relay coil control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    ⇒If the test lamp is always OFF, test the relay coil control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  11. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the backup lamp relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Backup Lamp Bulb Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming

Backup Lamps Malfunction Automatic Transmission

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

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Backup Lamp Relay Control

1

1

1

--

Backup Lamp Voltage Supply

1

1

1

--

Backup Lamp Relay B+ Supply

1

1

--

--

Backup Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

1. Backup Lamps Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The underhood fuse block supplies battery positive voltage to the coil and switch terminals of the backup lamps relay. When the transmission is placed in the REVERSE position, the transmission control module (TCM) sends a message via GMLAN to the body control module (BCM). The message indicates that the gear selector is in the REVERSE position. The BCM grounds the backup lamp relay control circuit which energizes the backup lamps relay. With the relay energized, the switch side contacts close and provide battery voltage to the backup lamps fuse through to the backup lamps. The backup lamps are permanently grounded at G402. With both power and ground the backup lamps illuminate. Once the driver moves the gear selector out of the REVERSE position, a message is sent by the TCM via GMLAN serial data requesting the BCM to remove ground from the backup lamp relay control circuit. This opens the backup lamps relay switch contacts turning OFF the backup lamps.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Lighting Systems Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

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

Circuit/System Testing
  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the backup lamp relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the relay controlled output circuit and ground.
    3. ⇒If the test lamp illuminates, test the relay controlled output circuit for a short to voltage.
  3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil B+ circuit and ground.
    4. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the relay coil B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the relay controlled output circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the backup lamp relay.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit and ground.
    5. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the relay switch B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
  5. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative backup lamp.
  6. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the inoperative backup lamp ground circuit terminal G and ground.
    7. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  7. Connect the harness connector at the inoperative backup lamp.
  8. Connect a 10-A fused jumper wire between the relay switch B+ circuit and the relay controlled output circuit. Verify the backup lamps are activated.
    9. ⇒If the backup lamps do not activate, test the relay controlled output circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inoperative backup lamp.
  9. Connect a test lamp between the relay coil B+ circuit and the relay coil control circuit.
  10. Command the backup lamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
    11. ⇒If the test lamp is always ON, test the relay coil control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    ⇒If the test lamp is always OFF, test the relay coil control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  11. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the backup lamp relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Backup Lamp Bulb Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming

Backup Lamps Malfunction Manual Transmission

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

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Backup Lamp Voltage Supply

1

1

1

 

Backup Lamp Switch Voltage Supply

1

1

--

--

Backup Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

1. Backup Lamps Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

Battery voltage is applied to the backup lamp switch when the ignition switch is in the RUN or CRANK positions. When the transmission is placed in the REVERSE position, the backup lamp switch provides battery voltage to the backup lamps. The backup lamps are permanently grounded at G402. With both power and ground the backup lamps illuminate. Once the driver moves the gear selector out of the REVERSE position, the backup lamp switch contacts open and the backup lamps turn OFF.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Lighting Systems Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

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

Circuit/System Testing
  1. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative backup lamp.
  2. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the inoperative backup lamp ground circuit terminal G and ground.
    3. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  3. Connect the harness connector at the inoperative backup lamp.
  4. Ignition OFF, disconnect the backup lamp switch.
  5. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the backup lamp switch voltage supply circuit terminal A and ground.
    6. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, repair the backup lamp switch voltage supply circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. Verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the backup lamp voltage supply circuit terminal B and ground.
    7. ⇒If the test lamp illuminates, repair the backup lamp voltage supply circuit for a short to voltage.
  7. Connect a 10-amp fused jumper between the backup lamp switch voltage supply circuit terminal A and the backup lamp voltage supply circuit terminal B. Verify the backup lamps are activated.
    8. ⇒If the backup lamps do not activate, repair the voltage supply circuit terminal B for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inoperative backup lamp.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the backup lamp switch.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Backup Lamp Switch Replacement
    •  Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement