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.

DTC Descriptors

DTC B2645 02: Ambient Light Sensor Circuit Short to Ground

DTC B2645 05: Ambient Light Sensor Circuit Short to Battery or Open

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

DRL Ambient Light Sensor Signal

B2645 02

B2645 05

B2645 05

--

DRL Ambient Light Sensor Low Reference

--

1

1

--

Left Front Turn Signal Lamp Supply Voltage

3948 02

3948 05

3948 05

--

Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Supply Voltage

3949 02

3949 05

3949 05

--

Left Front Turn Signal Lamp Ground

--

2

2

--

Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Ground

--

2

2

--

1. Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Inoperative

2. Turn Signal Lamps and/or Indicators Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The ambient light sensor is used to monitor outside lighting conditions. The ambient light sensor provides a voltage signal that will vary between .2 and 4.9 volts depending on outside lighting conditions. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference ground and a 5-volt reference signal to the ambient light sensor. The BCM monitors the ambient light sensor signal circuit to determine if outside lighting conditions are correct for either daytime running lights (DRL) or automatic lamp control (ALC) when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. In high outside light conditions, the BCM will command the DRLs ON. In low light conditions, when the headlamps switch is in AUTO position, the BCM will command the low beam headlamps ON.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Battery voltage must be between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • DTC B2645 02 will set when the BCM detects a short to ground in the DRL ambient light sensor signal circuit.
    • DTC B2645 05 will set when the BCM detects an open or short to voltage in the DRL ambient light sensor signal circuit.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

When DTC B2645 02 or B2645 05 is present, the ALC will default to ON.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The condition responsible for setting the DTC no longer exists.
    • You issue a scan tool CLEAR DTCs command.
    • A history DTC will clear once 100 consecutive malfunction-free ignition cycles have occurred.

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 harness connector at the ambient light sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool ambient light sensor parameter is between 1-5 volts.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. If all circuits test normal, replace the ambient light sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Ambient Light Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming

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.

DTC Descriptors

DTC B2645 02: Ambient Light Sensor Circuit Short to Ground

DTC B2645 05: Ambient Light Sensor Circuit Short to Battery or Open

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

DRL Relay Control

1

1

1

--

DRL Ambient Light Sensor Signal

B2645 02

B2645 05

B2645 05

--

DRL Ambient Light Sensor Low Reference

--

1

1

--

Headlamp - Low Beam Voltage Supply - Right

2

2

2

--

Headlamp - Low Beam Voltage Supply - Left

2

2

2

--

Headlamp - Low Beam Ground - Right

--

2

2

--

Headlamp - Low Beam ground - Left

--

2

2

--

1. Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Inoperative

2. Headlamps Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The ambient light sensor is used to monitor outside lighting conditions. The ambient light sensor provides a voltage signal that will vary between 2-4.9 volts depending on outside lighting conditions. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference ground and a 5-volt reference signal to the ambient light sensor. The BCM monitors the daytime running lamps (DRL) ambient light sensor signal circuit to determine if outside lighting conditions are correct for either DRL or automatic lamp control (ALC) when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. In high outside light conditions the BCM will command the DRLs ON. In low light conditions, when the headlamps switch is in AUTO position, the BCM will command the low beam headlamps ON.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Battery voltage must be between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

B2645 02

This DTC will set when the BCM detects a short to ground in the DRL ambient light sensor signal circuit.

B2645 05

This DTC will set when the BCM detects an open or short to voltage in the DRL ambient light sensor signal circuit.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

When DTC B2645 02 or B2645 05 is present, the ALC will default to ON.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The condition responsible for setting the DTC no longer exists.
    • You issue a scan tool CLEAR DTCs command.
    • A history DTC will clear once 100 consecutive malfunction-free ignition cycles have occurred.

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 harness connector at the ambient light sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool ambient light sensor parameter is between 1-5 volts.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. If all circuits test normal, replace the ambient light sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Ambient Light Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming