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 Descriptor

DTC C0278 00: Brake Pedal Position Sensor Circuit No Additional Information

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Brake Pedal Position Sensor Signal

C0277 06

C0277 06

C0277 07

C0277 09

Brake Pedal Position Sensor 5-Volt Reference

C0870 03

C0870 03

C0870 07

--

Brake Pedal Position Sensor Low Reference

--

C0277 06

C0277 07

--

Stop Lamp Switch Signal

B3903 02, P0572

B3903 05, P0573

B3903 05, P0573

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Supply Voltage

1

1

1

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Supply Voltage

1

1

1

--

Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Ground

--

1

1

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

1. Stop Lamps Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The brake pedal position sensor is used to sense the action of the driver application of the brake pedal. The brake pedal position sensor provides an analog voltage signal that will increase as the brake pedal is applied. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference signal and a 5-volt reference voltage to the brake pedal position sensor. When the variable signal reaches a voltage threshold indicating the brakes have been applied, the BCM will apply battery positive voltage to the stop lamps, center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL), transmission control module (TCM), and engine control module (ECM). The stop lamps will not operate unless the ignition is in the ON position.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Battery voltage must be between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

DTC C0278 00 will set when the brake pedal position sensor home position is not learned.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The Service Vehicle Soon indicator is commanded ON.
    • When DTC C0278 is set as current, the vehicle will not start.
    • Stop lamps may not activate at the expected brake pedal positions.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • A successful brake pedal position sensor calibration has been performed.
    • The condition responsible for setting the DTC no longer exists.
    • You issue a scan tool CLEAR DTCs command.
    • A history DTC will clear once 50 malfunction-free ignition cycles have occurred.

Diagnostic Aids

Important: The stop lamps will not illuminate unless the ignition is in the ON position. For more detailed information concerning stop lamp operation, refer to Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation .

If DTC C0278 00 is set, recalibrate the brake pedal position sensor.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Lighting Systems Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

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

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Verify that the DTC sets under the Conditions for Running and Setting.
  2. Perform the brake pedal position sensor recalibration procedure.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions that the customer experienced and verify the DTC does not reset.
  4. If the DTC resets, replace the brake pedal position sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Brake Pedal Position Sensor Calibration
    •  Brake Pedal Position Sensor Replacement

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 Descriptor

DTC C0278 00: Brake Pedal Position Sensor Not Calibrated

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Brake Pedal Position Sensor Signal

C0277 06

C0277 06

C0277 07

C0277 09

Brake Pedal Position Sensor 5-Volt Reference

C0870 03

C0870 03

C0870 07

--

Brake Pedal Position Sensor Low Reference

--

C0277 06

C0277 07

--

Stop Lamp Switch Signal

B3903 02, P0572

B3903 05, P0573

B3903 05, P0573

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Supply Voltage

1

1

1

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Supply Voltage

1

1

1

--

Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Ground

--

1

1

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

1. Stop Lamps Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The brake pedal position sensor is used to sense the action of the driver application of the brake pedal. The brake pedal position sensor provides an analog voltage signal that will increase as the brake pedal is applied. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference signal and a 5-volt reference voltage to the brake pedal position sensor. When the variable signal reaches a voltage threshold indicating the brakes have been applied, the BCM will apply battery positive voltage to the stop lamps, center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL), transmission control module (TCM), and engine control module (ECM). The stop lamps will not operate unless the ignition is in the ON position.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Battery voltage must be between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

DTC C0278 00 will set when the brake pedal position sensor home position is not learned.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The Service Vehicle Soon indicator is commanded ON.
    • When DTC C0278 is set as current, the vehicle will not start.
    • Stop lamps may not activate at the expected brake pedal positions.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • A successful brake pedal position sensor calibration has been performed.
    • The condition responsible for setting the DTC no longer exists.
    • You issue a scan tool CLEAR DTCs command.
    • A history DTC will clear once 50 malfunction-free ignition cycles have occurred.

Diagnostic Aids

Important: The stop lamps will not illuminate unless the ignition is in the ON position. For more detailed information concerning stop lamp operation, refer to Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation .

If DTC C0278 00 is set, recalibrate the brake pedal position sensor.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Lighting Systems Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

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

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Verify that the DTC sets under the Conditions for Running and Setting.
  2. Perform the brake pedal position sensor recalibration procedure.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions that the customer experienced and verify the DTC does not reset.
  4. If the DTC resets, replace the brake pedal position sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Brake Pedal Position Sensor Calibration
    •  Brake Pedal Position Sensor Replacement