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

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Stop Lamp Relay B+

2

2

--

--

Brake Position Sensor 5-Volt Reference

C0870 03

C0870 03

C0870 07

--

Brake Position Sensor Signal

C0277 06

C0277 06

C0277 07

C0277 09

Stop Lamp Switch Signal

P0572

P0573

P0573

--

Stop Lamp Relay Control

2

2

2

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Control

1

1

1

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Control

1

1

1

--

Brake Position Sensor Low Reference

--

C0277 06

C0277 07

--

Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) Ground

--

2

2

--

Left Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

Right Rear Stop/Turn Lamp Ground

--

1

1

--

1. Stop Lamps Malfunction

2. High Mounted Stop Lamp 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, transmission control module (TCM), engine control module (ECM), and stop lamp relay coil. The BCM also supplies the stop lamp relay coil with ground. When the stop lamp relay receives battery voltage and ground from the BCM, the relay coil is energized and the stop lamp relay switch contacts close applying battery voltage to the center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL). Ground for the left stop lamp and CHMSL are provided at G301 and the right stop lamp receives ground at G302.

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.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Exterior Lighting Systems 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 Testing

Stop Lamps Malfunction (North America)

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect harness connector at the inoperative stop lamp.
  2. Ignition OFF, exterior lamps OFF, test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal D and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal E and the ground circuit terminal D.
  5. Command the Stop Lamp Relay Control ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  6. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  7. If all circuits test normal, replace the inoperative stop lamp.

Stop Lamps Malfunction (European)

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the stop lamp relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal E3 and ground.
  3. If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal C2 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the 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 control circuit terminal E3 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the stop lamp relay.
  6. Disconnect harness connector at the inoperative stop lamp.
  7. Ignition OFF, exterior lamps OFF, test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal D and ground.
  8. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  9. Connect the harness connector at the inoperative stop lamp.
  10. Connect a 15A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal C2 and the control circuit terminal E3. Verify the stop lamps are activated.
  11. If the stop lamps are not activated, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inoperative stop lamp.
  12. Connect a test lamp between the signal circuit terminal C3 and the control circuit terminal E2.
  13. Command the Stop Lamp Relay Control ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  14. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    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 BCM.
  15. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the stop lamp relay.

High Mounted Stop Lamp Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the stop lamp relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal E3 and ground.
  3. If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal C2 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the 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 control circuit terminal E3 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the stop lamp relay.
  6. Disconnect harness connector at the CHMSL.
  7. Ignition OFF, exterior lamps OFF, test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.
  8. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  9. Connect the harness connector at the CHMSL.
  10. Connect a 15A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal C2 and the control circuit terminal E3. Verify the CHMSL is activated.
  11. If the CHMSL does not activate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the CHMSL.
  12. Connect a test lamp between the signal circuit terminal C3 and the control circuit terminal E2.
  13. Command the Stop Lamp Relay Control ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  14. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    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 BCM.
  15. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the stop lamp relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Tail/Turn Signal Lamp Replacement
    •  High Mount Stop Lamp Replacement
    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming