GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

Modules connected to the serial data circuits monitor for serial data communications during normal vehicle operation. Operating information and commands are exchanged among the modules. The modules have prerecorded information about what messages are needed to be exchanged on the serial data circuits. The messages are supervised and also, some periodic messages are used by the receiver module as an availability indication of the transmitter module. Serial data messages contain the identification number of the transmitter module. When a message that indicates the availability of the transmitter module is not received, the receiver module sets a DTC.

A module with a serial data circuit malfunction or which loses power during the current ignition cycle will have a Loss of Communication DTC set by other modules that depend on information from that failed module. The modules that can communicate will set a DTC indicating the module that can not communicate.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P1671 Lost Communications With Transmission Control Module (TCM)

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON or the engine is operating.
    • DTC P1671 runs continuously once the above condition is met for more than 10 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The engine control module (ECM) detects no message from the transmission control module (TCM) for more than 0.5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls?

Go to Scan Tool Does Not Communicate with Component in Data Link Communications

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls