GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is located on the instrument panel cluster (IPC). The MIL informs the driver that an emission system fault has occurred and that the engine control system requires service. The control module monitors the MIL control circuit for conditions that are incorrect for the commanded state of the MIL. For example, a failure condition exists if the control module detects low voltage when the MIL is commanded OFF, or high voltage when the MIL is commanded ON. If the control module detects an improper voltage on the MIL control circuit, DTC P0650 will set.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0650 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Control Circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • The ignition voltage is between 10-18 volts.
    • DTC P0650 runs continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The control module detects that the commanded state of the MIL driver and the actual state of the control circuit do not match for 5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

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

    • 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.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step tests for a short to ground in the MIL control circuit. With the engine control module (ECM) disconnected and the ignition ON, the MIL should be OFF.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Instrument Cluster Schematics or Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console Connector End Views or Engine Control Module Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Command the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ON and OFF with a scan tool.

Does the MIL turn ON and OFF when commanded with a scan tool?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Does the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

4

Is the MIL always ON?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect the fuse that supplies battery voltage to the MIL.

Is the fuse open?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 7

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the engine control module (ECM).
  3. Turn ON the ignition.

Is the MIL OFF?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 15

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the MIL control circuit of the ECM and a good ground.

Is the MIL illuminated?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 8

8

Did the fuse in the jumper wire open?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the instrument panel cluster (IPC).
  3. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.
  4. Probe the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the IPC harness connector with a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 16

10

Test the MIL control circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 11

11

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the IPC. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 17

12

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 18

13

Repair the short to voltage in the MIL control circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 19

--

14

Repair the short to ground on the voltage supply circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 19

--

15

Repair the short to ground in the MIL control circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 19

--

16

Repair the open in the ignition 1 voltage circuit. Refer Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 19

--

17

Replace the IPC. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 19

--

18

Replace the ECM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 19

--

19

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 20

20

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

System OK