GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle .
    •  Circuit Testing .
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .
    •  Wiring Repairs .
    •  Battery Inspection/Test .
    •  Battery Electrical Drain/Parasitic Load Test .
    •  Battery Common Causes of Malfunction .
    •  Charging System Test .

The driver information center (DIC) may display a "Charging System Failure" message. This message being displayed is the result of a message being sent by the engine control module (ECM), instrument panel module (IPM), dash integration module (DIM) or the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to the DIC. Each module has a different criteria for requesting the message to be displayed.

    Caution: Refer to Safety Glasses Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Turn off all accessories.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the Battery Voltage parameter in the IPM or DIM data list, ECM data list and the IPC) data list.
  3. The voltage should be between 11.9 volts and 15.9 volts. If not within this range carry out charging system test.
  4. The voltage should be within 1  volt of each other. If not within 1 volt carry out circuit testing.
  5. If no fault in circuit replace the affected module.

Repair Instructions

Engine Control Module Replacement .