GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The Power Sliding Door (PSD) is designed in order to open and close the right sliding door by the following components:

    • One of two buttons located in the vehicle
    • The keyless entry transmitter

The PSD has a power assist that activates when the sliding is operated manually.

A PSD on/off switch enables or disables the PSD. The PSD on/off switch is located in the overhead console. Two PSD open/close switches activate the PSD operation:

    • The overhead console switch
    • The right B-pillar switch

The keyless entry transmitter also has a PSD open/close button.

Power Assist

Important: 

   • The Power Sliding Door (PSD) only operates with the sliding door unlocked.
   • When the child security lock is engaged, the following conditions exist:
      - The PSD will operate.
      - The sliding door will not open when pulling the inside door handle.

When pulling either door handle with the sliding door fully closed, the Power Sliding Door (PSD) activates a power assist. The power assist assumes control of the sliding door operation.

The power assist feature assumes control and fully opens or fully closes the door under the following conditions:

    • The sliding door is open.
    • The sliding door is manually moved move than 7.5 cm (3 in) in either direction.

Power Sliding Door (PSD) Components

Rear Side Door Actuator Control Module

Important: Perform the PSD re-initialization procedure when any of the following conditions exist:

   • The PSD is inoperative.
   • The vehicle battery is reconnected after being disconnected.
   • The vehicle battery is recharged due to a low or discharged battery condition.
   • The RADIO fuse (located in the underhood accessory wiring junction block) is reinstalled or replaced.
   • You exit any of the Diagnostic Modes. Refer to Diagnostic Modes in Power Sliding Door (PSD) Diagnostic Information for more information.

The rear side door actuator control module is located on the rear portion of the PSD assembly, behind the right quarter panel.

The rear side door actuator control module monitors the following inputs for sliding door activation:

    • The overhead console PSD on/off switch
    • The PSD open/close switches (overhead console and B-pillar)
    • The PSD open/close signal from the keyless entry system's Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR)
    • The PARK position of the automatic transaxle shifter

The rear side door actuator control module uses the following inputs in order to determine the exact sliding door location necessary for proper PSD operation:

    • The door lock latch switch
        The door lock latch switch sends a ground signal to the rear side door actuator control module when one of the following conditions exist:
       - The sliding door is open.
       - The sliding door is ajar (first latch catch).
       - The sliding door is latched (fully closed).
    • The optical sensor
        The optical sensor sends signal pulses to the rear side door actuator control module in order to determine the exact position of the sliding door within the door's travel.

Door Lock Latch Switch

The door lock latch switch is part of the sliding door latch assembly. The door latch switch sends ground signals to the rear side door actuator control module through CKT 1892. This action indicates when the following conditions exist:

    • The sliding door is open.
    • The sliding door is ajar.
    • The sliding door is latched (fully closed).

The door lock latch switch receives ground through CKT 750. The following circuits pass through the switch plate plungers and striker located on the B-pillar:

    • CKT 750
    • CKT 1892

The rear side door actuator control module reduces the power to the cable motor when the following actions occur:

    • The PSD is closing.
    • The sliding door is approximately 30 cm (12 in) from the closed position.

This action slows down the movement of the sliding door. When the switch plate plungers and striker contact, the following conditions will be present:

    • The following circuits are completed:
       - CKT 750
       - CKT 1892
    • The rear side door actuator control module is able to monitor the door lock latch switch input.

When the sliding door latch moves from the open position to the ajar position, the door lock latch switch stops sending a ground signal to the rear side door actuator control module. This action opens CKT 1892. This condition signals the rear side door actuator control module that the sliding door has passed from the secondary (open door) position to the unlatched (ajar) position. When the rear side door actuator control module detects the door ajar position, the rear side door actuator control module sends the full power to the cable motor.

As the sliding door continues to close, the sliding door latch moves from the ajar position to the latched position. When the sliding door is between the ajar position and the latched position, the door lock latch switch sends another ground signal to the rear side door actuator control module. This action signals the rear side door actuator control module that the sliding door has passed from the unlatched (ajar) position to the latched (closed) position. The following actions then occur:

  1. The rear side door actuator control module disengages the clutch.
  2. The rear side door actuator control module de-energizes the cable motor.

Optical Sensor

Important: Prevent bright light from reaching the optical sensor when performing diagnostics with the rear quarter trim panel removed. Bright light may cause the rear side door actuator control module to be unable to monitor the sliding door position.

When the sliding door is moving, the optical sensor sends pulses to the rear side door actuator control module. The rear side door actuator control monitors these optical sensor pulses at all times, including under the following conditions:

    • When the sliding door is manually opened with the PSD on/off switch enabled
    • When the sliding door is manually closed with the PSD on/off switch enabled

The optical sensor pulses allow the rear side door actuator control module to calculate the exact position of the sliding door. The optical sensor allows the rear side door actuator control module to resume the PSD operation after operating the sliding door manually. The optical sensor is located at the rear bottom of the PSD assembly.

Door Unlatch Actuator

The Power Sliding Door (PSD) uses a door unlatch actuator in order to unlatch (open) the sliding door. The rear side door actuator control module operates the door unlatch actuator.

When the PSD opens the sliding door, the rear side door actuator control module energizes the door unlatch actuator by sending B+ through CKT 2910. The door unlatch actuator receives ground through CKT 750. The sliding door unlatches when the door unlatch actuator is energized. The following circuits pass through the switch plate plungers and striker located on the B-pillar:

    • CKT 750
    • CKT 2910

The rear side door actuator control module is only able to energize the door lock unlatch actuator when the switch plate plungers and striker are in contact. The door unlatch actuator is located inside the upper center of the sliding door.

Transaxle Range Switch

The rear side door actuator control module monitors the PARK position of the transaxle range switch. When the transaxle is in the PARK position, the transaxle range switch sends a B+ signal to the rear side door actuator control module through CKT 275. When the transaxle is shifted out of the PARK position, the transaxle range switch does not send a B+ signal to the rear side door actuator control module.

The rear side door actuator control module uses this signal in order to inhibit a PSD open operation when the transaxle is shifted out of the PARK position. The rear side door actuator control module will still allow a PSD close operation. The rear side door actuator control module will sound the alarm in order to alert the driver of the following conditions:

    • The sliding door is not fully closed.
    • The sliding door may not latch properly due to vehicle motion.

Power Sliding Door (PSD)

Drive Unit (Cable Motor and Clutch)

The drive unit contains the cable motor and the clutch. The cable motor is used in order to drive the sliding door open or closed. The cable motor and the clutch are both energized during a PSD open or close operation.

During the last 30 cm (12 in) of sliding door closing travel, the rear side door actuator control module reduces the power to the cable motor through Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). This action causes a tone that is emitted from the PSD assembly. The PSD alarm does not generate this tone.

The rear side door actuator control module sends full power to the cable motor when receiving the first signal from the door lock latch switch. This action indicates that the sliding door is in the unlatched (ajar) position. Refer to Door Lock Latch Switch Description for more information.

The rear side door actuator control module does not energize the cable motor when the overhead console PSD on/off switch is enabled (pressed). The rear side door actuator control module disengages the clutch in order to disconnect the cable motor. This action allows the manual operation of the sliding door without back driving the cable motor.

PSD Alarm

The PSD alarm sounds when all of the following conditions are present:

    • The PSD on/off switch is off.
    • The PSD is closing the sliding door.
    • The transaxle is shifted out of the PARK position.

The rear side door actuator control module sounds the PSD alarm by sending B+ to the alarm coil through CKT 902. The rear side door actuator control module provides ground to the alarm at all times through CKT 902.

Perform one of the following actions in order to stop the PSD alarm:

    • Shift the transaxle into the PARK position.
    • Manually pull the sliding door toward the closed position. Allow the power assist feature to assume control of closing the sliding door.
    • Press a PSD open/close switch in order to command a PSD close operation.
    • Enable the PSD on/off switch.

The rear side door actuator control module uses the PSD alarm in order to provide an audio feedback during diagnostics. Refer to Diagnostic Information and Procedures.