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Circuit/System Testing: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Saturn Sky and 2008 Pontiac Solstice. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Headlamp Switch Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 and X2 harness connectors at the turn signal/multifunction switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, verify that a test lamp illuminates between B+ and the ground circuit terminal 1.
    • If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  3. Ignition OFF, verify that a test lamp illuminates between B+ and the ground circuit terminal B.
    • If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool headlamp off switch parameter is INACTIVE.
    • If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 4 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  5. Verify the scan tool flash to pass switch parameter is INACTIVE.
    • If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal C for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. Verify the scan tool high beam select switch parameter is INACTIVE.
    • If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal D for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  7. Verify the scan tool headlamp on switch parameter is INACTIVE.
    • If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 2 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  8. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 4 and ground. Verify the scan tool headlamp off switch parameter is ACTIVE.
    • If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  9. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal C and ground. Verify the scan tool flash to pass switch parameter is ACTIVE.
    • If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  10. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal D and ground. Verify the scan tool high beam select switch parameter is ACTIVE.
    • If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  11. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 2 and ground. Verify the scan tool headlamp on switch parameter is ACTIVE.
    • If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  12. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the turn signal/multifunction switch.

Headlamps Malfunction - Low Beam

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the low beam relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the relay switch controlled output circuit and ground.
    • If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit and ground.
    • 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 relay switch controlled output circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the low beam relay.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil B+ circuit and ground.
    • If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
  5. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative low beam headlamp.
  6. Ignition OFF, scan tool OFF, exterior lamps OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms of resistance between the inoperative low beam headlamp ground circuit terminal D and ground.
    • If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  7. Connect the harness connector at the inoperative low beam headlamp.
  8. Connect a 20A fused jumper wire between the relay switch B+ circuit and the relay switch controlled output circuit. Verify the low beam headlamps are activated.
    • If the low beam headlamps do not activate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inoperative low beam headlamp.
  9. Connect a test lamp between the relay coil B+ circuit and the relay coil control circuit.
  10. Command the low beam headlamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
    • 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.
  11. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the low beam relay.

Headlamps Malfunction - High Beam

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the high beam relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the relay switch controlled output circuit and ground.
    • If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
  3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit and ground.
    • 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 relay switch controlled output circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the high beam relay.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil B+ circuit and ground.
    • If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
  5. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative high beam headlamp.
  6. Ignition OFF, scan tool OFF, exterior lamps OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms of resistance between the inoperative high beam headlamp ground circuit terminal B and ground.
    • If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  7. Connect the harness connector at the inoperative high beam headlamp.
  8. Connect a 20A fused jumper wire between the relay switch B+ circuit and the relay switch controlled output circuit. Verify the high beam headlamps are activated.
    • If the high beam headlamps do not activate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inoperative high beam headlamp.
  9. Connect a test lamp between the relay coil B+ circuit and the relay coil control circuit.
  10. Command the high beam headlamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
    • 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.
  11. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the high beam relay.