GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Exterior Lamps

The exterior lighting system consist of the following lamps:

    • Backup lamps
    • Daytime running lamps (DRL)
    • Fog lamps
    • Headlamps
    • Park, tail, and marker lamps
    • Stop lamps
    • Turn signal lamps

Headlamps

The headlamps may be turned ON 2 different ways. First, when the driver places the headlamp switch in the HEADLAMP position, for normal operation. Second, with the headlamp switch placed in the AUTO position, for automatic lamp control (ALC). During ALC, the headlamps will be OFF in daylight conditions, or low beam operation in low light conditions. Battery positive voltage is supplied to the low beam relay and the high beam relay in the underhood fuse block. When low beam headlamps are requested, the body control module (BCM) supplies ground to the coil side of the low beam relay. This activates the relay and the relay supplies voltage to the left hand low beam headlamp through the LH LOW BEAM fuse and to the right hand low beam headlamp through the RH LOW BEAM fuse. Ground for the left hand low beam headlamp is provided at G101. Ground for the right hand low beam headlamp is provided at G102. When high beam headlamps are requested, the body control module (BCM) supplies ground to the coil side of the high beam relay. This activates the relay and the relay supplies voltage to the left hand high beam headlamp through the LH HIGH BEAM fuse and to the right hand high beam headlamp through the RH HIGH BEAM fuse. Ground for the left hand high beam headlamp is provided at G101. Ground for the right hand high beam headlamp is provided at G102.

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

The ambient light sensor is used to monitor outside lighting conditions. The ambient light sensor provides a voltage signal that will vary between 0.2 and 4.9 volts depending on outside lighting conditions. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference ground and 5-volt reference signal to the ambient light sensor. The BCM monitors the ambient light sensor signal circuit to determine if outside lighting conditions are correct for either daytime running lights (DRL) or automatic lamp control (ALC) when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. In daylight conditions, the BCM will command the DRLs ON by applying ground to the DRL relay control circuit. When the BCM applies ground to the relay control circuit, the DRL relay coil energizes causing the relay switch contacts to close. With the DRL relay switch contacts closed, battery voltage flows through the DRL fuse to the left and right low beam headlamp control circuits illuminating the low beam headlamps at reduced intensity. The DRL control circuit that supplies the low beam headlamp fuses with voltage contains a loop of wire that acts as resistance. This resistance is responsible for the low beam headlamps illuminating at a reduced intensity. Any function or condition that turns on the headlamps will cancel DRL operation.

DRL operation in manual transmission equipped vehicles will occur when the ignition switch is in the ON position, and the parking brake is released.

Fog Lamps

The front fog lamp relay is supplied with battery voltage at all times via the FRT FOG LP fuse. The front fog lamp switch signal circuit is grounded momentarily by pressing the front fog lamp switch. The body control module (BCM) energizes the front fog lamp relay by applying voltage to the front fog lamp relay control circuit. When the front fog lamp relay is energized, the relay switch contacts close and battery voltage is applied through the FRT FOG LP fuse to the front fog lamp control circuit which illuminates the front fog lamps. The front fog lamp relay control circuit also controls the front fog lamp switch indicator.

Park, Tail and Marker Lamps

The park, tail, and marker lamps, including the license lamps, are turned ON when the headlamp switch is placed in the PARK or HEADLAMP position, or anytime the headlights are requested. The PARK LAMPS fuse in the rear fuse block supplies battery positive voltage to the PARK LAMP relay switch contacts. The PARK LAMPS fuse in the rear fuse block also supplies battery positive voltage to the PARK LAMP relay coil. When the park lamps are turned ON, the body control module (BCM) energizes the park lamp relay. Current flow is from the PARK LAMP relay to their respective park and marker lamps and to ground. Ground is provided at G101, G102, G401, and G403.

Perimeter Lighting

When a remote unlock is requested and the vehicle is off, doors locked, and a low ambient light is present, then the high beams, park lamps and backup lamps will come on for about 20 seconds or until a door is open, the key is turned to ACC or run, or a remote lock actuation.

Remote Keyless Entry Exterior Lamp Illumination

On vehicles with a remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR), when the RCDLR module receives a door unlock command from the remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter, the RCDLR module will send a class 2 message to the body control module (BCM) indicating that an UNLOCK command has been received. The BCM will then flash the park lamps twice. With all the doors closed, and the RKE transmitter is used to lock the doors, the park lamps will flash twice. The park lamps will not flash if the rear compartment is opened using the RKE transmitter.

On vehicles without a RCDLR, when the BCM receives a door unlock command from the RKE transmitter, the BCM will then flash the park lamps twice. With all the doors closed, and the RKE transmitter is used to lock the doors, the park lamps will flash twice. The park lamps will not flash if the rear compartment is opened using the RKE transmitter.

Turn Signal Lamps

The body control module (BCM) is responsible for controlling the turn signals and hazard lamps. When the turn signal switch is placed in either the left turn or right turn position, the BCM receives a signal from the turn signal switch. The BCM then sends an on-off voltage signal to either the left or right turn signals and their instrument panel cluster (IPC) indicator. When the hazard switch is pressed, the BCM receives a signal from the hazard switch. The BCM then will send an on-off voltage signal to all the turn signal lamps. All the turn signal lamps will flash including both IPC turn signal indicators.

Stop Lamps

The brake pedal position sensor is used to sense the action of the driver application of the brake pedal. The brake pedal position sensor provides an analog voltage signal that will increase as the brake pedal is applied. The body control module (BCM) provides a low reference signal and a 5-volt reference voltage to the brake pedal position sensor. When the variable signal reaches a voltage threshold indicating the brakes have been applied, the BCM will apply battery positive voltage to the stop lamps, transmission control module (TCM), engine control module (ECM), and stop lamp relay coil side. When the stop lamp relay receives battery voltage from the BCM, the relay coil is energized and the stop lamp relay switch contacts close applying battery voltage through the STOP LP fuse to illuminate the center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL).

Backup Lamps

When the transmission is placed in the REVERSE position, the transmission control module (TCM) sends a serial data message to the body control module (BCM). The message indicates that the gear selector is in the REVERSE position. The BCM applies ground to the backup lamp relay control circuit energizing the backup lamp relay coil. With the relay coil energized, the switch contacts close allowing battery voltage to flow from the BCK/LPS fuse to the left and right backup lamps. Once the driver moves the gear selector out of the REVERSE position, a message is sent by the TCM via serial data requesting the BCM to remove ground from the backup lamp relay control circuit. This opens the backup lamp relay switch contacts turning OFF the backup lamps.

Inadvertent Power

The body control module (BCM) used in this vehicle controls the lighting system through circuits that enable both the exterior lamp functions of park, head, and fog lamps as well as the interior lamps. The BCM opens these enabling circuits shortly after the ignition switch is turned OFF with no lamp switch activity. If the ignition switch is turned to any position other than OFF, or if a lamp switch is activated during this period, the timer will reset itself again.