Park, License, and/or Tail Lamps Malfunction
Park, License, and/or Tail Lamps Malfunction
Diagnostic Instructions
* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
* ReviewStrategy Based Diagnosis (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions (Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview) provides an overview of each diagnostic category.
Diagnostic Fault Information
Circuit/System Description
The vehicle park, license, and tail lamps are controlled by the body control module (BCM) based on an input from the headlamp switch. The headlamp switch has four positions: Off, Auto, Park, and Headlamps. The default headlamp switch position is Auto, in which the BCM uses the ambient light sensor to determine when exterior lamps are needed. The Off portion of the headlamp switch is a momentary switch which overrides the automatic lamps and will turn off the vehicle lamps. The Park position of the headlamp switch will only illuminate the vehicle parking lamps. The Headlamp position of the headlamp switch will illuminate both the parking lamps, as well has the headlamps. With the headlamp switch in the Park position, the park lamp switch on signal circuit is grounded, prompting the BCM to turn on the exterior lamps, regardless of other factors such as ambient light.
When a park lamp request is received, the BCM grounds the park lamp relay control circuit. This energizes the coil in the PARK LP PCB relay, causing the relay switch to close. Battery voltage is then applied through the LT PARK and RT PARK LAMP fuses and the park lamp supply voltage circuits illuminating the exterior lamps.
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Exterior Lights Schematics (Exterior Lights Diagrams)
Connector End View Reference
Component Connector End Views (Connector Views)
Description and Operation
Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation (Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation)
Electrical Information Reference
* Circuit Testing (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Connector Repairs (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
* Wiring Repairs (Component Tests and General Diagnostics)
Scan Tool Reference
Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for Scan Tool Information
Circuit/System Verification
1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool BCM Parklamp Switch parameter while cycling the headlamp switch between the Park and Off positions. The parameter should cycle between Active and Inactive.
• If the parameter does not cycle between the specified values, Refer to Headlamp Switch Circuit Test.
2. Command the Parking Lamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. Verify the park, license, and tail lamps turn ON and OFF between commanded states.
• If any of the lamps are always OFF or remain always ON, Refer to Park, License, and/or Tail Lamps Circuit Test.
Circuit/System Testing
Headlamp Switch Circuit Test
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the headlamp switch.
2. Ignition OFF, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ground circuit terminal 8 and B+.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
3. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool BCM Parklamp 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.
4. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 2 and ground. Verify the scan tool Parklamp Switch parameter is Active.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or and open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the headlamp switch.
Park, License, and/or Tail Lamps Circuit Test
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the PRK Relay from the rear fuse block.
2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the supply voltage circuit terminal 104 and ground.
• If the test lamp illuminates, test the supply voltage circuits for a short to voltage.
3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 102 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 100 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
5. Connect a test lamp between the B+ circuit terminal 102 and the control circuit terminal 101.
6. Command the Parking Lamps 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.
7. Disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative lamp.
8. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5.0 ohms of resistance between the appropriate ground circuit listed below and ground.
* Marker Lamp or License Lamp terminal B
* Front Park/Turn Lamp or Stop/Turn/Tail Lamp terminal G
* Auxiliary Tail Lamp terminal 3
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
9. Connect a test lamp between the inoperative lamp supply voltage circuit listed below and ground.
* Marker Lamp or License Lamp terminal A
* Front Park/Turn or Stop/Turn/Tail Lamp terminal B
* Auxiliary Tail Lamp terminal 2
10. Connect a 3A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 100 and the supply voltage circuit terminal 104. Verify the test lamp is illuminated.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the supply voltage circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the bulb or lamp assembly.
11. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the park lamp relay.
Component Testing
Headlamp Switch
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the headlamp switch.
2. Test for less than 2.0 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal 2 and the ground terminal 8 with the switch in the Park position.
• If not the specified value, replace the headlamp switch.
3. Test for less than 2.0 ohms of resistance between the signal terminal 2 and the ground terminal 8 with the switch in the Headlamp position.
• If not the specified value, replace the headlamp switch.
Relay Test
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the park lamp relay.
2. Test for 70-100 ohms of resistance between terminals 85 and 86.
• If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the relay.
3. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
* 30 and 85
* 30 and 86
* 30 and 87
* 85 and 87
• If not the specified value, replace the relay.
4. Install a 10A fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and B+. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between terminals 30 and 87.
• If greater than the specified range, replace the relay.
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.
* Headlamp Switch Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Headlamp Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Tail Lamp Bulb Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Tail Lamp Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Rear License Lamp Replacement (Service and Repair)
* License Lamp Bulb Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for BCM replacement, setup and programming