GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

DTC B3874 with RPO L26 or L32

Circuit Description

The body control module (BCM) controls and monitors the state of the wiper control circuit. When the windshield wiper switch is placed in to a low speed setting, a signal is applied to the BCM. The BCM then applies battery positive voltage to the coil side of the wiper relay through the wiper relay control circuit. This energizes the wiper relay, allowing battery positive voltage from the wiper/ws fuse through the switched side of the wiper relay to the windshield wiper motor. Ground is applied at all times to the coil side of the wiper relay and the windshield wiper motor form G201.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC B3874 Wiper Low Speed Relay Circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is in the ON position.
    • The ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The following conditions will cause the DTC to set:

    • The BCM detects an short to battery positive voltage in the wiper relay control circuit for over 1 second.
    • The BCM detects a short to ground or an open in the wiper relay control circuit.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The BCM will not activate the output.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The DTC will clear on current status after the condition for setting the fault is corrected.
    • A history DTC will clear after 100 consecutive ignition cycles without a fault present.
    • History and current DTCs can be cleared using a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Perform a visual inspection for loose or poor connections at all related components. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List .

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
  2. On the wiper switch, select a low speed.

Do the windshield wipers operate?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
  2. Turn the wiper switch OFF.
  3. Remove the wiper relay from the underhood fuse block.
  4. Using a test lamp connected to ground, probe the wiper relay control circuit at the underhood fuse block.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Leave the test lamp connected.
  2. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
  3. Turn the wiper switch to a low position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

  1. Turn the wiper switch to the OFF position.
  2. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
  3. Using a test lamp, probe the wiper relay control circuit and the ground circuit of the wiper relay at the underhood fuse block.
  4. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
  5. Turn the wiper switch to a low position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

6

Test for a poor connection, an open, or short to ground in the wiper relay control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 10

7

Test for a poor connection or an open in the ground circuit of the wiper relay. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

8

Repair a short to battery positive voltage in the wiper relay control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 12

--

9

    • Replace the wiper relay. Refer to Relay Replacement .
    • Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 12

10

Replace the body control module (BCM). Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 12

--

11

Replace the underhood electrical center. Refer to Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 12

--

12

  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions For Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 2

System OK

DTC B3874 with LS4

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC B3874 00: Wiper Low Speed Relay Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Windshield Wiper Motor Relay Coil Supply Voltage

B3874

2

6

--

Windshield Wiper Switch High Signal

6

4

1

--

Windshield Wiper Switch Low Signal

6

3

1

--

Windshield Wiper Motor Park Switch Signal

5

5

--

--

Windshield Wiper High Speed Relay Control

7

4

B3875

--

Windshield Wiper Motor High Speed Control

2

4

--

--

Windshield Wiper Motor Low Speed Control

2

3

--

--

Wiper PCB Relay Ground

--

2

--

--

Windshield Wiper Motor Ground

--

2

--

--

Windshield Wiper Switch Ground

--

1

--

--

1. Wipers and Washers Inoperative All Modes

2. Wipers Inoperative All Modes and Washers Work

3. Delay or Low Speed Wipers Inoperative

4. High Speed Wipers Inoperative

5. Wipers Do Not Park

6. Wipers Always On

7. Wipers Operate at High Speed in the Low Speed Mode

Circuit/System Description

The body control module (BCM) controls and monitors the state of the wiper relay control circuit. When the windshield wiper switch is placed in to a low speed setting, a signal is applied to the BCM. The BCM then applies battery positive voltage to the coil side of the WIPER PCB Relay through the wiper relay control circuit. This energizes the relay, applying battery positive voltage from the WPR fuse through the switched side of the relay to the windshield wiper motor. Ground is applied at all times to the coil side of the wiper relay and the windshield wiper motor form G201.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is in the ON position.
    • The ignition voltage is between 9-16 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The BCM detects an short to battery positive voltage in the wiper high speed relay control circuit for over 1 second.
    • The BCM detects an open or a short to ground in the wiper high speed relay control circuit for over 1 second.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The BCM will not activate the output.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The DTC will clear on current status after the condition for setting the fault is corrected.
    • A history DTC will clear after 100 consecutive ignition cycles if the condition for the malfunction is no longer present.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Wiper/Washer Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Wiper/Washer Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Output Controls
    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the C2 harness connector at the underhood fuse block.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal A1 and battery voltage.
  3. Command the Wiper Motor Relay ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  4. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the body control module.
    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 body control module.
  5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the underhood fuse block.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming