GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The body control module (BCM) has a bussed electrical center integrated into the housing. Body control relays and fuses are installed directly on the BCM which simplifies wiring and junction blocks on the vehicle. The body control system consists of the BCM and its associated controls. Battery positive voltage is provided to the BCM from the instrument panel (I/P) BATT 2 fuse in the Underhood fuse block. The module grounds are wired to ground G201 and G301. The BCM is wired to the Class 2 serial data communication bus as well as discrete input and output terminals to control the functions of the vehicles body .

Serial Data Power Mode

On vehicles that have several control modules connected by serial data circuits, one module is the power mode master (PMM). On this vehicle the PMM is the BCM. The PMM receives 3 discrete ignition switch signals to differentiate which power mode will be sent over the Serial Data circuits. The table below illustrates the state of these inputs in correspondence to the ignition switch position:

3-Wire Ignition Switch Table

Ignition Switch Position

Accessory

Run/Crank

Off/Run/Crank

Power Mode Transmitted

Important: States marked with the * indicate the positive passlock voltage level not vehicle positive battery voltage.

Off

0

0

0 Key out. 1 Key in.

OFF/Awake or RAP

Start

0

1

1*

Crank

Accessory

1

0

0

Accessory

Run

1

1

1

Run

Relay Controlled Power Mode

The BCM uses the discrete ignition switch inputs Off/Run/Crank, Accessory and Run/Crank to distinguish the correct power mode. These circuits are also routed to the Run/Crank and Accessory relays for relay controlled power feeds during the appropriate power mode.

Run/Crank Relay

The relay uses a Hot At All Times B+ power source derived from the underhood electrical center. The Run/Crank relay supplies a power signal to the following circuits when the a Run or Crank power mode is selected:

    • Backup lamp circuit
    • Electronic brake control module (EBCM)
    • Engine control module (ECM)
    • Ignition control module (ICM)
    • Park neutral position switch
    • Transmission circuit 1 and 2

Accessory (ACC) Relay

The ACC relay is energized when the Run or Accessory power mode has been selected. The relay uses a Hot At All Times B+ power source derived from the underhood electrical center. The ACC relay is also energized by the BCM to supply power during the RAP power mode. The following devices are controlled by this relay:

    • Auxiliary power outlets
    • EC mirrors
    • Ignition lock solenoid
    • Power windows
    • Power mirrors
    • Radio
    • Rear compartment lid release
    • Sunroof
    • Wiper washers

Fail-Safe Operation

Since the operation of the vehicle systems depends on the power mode, there is a fail-safe plan in place should the PMM fail to send a power mode message. The fail-safe plan covers those modules using exclusively serial data control of power mode as well as those modules with discrete ignition signal inputs.

Serial Data Messages

The modules that depend exclusively on serial data messages for power modes stay in the state dictated by the last valid PMM message until they can check for the engine run flag status on the serial data circuits. If the PMM fails, the modules monitor the serial data circuit for the engine run flag serial data. If the engine run flag serial data is True, indicating that the engine is running, the modules fail-safe to RUN. In this state the modules and their subsystems can support all operator requirements. If the engine run flag serial data is False, indicating that the engine is not running, the modules fail-safe to OFF-AWAKE. In this state the modules are constantly checking for a change status message on the serial data circuits and can respond to both local inputs and serial data inputs from other modules on the vehicle.

Discrete Ignition Signals

Those modules that have discrete ignition signal inputs also remain in the state dictated by the last valid PMM message received on the serial data circuits. They then check the state of their discrete ignition input to determine the current valid state. If the discrete ignition input is active, battery positive voltage, the modules will fail-safe to the RUN power mode. If the discrete ignition input is not active, open or 0 volts, the modules will fail-safe to OFF-AWAKE. In this state the modules are constantly checking for a change status message on the serial data circuits and can respond to both local inputs and serial data inputs from other modules on the vehicle.

BCM Wake-Up/Sleep States

The BCM is able to control or perform all of the BCM functions in the wake-up state. The BCM enters the sleep state when active control or monitoring of system functions has stopped, and the BCM has become idle again. The BCM must detect certain wake-up inputs before entering the wake-up state. The BCM monitors for these inputs during the sleep state, where the BCM is able to detect switch transitions that cause the BCM to wake-up when activated or deactivated. Multiple switch inputs are needed in order to sense both the insertion of the ignition key and the power mode requested. This would allow the BCM to enter a sleep state when the key is IN or OUT of the ignition.

The BCM will enter a wake-up state if any of the following wake-up inputs are detected:

    • Activity on the serial data line
    • Detection of a battery disconnect and reconnect condition
    • Headlamps are ON.
    • Ignition is turned ON.
    • Key-in-ignition switch
    • Park lamps are ON.

The BCM will enter a sleep state when all of the following conditions exist:

    • The ignition switch is OFF.
    • No activity exists on the serial data line.
    • No outputs are commanded.
    • No delay timers are actively counting.
    • No wake-up inputs are present.

If all these conditions are met the BCM will enter a low power or sleep condition. This condition indicates that the BCM, which is the PMM of the vehicle, has sent an OFF-ASLEEP message to the other systems on the serial data line.

Body Control Module

The various BCM input and output circuits are described in the corresponding functional areas indicated on the BCM electrical schematics. The BCM functions include the following:

    • A/C compressor request -- Refer to Air Temperature Description and Operation in HVAC Systems-Manual.
    • A/C cooling fan -- Refer to Air Delivery Description and Operation in HVAC Systems-Manual.
    • Battery rundown protection (Inadvertent Power) -- Refer to Interior Lighting Systems Description and Operation in Lighting Systems.
    • Brake fluid level sensing -- Refer to Brake Warning System Description and Operation in Hydraulic Brakes.
    • Bulb check -- Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
    • Chimes -- Refer to Audible Warnings Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
       - Check gages
       - Door ajar warning
       - Headlamps ON
       - Key-in-ignition
       - Oil reset
       - Park brake warning
       - Seat belt not fastened
       - Turn signal ON
    • Door lock interface -- Refer to Power Door Locks Description and Operation in Doors.
    • Electronic steering control (ESC) -- Refer to Power Steering System Description and Operation in Power Steering System.
    • Engine coolant level sensing -- Refer to Cooling System Description and Operation in Engine Cooling.
    • Exterior and interior lighting control -- Refer to Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation in Lighting Systems.
       - Automatic lighting control
       - Daytime running lights (DRL)
       - Fog lamps
       - Park brake lights
       - Turn hazard lamps
    • Gage control -- Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
    • Horn interface -- Refer to Horns System Description and Operation in Horns.
    • Instrument cluster indicator control -- Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
    • Interior lighting -- Refer to Interior Lighting Systems Description and Operation in Lighting Systems.
    • Key-in-ignition sensing -- Refer to Audible Warnings Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
    • Parking brake state sensing -- Refer to Brake Warning System Description and Operation in Hydraulic Brakes.
    • Retained Accessory Power (RAP) -- Refer to Retained Accessory Power (RAP) Description and Operation in Retained Accessory Power.
    • Rear compartment interface -- Refer to Power Door Locks Description and Operation in Doors.
    • Rear defogger -- Refer to Rear Window Defogger Description and Operation in Stationary Windows.
    • Remote function control -- Refer to Keyless Entry System Description and Operation in Keyless Entry.
    • Seat belt use sensing -- Refer to Seat Belt System Description and Operation in Seat Belts.
    • Theft deterrent -- Refer to Theft Systems Description and Operation in Theft Deterrent.
    • Washer solvent level sensing -- Refer to Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation in Wipers/Washer Systems.
    • Wiper/Washer -- Refer to Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation in Wipers/Washer Systems.