Body Control Systems: Description and Operation
BODY CONTROL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND OPERATIONA/C REQUEST
Automatic Climate Control
The ACC system will request air compressor over serial data from the ACC module to the body control module (BCM). The BCM will send the request on to the powertrain control module (PCM) or engine control module (ECM), if request is valid.
Standard HVAC
A/C request is made by the HVAC control head supplying voltage to circuit 66 to the BCM. The BCM will then request over the serial data link to the engine controller to operate the compressor. The BCM provides evaporator freeze protection by monitoring engine speed and ambient temperature and evaporator temperature from the A/C sensor.
Anti-Lockout
The anti-lockout feature aids in preventing the customer from locking their car keys in the vehicle. This is a programmable feature using the Tech 2. The options are enable and disabling the feature. The feature works as follows: If the keys are in the ignition, and a manual door lock switch is activated with any door open, the BCM will lock all doors, then within 500 ms, the drivers door will unlock. This feature can be overridden in 2 ways:
- The doors will lock if a lock command from a remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter is sent to the BCM
- Manually push the lock tab on the door.
Audible Warnings
The BCM will provide an audible warning for various events relating to the vehicle. The functions that provide an audible warning are key in ignition, light ON, occupant restraint (seat belt) and park brake.
Key in Ignition Audible Chime
The ignition key must be seated and rotated before a chime will occur. The BCM will provide an audible chime if the key is left in the ignition in either OFF or Accessory position with the drivers door open. The chime rate for this chime is 150 chimes per minute. The key in ignition chime has a higher priority than the lights on chime.
Lights On Audible Chime
The BCM will provide an audible chime if the park lights are ON and the drivers door open. In addition 1 of 2 other conditions exists. The key is out of the ignition or the key is in the ignition at the OFF position and has not been turned. The BCM will chime at a rate of 200 chimes per minute until the conditions are removed.
Occupant Restraint Audible Chime
The BCM will provide an audible chime based on the class 2 message received from the SDM if the drivers seat belt is not buckled when the ignition is turned to run or crank. The chime rate for this feature is 50 chimes per minute.
Park Brake Audible Chime
The BCM will provide an audible chime for park brake when the park brake is applied and the vehicle speed is higher than 6 mph. The chime rate for this feature is 200 chimes per minute.
Telltale Chimes
The BCM will provide 4 chimes for each I/P cluster light activation, per ignition cycle at a rate of 150 or 200 chimes per minute. The chimes are limited to 1 chime event per light for each ignition cycle. The power up light function will not activate the light chime function. If the light becomes active during a drive cycle then the chime will sound.
The following lights will activate the chime function:
- Air Bag Readiness
- Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
- Brake System Warning
- Change Oil Soon Indicator
- Charging System
- Decklid/Liftgate Ajar
- Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
- Engine Oil Pressure
- Low Coolant Warning
- Low Fuel
Battery Rundown Protection
Battery rundown protection, inadvertent power, is controlled by the BCM for all devices powered by circuit 1732. The devices include glove compartment lamp, rear dome lamps, cargo lamp, map lamps, reading lamps, sunshade mirror lamps and courtesy lamps.
Should any device be ON, the BCM will turn inadvertent power off after 20 minutes to conserve battery energy if there has not been an ignition switch transition to RUN or START, an RKE LOCK or UNLOCK, liftgate operation or a driver/passenger door open/close. Inadvertent power shutoff is disabled in ignition RUN or START.
IMPORTANT: To prevent battery rundown on newly delivered vehicles, inadvertent power is limited to 3 minutes until vehicle mileage exceeds 15 miles.
BCM Replacement
The body control module (BCM) is pre-programmed with software and calibrations for operation when received from the plant. The requirements for replacement of the module are located in the saturn service stall (SSS) Users Guide. In general, the existing BCM information is read from the controller and stored in SSS until the new BCM is installed. Then the option content, odometer, and other vehicle specific information, from the original BCM is written into the new BCM. If the original controller is unreadable, the option content for the specific vehicle will require input. Refer to Body Control Module (BCM) Programming/RPO Configuration on the procedure for programming a BCM.
BTSI Solenoid
The brake transaxle shift interlock (BTSI) solenoid is energized by the BCM switching circuit 816 to ground. When energized, the BTSI solenoid will allow shifting from PARK. A condition for shifting from PARK is that the foot brake must be applied. The BCM receives this information over the serial data link from the engine controller.
The BCM also monitors ignition 1 circuit 339 and ACC 2 circuit 743 to determine if the ignition switch is in the RUN or ACC position.
CAN/Class 2 Communications
The class 2 serial data circuit 1807 is used to communicate information between modules, for example the body control module and the engine controller.
Contained in each modules memory is a list of serial data messages that are important and should be received by the module. Also contained are the default actions to be taken by the module, if one of the important messages is not received in time. One of those important messages is the state of health (SOH) message. This message is sent by a module, if no other message need to be sent, to let all the other modules on the serial data circuit know the sending module is working correctly.
Each time the ignition is turned ON, all the modules on the class 2 serial data circuit first learn the other modules connected to the class 2 serial data circuit. Modules are able to learn the other modules on the serial data circuit because each of the important messages has a source identifier as part of the message.
This process of learning by a module allows the module to know if it has lost communication with a specific module on the class 2 data circuit.
The ECM, electronic brake traction control module (EBTCM), and the transaxle control module (TCM) communicate with each other over the CAN (controller area network) bus circuit 2501 and circuit 2500 (V6 only). The CAN bus is a communication link similar to class 2.
The BCM acts as a gateway between the other modules connected to the class 2 serial data circuit 1807 and the ECM, EBTCM, and TCM connected to the CAN bus circuit 2501 and circuit 2500.
State of health (SOH) messages are sent from the ECM, EBTCM and TCM to the BCM when the ignition is turned ON and during vehicle operation. These messages tell the BCM the ECM, EBTCM and TCM are working correctly. The BCM has an internal reset counter to monitor the status of the CAN bus. When the counter reaches a defined value and no CAN messages have been received from either the ECM, EBTCM or TCM, the BCM sets DTC U2104 - CAN Bus Reset Counter Overrun.
Coolant Level
When engine coolant is at the proper level, the low coolant switch is closed. When in this condition, battery voltage is applied to the low coolant circuit 1478 input of the BCM.
When coolant is below the proper level, the low coolant switch opens. Because no voltage is applied to circuit 1478 the BCM responds by sending a serial data message to the instrument panel cluster to turn ON the low coolant warning light.
The BCM has an internal timer, which will not turn ON the low coolant warning light unless the coolant level is low for greater than 30 seconds. The timer avoids coolant sloshing, falsely turning ON the low coolant telltale.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime running lamps (DRL) are controlled by the BCM based on input from the high beam headlamp circuit 1200, the low beam headlamp circuit 1201, the parking brake circuit 1134 and ignition switch state.
When DRL operation is desired, the BCM switches circuit 592 to ground. This action energizes the DRL relay. When energized, the DRL relay operates the left high beam headlamp and right high beam headlamp as a series circuit, 1/2 of battery voltage across each high beam headlamp.
When DRL operation is not desired, the BCM does not provide ground for the DRL relay. When not energized, as when high beam headlamps are desired, the DRL relay operates the right and left high beam headlamps as a parallel circuit, full battery voltage across each high beam headlamp.
For DRL operation, the parking brake must be fully released, the ignition switch must be in the RUN position and headlamp switch must be in the OFF position. Under normal operating conditions, the feedback voltage to the BCM measured at circuit 1200 is as shown in the chart.
Delayed Locking
The delayed locking feature will activate when a valid lock command is received from a transmitter while any door or liftgate remains open. The BCM will delay locking the vehicle until all doors and deck lid (hatch) are closed. The lock command will execute with in 500 ms after all doors and/or liftgate transition to closed. If during the delayed state a transmitter unlock command, door unlock switch input or the ignition switch changes state to other than OFF, the delayed locking command will cancel.
When the delayed locking feature is active in the delayed state the BCM will activate a chime at the rate of 50 chime per minute for a duration of 3 chime cycles. If the condition or state changes the chime will continue until completion of the chime schedule.
Device Power
Battery 1 voltage is supplied to the BCM by circuit 2540. Battery 2 voltage is supplied to the BCM by circuit 1640. These inputs are internally monitored by the BCM for proper operating voltage. The proper operating voltage range is from 9-16 volts.
Display Dimming
Display dimming is controlled by the BCM based on input received from the dimming potentiometer. The dimming potentiometer is connected between circuit 230 and circuit 470. The BCM monitors their inputs and provides a pulse width modulated (PWM) output at circuit 8 to operate the display lamps.
Dome/Rear Reading Lamps
Dome and rear reading lamp operation is through the BCM providing ground to circuit 156. When manually operated by their respective local switches, the dome and rear reading lamps are grounded through circuit 450 and the right body ground splice pack.
Door Locking/Unlocking
Door locking/unlocking, by remote keyless entry (RKE) or driver/all door lock switches, is controlled through the BCM.
When a driver door unlock has been requested, the BCM switches circuit 1391 to battery voltage. This energizes the driver door unlock relay which supplies power to the driver door lock motor. Grounding is achieved through the closed contacts of the all-door lock relay. Grounding is also achieved through the windings of the all-door lock motors and the all-door unlock relay.
When an all-door unlock has been requested, the BCM switches circuit 194 to battery voltage. This energizes the all-door unlock relay which supplies power to all-door lock motors. Grounding is achieved through the closed contacts of the door lock relay. Grounding is also achieved through the winding of the driver door lock motor and the driver door unlock relay.
When an all-door lock has been requested, the BCM switches circuit 195 to battery voltage. This energizes the all-door lock relay which supplies power to all-door lock motors. Grounding is achieved through the closed contacts of the driver door unlock relay and all-door unlock relay.
Lock/Unlock power application is limited by the BCM to 7 seconds to protect lock motors.
ECU Malfunction
The BCM performs an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) checksum as a part of its internal diagnostics as the BCM is operating. When the EEPROM checksum does not equal a predetermined value, DTC B1000 - ECU Malfunction sets. The checksum is the contents of each memory location in EEPROM added together.
Electric Rear Defogger
When the rear defog switch input circuit 292 to the BCM is momentarily switched to ground, as when the rear defog switch is pressed, the BCM will respond by grounding circuit 193, the coil of the rear defog relay.
This action energizes the rear defog relay providing power to circuit 293 - rear defog heater elements, circuit 683 - heated mirror relay coil and circuit 683 - rear defog LED. Momentarily switching circuit 292 to ground again will result in the BCM turning the rear defog relay OFF.
Front Washer Motor
The BCM monitors the front washer motor circuit 228. When a front windshield wash is requested for more than 2 minutes circuit 228 at battery voltage, the BCM will turn OFF the front wiper motor if the front wiper is not requested by the wiper switch.
Power for the front washer motor, and rear washer motor when equipped, is supplied through the front wiper fuse and washer switch. Grounding for the front washer motor is through circuit 550 or through the OFF position of the rear washer motor switch, when equipped.
Front Wiper Control
When intermittent or mist operation of the windshield wiper is selected, battery voltage from the wiper switch is applied to the front wiper input of the BCM. The BCM responds by switching circuit 1445 to ground. This action energizes the front wiper relay, providing low speed operation of the wiper motor during single swipes.
Control of the wiper during continuous LO or HI speed switch settings is direct wired from the wiper switch to the wiper motor and is not under the control of the BCM.
Fuel Level
The BCM receives fuel level data from the ECM over CAN. The BCM calculates the data and sends the result to the instrument cluster over class 2 to control the fuel gauge deflection. The scan tool supports a display for fuel gage position.
Grounding
Ground for the BCM is by circuit 151 through the I/P ground splice pack G201.
Horn
The BCM controls the operation of the horns for the security system and remote keyless entry (RKE) functions. Circuit 28 is grounded by the BCM when horn operation is desired. Normal operation of the horn is performed by the horn switch grounding the horn relay and is not controlled by the BCM.
There is a 30 second delay prior to setting DTC B2752 - Horn Relay Coil Circuit Low for grounded circuit conditions. It is possible to set DTC B2752 if the horn is operated by the horn switch for greater than 30 seconds.
Instrument Panel Lights/Gauges
There are several lights/gauges in the I/P cluster that can be controlled by the BCM. The BCM will send a class 2 message to the I/P cluster when certain DTCs set in the BCM. Refer to the specific BCM code in order to determine if an indicator was turned ON by the BCM. For a description on all I/P cluster lights/gauges, refer to the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Description and Operation and Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
Intermittent Wiper Delay
The intermittent wiper delay switch is a voltage divider connected across BCM inputs circuit 113 and circuit 96. The wiper relay is energized by the BCM switching circuit 1445 to ground depending on delay switch position.
The intermittent wiper delay switch has three switch positions:
- Delay 3 - 2000 ohms resistance
- Delay 2 - 1000 ohms resistance
- Delay 1- 500 ohms resistance
Refer to Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation in Wiper/Washer Systems for the timing of each delay position.
Key-In-Ignition
When the ignition key is seated and rotated in the ignition switch, the key-in-ignition switch contacts close grounding circuit 80. The BCM monitors the state of the key-in-ignition switch, the state of the ignition switch (OFF, ACC or RUN), and the drivers door to control the key-in-ignition chime.
Keyless Entry Transmitter
The BCM will fail DTC B3109 - Keyless Entry Transmitter Low Battery when the transmitter battery voltage is below 2.5 volts. Nominal transmitter battery voltage is 3.0 volts.
Liftgate Release
The liftgate on the Saturn VUE operates just as the other passenger doors do. The liftgate will lock and unlock using the RKE transmitters or the power door lock switch inside the vehicle.
Low Brake Fluid
Under low brake fluid conditions, the brake fluid switch closes. When closed, the brake fluid switch grounds circuit 333. The BCM responds by sending a serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to turn ON the brake system warning light.
Notification Feature
The BCM provides a notification feature that will unlock all of the doors if the vehicle is equipped with power door locks, turn ON the dome lamp and flash the daytime running lights (DRLs). The sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) will send the air bag deployed message to the BCM. The BCM will begin the notification event 15 seconds after receiving the message. The BCM will continue flashing the DRLs and keep the dome lamp ON until the ignition is turned from ON to Off then ON. The notification feature is enabled from the factory on all vehicles.
Odometer
The BCM calculates vehicle mileage from rolling count data sent to the BCM by a CAN message from the ECM. The BCM sends the mileage data to the cluster over class 2 serial data to display the vehicle mileage. The actual mileage is located in the BCM. All calculations for odometer are performed in the BCM.
Oil Life Reset
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a Change Engine Oil light being turned on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, reset the system by performing the following steps:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the engine OFF.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times within 5 seconds.
If the Change Engine Oil light is flashing, the system is reset. The light will flash for up to 30 seconds or until the ignition is turned OFF. If the light comes on again and stays on for 30 seconds at the next ignition cycle, it did not reset. You will need to reset the system again.
Option Configuration
The vehicle option content information must be entered as part of the BCM programming procedure. If the vehicle option content information is not included and programming procedure is completed, DTC B1001 - Option Configuration Error will set.
Park Brake
When the park brake input circuit 1134 to the BCM is grounded, as when the parking brake is applied, the BCM will turn ON the brake light in the I/P cluster by sending a serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC).
If the vehicle is moving at greater than 6 mph and the park brake input to the BCM is grounded, the BCM will sound the warning chime to notify the driver the parking brake is applied. DTC B0005 - Park Brake Switch Circuit Low will set under these conditions.
Park Lamp Switch
The BCM compares the state of the park lamp circuit 9 to the high beam headlamp circuit 1200 and the low beam headlamp circuit 1201.
Power Mode
The BCM monitors ignition 1 voltage circuit 339, ACC voltage circuit 743 and the engine run flag (ERF). The ERF is a serial data message from the engine controller. The BCM determines the state of the ignition switch for all modules on the serial data link.
Rear Washer Motor
The BCM monitors the rear washer motor circuit 392. When a rear windshield wash is requested for more than two minutes circuit 392 at battery voltage, the BCM will turn OFF the rear wiper motor if the rear wiper is not requested by the wiper switch.
Power for the rear washer motor is supplied through the front wiper fuse and rear washer switch. Grounding for the rear washer motor is through the OFF position of the front washer motor switch.
Rear Wiper Control
When operation of the rear wiper is selected, battery voltage from the rear wiper switch is applied to the rear wiper input of the BCM circuit 94. The BCM responds by switching circuit 2445 to ground. This action energizes the rear wiper relay, providing power to the rear wiper motor.
Security System
The PASSLOCK(TM) sensor is powered by circuit 812. The PASSLOCK(TM) sensor is grounded by circuit 1057. PASSLOCK(TM) sensor data is supplied to the BCM by circuit 1836.
The PASSLOCK(TM) sensor data supplied to the BCM is in the form of V-codes or voltage codes. When the proper ignition key is turned in the ignition switch, the correct V-code is supplied to the BCM. The BCM responds by sending a serial data password to the engine controller allowing the engine to run.
The security resistor is bypassed under a tamper condition, possible external magnet applied to sensor. In this mode, a specific V-Code is supplied to the BCM. The vehicle will not start in this mode.