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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.
* Review Strategy 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 park, tail, marker, and license lamps are turned ON when the headlamp switch is placed in the PARK or ON position or anytime the headlights are requested. The underhood fuse block supplies B+ to both the PARK LAMP relay switch contacts and the relay coil circuit. The body control module (BCM) provides a ground or control circuit to the PARK LAMP relay. When the park lamps are requested ON, the BCM energizes the PARK LAMP relay. Current flow is from the PARK LAMP relay to the individual park lamp circuit fuses and to their respective park, tail, marker, and license 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, command the park lamps ON and OFF with a scan tool. The park lamps should turn ON and OFF as commanded.

• If all park lamps are inoperative, Refer to Park Lamps Inoperative - All.
• If one or more, but not all, park lamps are inoperative, Refer to Park Lamps Inoperative - One or More.
• If the park lamps are always illuminated, Refer to Park Lamps Always ON.

2. Command the park lamps ON and OFF using the headlamp switch. Verify the scan tool Park Lamp Switch parameter cycles between Active and Inactive as commanded.

• If the parameter does not cycle between the specified values, Refer to Park Lamp Switch Malfunction.




Circuit/System Testing


Park Lamps Inoperative - All
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the PARK LAMP relay.
2. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 85 and ground.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.

3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.

4. Connect a test lamp between the B+ circuit terminal 85 and the control circuit terminal 86.
5. Command the park 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.

6. Connect a 10A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and the control circuit terminal 87.
7. Disconnect the harness connector at the left tail lamp.
8. Test for less than 5.0 ohms between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.

• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for a open/high resistance.

9. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal G and ground.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.

10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the PARK LAMP relay.



Park Lamps Inoperative - One or More
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate park lamp.
2. Test for less than 5.0 ohms between the ground circuit terminal listed below and ground:

* LF/RF Marker Lamp - Terminal B
* LR/RR Marker Lamp - Terminal B
* LF/RF Park/Turn Signal Lamp - Terminal 1
* LR Park/Turn Signal Lamp - Terminal B
* RR Park/Turn Signal Lamp - Terminal C
* License Lamp - Terminal 2


• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for a open/high resistance.

3. Park lamps ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal listed below and ground:

* LF/RF Marker Lamp - Terminal A
* LR/RR Marker Lamp - Terminal A
* LF/RF Park/Turn Signal Lamp - Terminal 2
* LR Park/Turn Signal Lamp - Terminal G
* RR Park/Turn Signal Lamp - Terminal G
* License Lamp - Terminal 1


• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.

4. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate bulb or lamp assembly.



Park Lamps Always ON
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the PARK LAMP relay.
2. Ignition ON, verify that the park lamps are not illuminated.

• If the park lamps are illuminated, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.

3. Ignition ON, connect a test lamp between B+ and the control circuit terminal 86. The test lamp should not illuminate.

• If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.

4. If all circuits test normal, replace the PARK LAMP relay.



Park Lamps Inoperative From Park Lamp Switch
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the headlamp switch.
2. Verify the scan tool Park Lamp 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.

3. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 2 and ground. Verify the scan tool Park Lamp Switch parameter is Active.

• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.

4. If all circuits test normal, replace the headlamp switch.



Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.

* Front Side Marker Lamp Replacement (Front Side Marker Lamp Replacement)
* Front Side Marker Lamp Bulb Replacement (Front Side Marker Lamp Bulb Replacement)
* Rear Side Marker Lamp Replacement (Rear Side Marker Lamp Replacement)
* Rear Side Marker Lamp Bulb Replacement (Rear Side Marker Lamp Bulb Replacement)
* Front Side Turn Signal Lamp Replacement (Front Side Turn Signal Lamp Replacement)
* Park/Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Rear License Lamp Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Tail Lamp Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Tail Lamp Bulb Replacement (Back Up Turn Signal) (Service and Repair)Tail Lamp Bulb Replacement (Stop Lamp) (Service and Repair)
* Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) (Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness))Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center) (Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center))
* Headlamp Switch Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for BCM replacement, setup, and programming


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