Technical Service Information

GENERAL MOTORS
ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS
WITH MULTIPLE DTCs
COMPLAINT: A number of full size GM trucks, SUVs (C/K Body) and some cars (Y Body) with gasoline
engines and 6L80/90 or Hybrid 2ML70 Transmissions may exhibit the following complaints:
·The transmission may not shift or defaults to 2nd gear.
·The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated.
·Various instrument cluster warning lamps may be illuminated
·The door locks may cycle by themselves.
·The engine may not crank intermittently.
·A Driver Information Center (DIC) message may be displayed.
·Instrument panel gauges may fluctuate.
·Applying the brakes may cause the instrument panel to become erratic and chimes to operate
simultaneously.
·Loss of High Speed GMLAN Communications.

CAUSE: Depending on the vehicle and its equipment, any of the following diagnostic trouble codes may
be stored as current or in history:
·P0700 - Transmission MIL Request.
·U0073 - Control Module Communications Bus OFF.
·U0100 - Lost Communication With ECM/PCM.
·U0101 - Lost Communication With TCM.
·U0102 - Lost Communication With TCCM.
·U0109 - Lost Communication With Fuel Pump Control Module.
·U0121 - Lost Communication With ABS Module.
·U0140 - Lost Communication With BCM.
·U186B - Lost Communication With TCM.
·U0293 - Lost Communication With HP2 PCM.
·U1862 - Battery Energy Control, Module Lost Communications With Communications
Gateway Module.
·U1886 - Battery Energy Control, Module Lost Communications With ECM.
·U1888 - Hybrid Powertrain Control Module Lost Communication With Starter/Generator
Control Module.

These conditions may be caused by, but not limited to, any of the following:
·The terminal(s) for the High Speed GMLAN Serial Data Bus has backed out of the 16 pin
transmission case connector.
·The Terminal Position Assurance (TPA) Lock in the transmission 16 pin transmission case
connector is not fully seated.
·The High Speed GMLAN Serial Data Bus circuits are open or shorted to ground or chafed,
damaged, pinched.
·Corrosion in a Control Module connector.
·Intermittent or poor connections in the inline connectors containing the High Speed GMLAN
Serial Data Bus circuits.
·Water intrusion in a Control Module connector.
·A shorted or open Termination Resistor. Continued

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 Technical Service Information
GM ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS
WITH MULTIPLE DTCs
CORRECTION: ·When diagnosing a “BUS OFF” code, use a scan tool to see which modules on the BUS are able
to communicate. If no module on the BUS has communication, then it is possible that there is a
serious computer data wiring problem or the biasing module for the system is down. In some
cases a bad module can stop communications on the entire system in which case the modules on
the BUS will have to be disconnected one at a time unless the scan program can indicate that.
·Wiring will have to be checked for open or shorted circuits. Wiring can come into harms way in
places in the vehicle that are hard to see or access. Load tests are one way to check for wiring
problems. Resistance checks will show an open circuit.*
·Check all terminal pins that are relevant to insure none are bent broken or pushed back.
·Make certain that the transmission case connector TPA lock is fully seated.
·Check relevant connectors for corrosion, especially for “Fretting Corrosion” which is
sometimes hard to see.
·Since the data bus wires are routed throughout the vehicle, there may be numerous inline
connectors that may be the problem.
·Check for water intrusion in modules and connectors.
·Locate faulty Termination Resistors and replace them.

*Voltage carrying circuits shorting to ground can cause the following fuses to blow:
60A MBEC1 (#72) - Underhood Fuse Box
30A AMP (#40) - Underhood Fuse Box
15A RDO (#41) - Underhood Fuse Box
10A IPC (#46) - Underhood Fuse Box
15A AIR BAG BATT (#51) - Underhood Fuse Box
10A DSM - Driver Side Under Dash Fuse Box

·Inspect transmission case connector harness for damage by heat shield, retaining clips or heat
damage from exhaust and nearby components, Figures 1 and 2.
·Inspect transmission case connector wiring for unseated terminal ends, fluid leakage or water
intrusion, Figures 3 and 4.
·Inspect the condition of the Terminal Position Assurance (TPA) Lock in the transmission case
connector, Figures 5, 6 and 7.
·Inspect the transmission control unit connector pins for damage, Figure 8.
·Inspect the instrument panel wiring harness for incorrect routing and retention causing various
contact points that result in chafing damage, Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.
·Inspect wire harness routing around the adjustable pedal motor to insure there is no contact point
that can cause chafing, Figure 15.
·Inspect wire harness routing where it travels over the top of the transmission bellhousing and up
the rear of the engine and over the intake manifold for any contact points, Figures 16, 17 and 18.
·Inspect wire harness routing where it passes between the driver side body mount and chassis
rail, Figure19.
·When loss of communication is present, test for an open or shorted Termination Resistor, Figure
20.
·Inspect the C109 underhood fuse box connector for corrosion and that it is fully seated and
locked, Figure 21.
·Inspect the C115 Connector located above the driver side shock tower beneath the underhood
fuse box for corrosion or terminal end damage, Figure 22.
Continued

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 Technical Service Information
GM ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS
WITH MULTIPLE DTCs

CORRECTION ·Inspect engine wire harness where it is routed around the engine oil stand pipe for metal
Continued: retaining clip damage, Figure 23.
·Locate the Electronic Suspension Control (ESC) Module and inspect the connector. Check any
unused cavities for missing weather plug seals which will permit water intrusion, Figure 24.
·The Instrument Panel Junction Block Jumper Harness when damaged will cause a number of
DTCs to set, replace the jumper loop using GM part number 15127940, Figure 25, Hybrid
Applications Only.
·Inspect the Instrument Panel Junction Block Jumper Harness for contact with the I/P steel
support brace, Figure 26, Hybrid Applications Only.

SERVICE INFORMATION:
Termination Resistors that have become shorted or open will cause loss of communications. The
resistors are difficult to find due to the fact that they are located within the vehicles framework. A
good Termination Resistor will have a resistance of between 110 to 130 Ohms. If the resistor is
open then the bus circuit that is affected will be open at some point in the harness but not else
where in that circuit. A good tool for this purpose would be an audible circuit fault tester
sometimes referred to as the “Fox & Hound” Tester.
Typically the Termination Resistors are located on the rear most or the second rear most cross
member. They can also be located on the inner frame rail towards the rear of the vehicle. It differs
between model line so it will be necessary to consult an O.E. information source for resistor
locations.

CAUTION: This bulletin includes a high voltage hybrid vehicle, all high voltage safety
practices should be observed during any repair that puts the technician in close proximity to
high voltage components.

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 Technical Service Information
GM ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS
WITH MULTIPLE DTCs

WIRE HARNESS
METAL HOLD DOWN
BRACKET

Locate the transmission case connector wiring harness and Inspect transmission wire harness for damage where it is
inspect the harness for chafing at heat shield or hold down clamped by the metal hold down bracket. After wire
bracket or heat damage from exhaust system components. repairs be sure to wrap wires with a heat resistant material.
Figure 1 Figure 2

CHECK FOR FLUID BLEEDING

OUT OF WIRE CAVITIES

Before disconnecting the 16 pin transmission connector, Inspect wire insulation for damage or the presence of
inspect the wire entry points for poor weather seals or transmission fluid bleeding out of the connector.
backed out wire terminals.
Figure 3 Figure 4

When the TPA Lock sticks out as shown by the arrow, the TPA If the Terminal Position Assurance (TPA) Lock is off center in the
Lock is not seated. It can be reseated with a small bladed connector check window as shown by the gap at the arrow, then
screwdriver. Also check pin cavity fit. it is only partially seated.
Figure 5 Figure 6

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 Technical Service Information
GM ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS
WITH MULTIPLE DTCs

When the TPA Lock is centered in the check window as indicated Check the pin condition in the transmission control unit
by the arrows, the lock is fully seated. connector.

Figure 7 Figure 8

CHECK HERE
FOR CHAFING

HARNESS NOT
SECURED BEHIND
METAL CLIP
POSSIBLE POINTS
OF CONTACT

The instrument panel wiring harness has been routed outboard The instrument panel wire harness may be pushed up & forward
of the metal harness retaining clip which can cut into the wiring. until contact with the parking brake bracket, check for blown
The incorrectly routed harness creates a possible chafe point. fuses.
Figure 9 Figure 10

CONTACT POINT

THE IP HARNESS
RETAING CLIP
HAS NOT BEEN
FASTENED

The instrument panel wire harness is secured by a Gray retaining The instrument panel harness may be in hard contact with the
clip which snaps closed, the clip has been left open creating a top rear edge of the parking brake assembly.
possible harness contact point.
Figure 11 Figure 12

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 Technical Service Information
GM ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS
WITH MULTIPLE DTCs

CONTACT POINT

When releasing the parking brake pedal, the moving part at the This is the correct routing path of the instrument panel wire
end of the parking brake cable can come into hard contact with harness which insures that it is not close to anything that
the instrument panel wire harness. can create a contact point resulting in wire harness damage.
Figure 13 Figure 14

ADJUSTABLE
PEDAL MOTOR

CHECK HARNESS
ROUTING FOR
DAMAGED WIRING

Inspect for chafed, damaged or pinched wires at the adjustable Inspect for chafed, damaged or pinched wires that are outside the
pedal motor as shown above. conduit where the harness is routed over the top of the
transmission towards the top of the engine.
Figure 15 Figure 16

CHECK WIRE HARNESS

ROUTING OVER THE
INTAKE MANIFOLD

Inspect for chafed, damaged or pinched wires in areas where the Inspect for chafed, damaged or pinched wires that are outside the
protective conduit shows signs of damage by removing the wires conduit where the harness is routed over the intake manifold
from the plastic conduit. which has been removed for clarity.
Figure 17 Figure 18

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 Technical Service Information
GM ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS
WITH MULTIPLE DTCs

TERMINATION
RESISTOR

INSPECT HARNESS IN
BODY MOUNT AREA

Inspect for chafed, damaged or pinched wires where the wire The Termination Resistor is very difficult to locate because it is
harness passes through the body mount on the left side of frame typically located somewhere in the vehicle framework. Typically
rail. it is located on the rear cross member or inside frame rail.
Figure 19 Figure 20

INSPECT THE
C109 C155 CONNECTOR
CONNECTOR FOR PIN DAMAGE

Check for corroded or damaged terminal ends in the C109 Inspect the C115 Connector located above the driver side shock
connector located beneath the underhood fuse box. Check that tower beneath the underhood fuse box for corrosion or other
the connector is fully seated even though the lever is locked down. types of terminal end damage.
Figure 21 Figure 22

ESC MODULE
CONNECTOR
MAY BE MISSING
WEATHER PLUGS

INSPECT FOR METAL CLIP CHAFING

Where the engine harness is routed around the engine oil fill Locate the Electronic Suspension Control Module (ESC) under
stand pipe, inspect the harness for damage caused by the metal the rear of the vehicle, above the spare tire carrier & check for
retaining clip. missing weather plugs which permit water intrusion.
Figure 23 Figure 24

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 Technical Service Information
HYBRID APPLICATIONS ONLY
GM ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH MULTIPLE DTCs
IP JUNCTION BLOCK JUMPER HARNESS LOOP

When the Instrument Panel Jumper Harness Loop Connector (PN 15127940) is faulty it can cause DTCs C0242, P0700,
P0AC4, U0293, U0100, U0109, U0129, U0140 U1862, U186B, U1886 or U1888 to set. The loop connector will require
replacement using the above listed GM part number.
Figure 25

JUNCTION
BLOCK

IP
BRACE

JUMPER HARNESS
LOOP CONNECTOR

Inspect the Junction Block Jumper Harness Loop Connector for chafing on the instrument panel brace. The loop connector
connects to the lower rear of the junction block and is routed to the harness at the instrument panel steel support brace.

Figure 26

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