Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Circuit/System Verification
Review and understand how to use the Detected State section of the Data Bus Diagnostic Tool User Guide in service information web site prior to using the Data Bus Diagnostic Tool section in this diagnostic procedure.
Perform Circuit/System Verification using one of the following two methods:
Verifying the Serial Data Circuits using Data Bus Diagnostic Tool
- Using schematics and vehicle build information, identify all high speed GMLAN devices the tested vehicle is equipped with, terminating resistors, and each device location on the high speed GMLAN bus.
- Ignition ON/Vehicle In Service Mode.
- From Data Circuit input selection, select Terminal 6, 14 to test the high speed GMLAN serial data bus.
- Start the test and verify the Detected State parameter is displayed as OK.
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as Control Module Not AwakeÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Device Circuits.
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as Control Module Ground Connection MalfunctionÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Device Circuits.
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as CAN Bus [+] (pin 6) Circuit Shorted to High Voltage or CAN Bus [-] (pin 14) Circuit Shorted to High VoltageÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for a Short to Voltage.
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as CAN Bus [+] (pin 6) Circuit Shorted to Low Voltage or CAN Bus [-] (pin 14) Circuit Shorted to Low VoltageÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for a Short to Ground.
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as CAN Bus [-] Shorted to Bus [+]Â
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for a Short between the Circuits.
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as CAN Bus Open with one or more non responding high speed GMLAN devicesÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for an Open/High Resistance (Data Bus Diagnostic Tool).
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as CAN Bus Open and all high speed GMLAN devices are respondingÂ
Repair the open/high resistance in the circuit between the external terminating resistor and the closet responding device.
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as OK and none of the high speed GMLAN devices are respondingÂ
Repair the open/high resistance in the circuit between the X84 Data Link Connector and the first splice/device in the serial data circuit. If the circuit tests normal, check the MDI cable and the connection at X84 Data Link Connector prior to replacing the first device or splice pack.
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as OK and one or more high speed GMLAN devices are not respondingÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Device Circuits to test the non responding device closest to a responding device.
- Go to next step: If the Detected State parameter is displayed as OK and all high speed GMLAN devices are respondingÂ
- If the Detected State parameter is displayed as Control Module Not AwakeÂ
- All OK.
Verifying the Serial Data Circuits using Digital Multimeter
- Ignition ON/Vehicle In Service Mode.
- Verify two or more devices are not communicating on the high speed GMLAN serial data circuit. Refer to Data Link References to determine how many devices should be communicating on the high speed GMLAN bus.
- If only one device is not communicatingÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Device Circuits.
- Go to next step: If two or more devices are not communicatingÂ
- If only one device is not communicatingÂ
- Ignition/Vehicle OFF, all access doors closed, all vehicle systems OFF, and all keys at least 3 m (9.8 ft) away from vehicle. It may take up to 10 min for all vehicle systems to power down. Disconnect the scan tool from the X84 Data Link Connector. The following tests will be done at the X84 Data Link Connector.
- Test for less than 10 Ω between the ground circuit terminal 5 and ground.
- If 10 Ω or greaterÂ
- Ignition/Vehicle OFF.
- Test for less than 2 Ω in the ground circuit end to end.
- If 2 Ω or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
- If less than 2 Ω, repair the open/high resistance in the ground connection.
- Go to next step: If less than 10 ΩÂ
- Ignition ON/Vehicle In Service Mode.
- Test for less than 4.5 V between the serial data circuits listed below and ground.
- Terminal 6
- Terminal 14
- If 4.5 V or greaterÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for a Short to Voltage.
- Go to next step: If less than 4.5 VÂ
- Ignition/Vehicle OFF, all access doors closed, all vehicle systems OFF, and all keys at least 3 m (9.8 ft) away from vehicle. It may take up to 10 min for all vehicle systems to power down.
- Test for greater than 100 Ω between the serial data circuits listed below and ground.
- Terminal 6
- Terminal 14
- If 100 Ω or lessÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for a Short to Ground.
- Go to next step: If greater than 100 ΩÂ
- Test for 50 - 70 Ω between the serial data circuit terminals 6 and 14.
- If less than 35 ΩÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for a Short between the Circuits.
- If between 35 - 50 ΩÂ
There may be a third terminating resistor between the serial data circuits. This can happen if the incorrect device is installed. Some devices are available with and without the terminating resistors installed to reduce the need of terminating resistors in the wiring harness. Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for a Short between the Circuits.
- If greater than 70 Ω but less than infiniteÂ
Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Serial Data Circuits for an Open/High Resistance (Digital Multimeter).
- If infinite resistanceÂ
Repair the open/high resistance in the circuit between the X84 Data Link Connector and the first splice/device in the serial data circuit.
- Go to next step: If between 50 - 70 ΩÂ
- If less than 35 ΩÂ
- Refer to Circuit/System Testing - Testing the Device Circuits.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.