For 1990-2009 cars

## DTC B3881 or B3882 Sedan Hatchback

### Diagnostic Instructions

1. Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
2. Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
3. Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

### DTC Descriptor

DTC B3881 01: Tail Lamp Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B3881 02: Tail Lamp Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B3881 04: Tail Lamp Circuit Open
DTC B3882 01: Right Tail Lamp Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B3882 02: Right Tail Lamp Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B3882 04: Right Tail Lamp Circuit Open

### Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit | Short to Ground | Open/High Resistance | Short to Voltage | Signal Performance
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Tail Lamp | B3881 02 | B3881 04 | B3881 01 | --
Right Tail Lamp | B3882 02 | B3882 04 | B3882 01 | --

### Circuit/System Description

The headlamp switch is supplied with ground at all times. When the headlamp switch is placed in either the park or low beam position, ground is applied to the Tail lamp signal circuit to the body control module (BCM). The BCM responds by applying battery voltage to the left and to the right tail lamp control circuits. This energizes the tail lamps.

### Conditions for Running the DTC

#### B3881 01 or B3882 01

• | The ignition is turned OFF.

• | The headlamp switch is in OFF or AUTO position.

#### B3881 02, B3882 02, B3881 04 or B3882 04

The headlamp switch is in park or low beam position.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

#### B3881 01 or B3882 01

The BCM detects a short to voltage on the control circuit.

#### B3881 02 or B3882 02

The BCM detects a short to ground on the control circuit.

#### B3881 04 or B3882 04

The BCM detects an open control circuit.

### Conditions for Clearing the DTC

The condition for setting the DTC is no longer present.

### Reference Information

#### Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

#### Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

#### Description and Operation

Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation

#### Electrical Information Reference

• | Circuit Testing

• | Connector Repairs

• | Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

• | Wiring Repairs

#### Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

### Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, perform the appropriate Taillamp Command test. The appropriate tail lamp should be ON / OFF.

### Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the appropriate harness connector at the tail lamp listed below:

• | E42L Tail lamp left

• | E42R Tail lamp right

2. Test for less than 5 Ω between the appropriate ground circuit harness connector terminal listed below and ground:

• | E42L Tail lamp left harness connector terminal F

• | E42R Tail lamp right harness connector terminal D

⇒ | If greater than the specified value, test the appropriate ground circuit for an open / high resistance.

3. Connect a test lamp between the appropriate control circuit harness connector terminal listed below and ground :

• | E42L Tail lamp left harness connector terminal B

• | E42L Tail lamp left harness connector terminal E

• | E42R Tail lamp right harness connector terminal A

• | E42R Tail lamp right harness connector terminal B

4. Command the appropriate Taillamp Command test 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 appropriate control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM).

⇒ | If the test lamp is always OFF, test the appropriate control circuit for a short to ground or an open / high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K9 Body Control Module (BCM).

5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate tail lamp.

### Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

• | Tail Lamp Replacement

• | Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup and programming

## DTC B3881 or B3882 Wagon

### Diagnostic Instructions

1. Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
2. Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
3. Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

### DTC Descriptor

DTC B3881 01: Tail Lamp Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B3881 02: Tail Lamp Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B3881 04: Tail Lamp Circuit Open
DTC B3882 01: Right Tail Lamp Circuit Short to Battery
DTC B3882 02: Right Tail Lamp Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B3882 04: Right Tail Lamp Circuit Open

### Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit | Short to Ground | Open/High Resistance | Short to Voltage | Signal Performance
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Tail Lamp | B3881 02 | B3881 04 | B3881 01 | --
Right Tail Lamp | B3882 02 | B3882 04 | B3882 01 | --

### Circuit/System Description

The headlamp switch is supplied with ground at all times. When the headlamp switch is placed in either the park or low beam position, ground is applied to the Tail lamp signal circuit to the body control module (BCM) and the trailer lighting converter. The BCM and the trailer lighting converter responds by applying battery voltage to the left liftgate tail lamp and to the right liftgate tail lamp control circuits. This energizes the liftgate tail lamps.

### Conditions for Running the DTC

#### B3881 01 or B3882 01

• | The ignition is turned OFF.

• | The headlamp switch in OFF or AUTO position.

#### B3881 02, B3882 02, B3881 04 or B3882 04

The headlamp switch is in park or low beam position.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

#### B3881 01 or B3882 01

The control module detects a short to voltage on the control circuit.

#### B3881 02 or B3882 02

The control module detects a short to ground on the control circuit.

#### B3881 04 or B3882 04

The control module detects an open control circuit.

### Conditions for Clearing the DTC

The condition for setting the DTC is no longer present.

### Reference Information

#### Schematic Reference

Exterior Lights Schematics

#### Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

#### Description and Operation

Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation

#### Electrical Information Reference

• | Circuit Testing

• | Connector Repairs

• | Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

• | Wiring Repairs

#### Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

### Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, perform the appropriate Taillamp Command test. The appropriate tail lamp should be ON / OFF.

### Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the appropriate harness connector at the tail lamp listed below:

• | E43L Liftgate Tail lamp left

• | E43R Liftgate Tail lamp right

2. Test for less than 5 Ω between the appropriate ground circuit harness connector terminal listed below and ground:

• | E43L Liftgate Tail lamp left harness connector terminal B

• | E43R Liftgate Tail lamp right harness connector terminal E

⇒ | If greater than the specified value, test the appropriate ground circuit for an open / high resistance.

3. Connect a test lamp between the appropriate control circuit harness connector terminal listed below and ground :

• | E43L Liftgate Tail lamp left harness connector terminal E

• | E43L Liftgate Tail lamp left harness connector terminal C

• | E43R Liftgate Tail lamp right harness connector terminal B

• | E43R Liftgate Tail lamp right harness connector terminal D

4. Command the appropriate Taillamp Command test 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 appropriate control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate control module.

⇒ | If the test lamp is always OFF, test the appropriate control circuit for a short to ground or an open / high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate control module.

5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate liftgate tail lamp.

### Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

• | Tail Lamp Replacement

• | Control Module References for BCM or trailer lighting converter replacement, setup and programming