GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 2004 🢒 XLR 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC B1474, B2981, B3848, or B3849

DTC B1474, B2981, B3848, or B3849 DDM/PDM

Circuit Description

The left front interior door handle, left front exterior door handle, right front interior door handle and right front exterior door handle switch signal circuits provide inputs to the driver door module (DDM) or passenger door module (PDM) when an interior or exterior door handle switch is activated. These inputs allow the door module to detect a door open request. The door modules provide voltage to the door handle switches. When a door handle switch is activated, ground is supplied through the 12-way multi-splice connector assembly to G201. If the door module detects that a ground is applied for greater than 180 seconds, a DTC is set and the door module will ignore the door handle switch input.

    • DTC B1474 Right Front/Passenger Exterior Door Handle Switch Circuit
    • DTC B2981 Right Front Door Handle Switch Circuit
    • DTC B3848 Interior Door Handle Switch Circuit
    • DTC B3849 Left Front/Driver Exterior Door Handle Switch Circuit

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The DDM or PDM detects a short to ground on an interior or exterior door handle switch signal circuit.
    • Condition must be present for greater than 180 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • Stores DTC B1474, B2981, B3848 or B3849 in DDM or PDM memory.
    • The door module will ignore the door handle switch input.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC
    • The DDM or PDM no longer detects DTC B1474, B2981, B3848 or B3849 in DDM or PDM memory, and:
    • The DTC is cleared using a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids
    • The following conditions may cause an intermittent malfunction:
       - There is an intermittent short to ground in a door handle switch signal circuit.
       - An interior or exterior door handle switch is shorted to ground internally.
       - A interior or exterior door handle switch was activated for longer than 180 seconds.
    • If the DTC does not reset after the code is cleared, then the problem may be intermittent. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. Tests for the normal state of the door handle switch using a scan tool. The scan tool will display the normal state as Inactive, and Active when the switch is activated.

    2.

  2. Tests for a shorted door handle switch. If the door handle switch is shorted, the state will change from Active to Inactive when the door handle switch is disconnected.

    3.

  3. Tests for a short to ground in the door handle switch signal circuit.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Door Control Module Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Power Door Systems Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Vehicle Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the appropriate door handle switch parameter in the appropriate door module data list.

Does the scan tool display Inactive?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the appropriate door handle switch.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With a scan tool, observe the appropriate door handle switch parameter in the appropriate door module data list.

Does the scan tool display Inactive?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

Test the appropriate door handle switch signal circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the appropriate door module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

6

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the appropriate door handle switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

7
  1. Perform the power window reinitialization procedure. Refer to Power Window Reinitialization
  2. Replace the appropriate door module. Refer to Door Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 9

--

8

Replace the appropriate door handle switch. Refer to Door Latch Release Switch Replacement - Driver Side , Door Latch Release Switch Replacement - Passenger Side , or Front Side Door Handle Switch Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 9

--

9
  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 2

System OK

DTC B1474, B2981, B3848, or B3849 RCDLR

Circuit Description

The left front interior door handle, left front exterior door handle, right front interior door handle and right front exterior door handle switch signal circuits provide inputs to the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) when an interior or exterior door handle switch is activated. These inputs allow the RCDLR to detect a door open request. The RCDLR provides voltage to the door handle switches. When a door handle switch is activated, ground is supplied through the 12-way multi-splice connector assembly to G201. If the RCDLR detects that a ground is applied for greater than 180 seconds, a DTC is set and the RCDLR will ignore the door handle switch input.

    • DTC B1474 Right Front/Passenger Exterior Door Handle Switch Circuit
    • DTC B2981 Right Front Door Handle Switch Circuit
    • DTC B3848 Interior Door Handle Switch Circuit
    • DTC B3849 Left Front/Driver Exterior Door Handle Switch Circuit

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The RCDLR detects a short to ground on an interior or exterior door handle switch signal circuit.
    • Condition must be present for greater than 180 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • Stores DTC B1474, B2981, B3848 or B3849 in RCDLR memory.
    • The RCDLR will ignore the door handle switch input.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC
    • The RCDLR no longer detects DTC B1474, B2981, B3848 or B3849 in RCDLR memory, and:
    • The DTC is cleared using a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids
    • The following conditions may cause an intermittent malfunction:
       - There is an intermittent short to ground in a door handle switch signal circuit.
       - An interior or exterior door handle switch is shorted to ground internally.
       - A interior or exterior door handle switch was activated for longer than 180 seconds.
    • If the DTC does not reset after the code is cleared, then the problem may be intermittent. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. Tests for the normal state of the door handle switch using a scan tool. The scan tool will display the normal state as Inactive, and Active when the switch is activated.

    2.

  2. Tests for a shorted door handle switch. If the door handle switch is shorted, the state will change from Active to Inactive when the door handle switch is disconnected.

    3.

  3. Tests for a short to ground in the door handle switch signal circuit.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Door Control Module Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Power Door Systems Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Vehicle Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the appropriate door handle switch parameter in the RCDLR data list.

Does the scan tool display Inactive?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the appropriate door handle switch.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With a scan tool, observe the appropriate door handle switch parameter in the RCDLR data list.

Does the scan tool display Inactive?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

Test the appropriate door handle switch signal circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 5

5

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

6

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the appropriate door handle switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

7
  1. Perform the transmitter programming procedure. Refer to Transmitter Programming in Keyless Entry.
  2. Replace the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR). Refer to Remote Control Door Lock Receiver Replacement in Keyless Entry.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 9

--

8

Replace the appropriate door handle switch. Refer to Door Latch Release Switch Replacement - Driver Side , Door Latch Release Switch Replacement - Passenger Side , or Front Side Door Handle Switch Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 9

--

9
  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 2

System OK