GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Body Function Controller (BFC)

The theft deterrent system's logic is contained within the Body Function Controller (BFC). The BFC reads the Passlock® cylinder data from the Passlock® lock cylinder within a certain timing window. If the Passlock® cylinder data is correct and within the timed window, the BFC completes the following functions:

    • Passes theft
    • Transmits the coded password to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

The BFC may enter a theft mode in one of the two following ways:

    • A bad timing cycle
    • Bad Passlock® cylinder data

If the Passlock® cylinder data is not read within the timed window, the vehicle theft deterrent enters a short tamper mode during which the following results occur:

    • The PCM will not allow the car to operate for four seconds.
    • The BFC will send a SPI serial data message to the instrument cluster.
    • The THEFT SYSTEM indicator will flash.

After three consecutive failed timings, the Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) enters a long tamper mode. In this mode, the following actions occur:

    • The BFC sends a SPI serial data message to the instrument cluster.
    • The THEFT SYSTEM indicator flashes.
    • The fuel injectors are disabled for approximately 10 minutes.

Important: The vehicle may start before any tamper mode. However, the car will quickly stall. If the BFC receives the wrong Passlock® data, the VTD immediately enters the long tamper mode. The vehicle's fuel injectors will be locked-out for 10 minutes.

The THEFT SYSTEM indicator flashes when the VTD is in any tamper mode. The BFC continually verifies the operation of the VTD during the operation of the vehicle. If the THEFT SYSTEM indicator lights continuously during vehicle operation, refer to Content Theft Deterrent (CTD) System Check .

The BFC performs the following functions:

   • A/C compressor request
   • A/C cooling fan control
   • Exterior and interior lighting control
   • Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
   • Automatic lighting control
   • Fog lamps
   • Interior lighting
   • Battery rundown
   • Chime control
   • Gauge control
   • Instrument cluster indicator control
   • Fuel gauge control
   • Temperature gauge control
   • Theft deterrent
For more information, refer to Body Control System Operation in Body Control Systems.

Class 2 Data Line

Class 2 data is a higher speed data transmission. In order to control the serial data line traffic, Class 2 uses the peer to peer method along with message arbitration in order to manage the data line traffic. The following control modules are on the Class 2 data line:

    • The Body Function Controller (BFC)
    • The Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM)
    • The Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) Data Line

The Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) is a three wire interface connecting the BFC to the instrument cluster. This arrangement allows for the BFC and the instrument cluster to exchange information. The interface is a synchronous serial data link where the BFC is the master and the instrument cluster is the slave. The modules on the different serial data links need to communicate with each other. The BFC acts as an interpreter, or master, for data communication between the Class 2 and the SPI data lines.

Driver Warning System

The BFC is responsible for completing the following tasks:

  1. Interpreting all of the driver warnings sent by the control modules on the Class 2 serial data line
  2. Sending that information on to the instrument cluster in the form of a SPI serial data bus message

The following list of messages are sent by the BFC to the instrument cluster:

    • Fuel Gauge Position
    • Temperature Gauge Position
    • Oil Pressure
    • Low Engine Coolant
    • Check Oil
    • Volts
    • ABS
    • High Beam
    • Low Fuel
    • High Temperature
    • Washer Fluid Level Low
    • CRUISE
    • BRAKE
    • SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
    • Door Ajar
    • Seat Belt
    • THEFT SYSTEM
    • PRNDL