B2524

Step 1: Perform visual inspection of license plate lamp assembly, socket, and all visible wiring for signs of damage, melting, chafing, water intrusion, or corrosion. Pay special attention to areas where wiring passes through metal panels or near moving parts.

Step 2: Disconnect the license plate lamp connector at the lamp assembly. Using a digital multimeter, measure voltage at the vehicle-side connector with ignition on and lights off. Should read 0V; if battery voltage is present, the short is in the vehicle wiring harness between BCM and connector.

Step 3: If no voltage found at disconnected connector, inspect the lamp socket and bulb for signs of internal shorting, corrosion, or damaged contacts. Ohm-test the lamp assembly ground circuit to body ground to verify proper ground path (should read less than 1 ohm).

Step 4: With lamp still disconnected, clear the code and monitor. If code returns immediately, trace wiring harness from BCM to lamp connector checking for pinched, chafed, or damaged wires. Use wiring diagram to identify circuit path and check for voltage at intermediate connectors to isolate fault location.

Step 5: If all wiring and lamp assembly test normal but code persists, suspect BCM internal fault. Test BCM output pin directly with lamp circuit disconnected - should show 0V with lamps commanded off. Presence of voltage indicates failed BCM output driver.

Step 6: After repair, reconnect all components, clear codes, cycle ignition and lighting controls multiple times, and verify proper lamp operation and no code recurrence before completing repair.