wiring GMC SIERRA 1500 2011 Owners Manual

Black plate (46,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
3-46 Seats and Restraints
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are
parts of the airbag system in
several places around the vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing
the vehicle and the airbag system.
To purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑15.
{WARNING
For up to 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Is there anything I might addto or change about the vehicle
that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that
change your vehicle's frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors,
or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system.

Black plate (48,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
3-48 Seats and Restraints
Q: Because I have a disability,I have to get my vehicle
modified. How can I find out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?
A: If you have questions,
call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual.
See Customer Satisfaction
Procedure (U.S. and Canada) on
page 13‑1 orCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure (Mexico)
on page 13‑3.
In addition, your dealer and the
service manual have information
about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module and airbag wiring.Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance
or replacement. Make sure the
airbag readiness light is working.
See Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑20 for more information.
Notice: If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken,
the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag
covers, have the airbag covering
and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbag
modules, see What Makes an
Airbag Inflate? on page 3‑34.
See your dealer for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash
{WARNING
A crash can damage the
airbag systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system
may not work properly and
may not protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death.
To help make sure the airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon
as possible.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-20 Instruments and Controls
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
For vehicles equipped with the
passenger safety belt reminder
light, several seconds after the
engine is started, a chime sounds
for several seconds to remind the
front passenger to buckle their
safety belt. The passenger safety
belt light, located on the overhead
console, comes on and stays on for
several seconds, flashes for several
more seconds and then comes on
solid for several more.
This chime and light sequence is
repeated if the passenger remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in
motion.
If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
warning light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device. To turn off the
warning light and or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the safety belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag's
electrical system for possible
malfunctions. If the light stays
on it indicates there is an electrical
problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the
pretensioners, the airbag modules,
the wiring, and the crash sensing
and diagnostic module. For more
information on the airbag system,
seeAirbag System on page 3‑29.
The airbag readiness light comes
on solid for a few seconds when the
engine is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it fixed
immediately.

Black plate (43,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-43
As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull your vehicle over
to the side of the road and turn
the ignition off. Check the wiring
connection to the trailer and turn
the ignition back on. If this message
still displays, either your vehicle or
the trailer needs service. See your
dealer.
See“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑112 for more
information.
Door Ajar Messages
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the driver door is
not fully closed and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park). Stop and
turn off the vehicle, check the door
for obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a
chime may sound if the hood
is not fully closed. Stop and turn
off the vehicle, check the hood for
obstructions, and close the hood
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
(Crew Cab)
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the driver side rear
door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the front passenger
door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
(Crew Cab)
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the passenger side
rear door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.

Black plate (50,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-50 Instruments and Controls
Transmission Messages
SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
If the vehicle has four-wheel
drive, this message may display
if a problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this
message appears, stop as soon
as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Make sure the key is in the
LOCK/OFF position for at least
one minute and then restart the
vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message
is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the
four-wheel-drive system needs
service. See your dealer.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive the vehicle
while the transmission fluid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the warranty. Do not
drive the vehicle with overheated
transmission fluid or while the
transmission temperature
warning is displayed.
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the transmission fluid
in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission fluid temperature
high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to
cool. This message clears and
the chime stops when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message may display and a
chime may sound when one of the
following conditions exists:
.A trailer with electric brakes
becomes disconnected from the
vehicle.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stopped, this
message clears itself after a
short time.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message stays on until the
ignition is turned off.
.There is a short in the wiring to
the electric trailer brakes.

Black plate (51,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-51
When this message displays, power
is no longer available to the trailer
brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull the vehicle over to the
side of the road and turn the ignition
off. Check the wiring connection to
the trailer and turn the ignition back
on. This message clears if the trailer
is reconnected. This message also
clears if you acknowledge it. If this
message still displays, either the
vehicle or the trailer needs service.
See your dealer.
See“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑112 for more
information.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when ice
conditions are possible.
TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message displays briefly when
a trailer with electric brakes is first
connected to the vehicle.
This message clears itself after
several seconds. This message also
clears if you acknowledge it. After
this message clears, the TRAILER
GAIN/OUTPUT display appears in
the DIC.
See “TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT”
under Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5‑33 and“Integrated
Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑112
for more information.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
windshield washer fluid is low.
Fill the windshield washer fluid
reservoir as soon as possible.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location
of the windshield washer fluid
reservoir. Also, see Washer Fluid on
page 10‑29 for more information.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-7
Auxiliary
Roof-Mounted Lamp
If the vehicle has this feature, this
button includes wiring provisions for
a dealer or a qualified service center
to install an auxiliary roof lamp.
This button is located on the
overhead console.
When the wiring is connected to
an auxiliary roof‐mounted lamp,
pressing the bottom of the buttonwill activate the lamp and illuminate
an indicator light at the bottom of
this button. Pressing the top of the
button will turn off the roof‐mounted
lamp and indicator.
The emergency roof lamp circuit
is fused at 30 amps, so the total
current draw of the attached lamps
should be less than this value.
The attachment points for the roof
lamp circuits are two blunt cut
wires located above the overhead
console, a dark green switched
power wire and a black ground wire.
For more information on roof mount
emergency lamp installation, please
visit the GM Upfitter website at
www.gmupfitter.com or contact your
dealer.
If the vehicle has this button,
the vehicle may have the snow
plow prep package. For further
information, see
Adding a Snow
Plow or Similar Equipment on
page 9‑125.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
D(Instrument Panel
Brightness): This feature controls
the brightness of the instrument
panel lights and is located next
to the exterior lamps control.
Push the knob to extend out and
then it can be turned.

Black plate (82,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-82 Driving and Operating
Disconnecting the Rear Vision
Camera
The rear vision camera must be
disconnected if the tailgate needs
to be removed.
To disconnect the camera:
1. Remove the license plate.
2. Disconnect the cameraconnectors from the chassis
harness, located behind the
license plate, by pressing on the
release tab on each connector.
A. Chassis harness connector
B. Release tab
C. Camera connector
3. Plug the two exposed chassis harness connectors together to
prevent contamination.A. Chassis harness connector
B. Release tab
4. Feed the wiring harness through the pickup box, then plug the
camera connectors together
to prevent contamination.
5. Remove the tailgate. See Tailgate on page 2‑10
for more information.
6. Reinstall the license plate.
Reverse this procedure to reinstall
the rear vision camera and make
sure the grommet and connection
are secure.

Black plate (114,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-114 Driving and Operating
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 900 kg (2,000 lbs) needs to
have its own brake system that
is adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
If the vehicle is equipped with
StabiliTrak, the trailer cannot tap
into the vehicle's hydraulic brake
system.
The trailer brake system can tap
into the vehicle's hydraulic brake
system only if:
.The trailer parts can withstand
20 650 kPa (3,000 psi) of
pressure.
.The trailer's brake system
will use less than 0.3 cc
(0.02 cubic inch) of fluid from
the vehicle's master cylinder.
Otherwise, both braking systems
will not work well or at all.If everything checks out this far,
make the brake tap at the port on
the master cylinder that sends the
fluid to the rear brakes. Use only
steel brake tubing to make the tap.
Auxiliary Battery
The auxiliary battery provision can
be used to supply electrical power
to additional equipment that may be
added, such as a slide-in camper.
If the vehicle has this provision,
this relay will be located on the
driver side of the vehicle, next to
the underhood electrical center.
Be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included
with any electrical equipment that
is installed.
Notice:
Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended
periods will drain the battery.
Always turn off electrical
equipment when not in use
and do not use equipment that
exceeds the maximum amperage
rating for the auxiliary battery
provision.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with one of
the following wiring harnesses for
towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in
camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew
cab pickups have a seven‐wire
trailer towing harness.
For vehicles not equipped with
heavy duty trailering, the harness
is secured to the vehicle's frame
behind the spare tire mount.
The harness requires the installation
of a trailer connector, which is
available through your dealer.
If towing a light‐duty trailer with
a standard four‐way round pin
connector, an adapter is available
from your dealer.

Black plate (115,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-115
Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness
Package
For vehicles equipped with heavy
duty trailering, the harness is
connected to a bracket on the hitch
platform. The seven-wire harness
contains the following trailer circuits:
.Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
.Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
.Brown: Taillamps
.White: Ground
.Light Green: Back-up Lamps
.Red: Battery Feed*
.Dark Blue: Trailer Brake*
*The fuses for these two circuits
are installed in the underhood
electrical center, but the wires are
not connected. They should be
connected by your dealer or a
qualified service center. The fuse
and wire for the ITBC is factory
installed and connected if the
vehicle is equipped with an ITBC.
The fuse for the battery feed is
not required if the vehicle has an
auxiliary battery. If the vehicle does
not have an auxiliary battery, have
your dealer or authorized service
center install the required fuse. If charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, press the Tow/Haul Mode
button, if equipped, located at
the end of the shift lever. This will
boost the vehicle system voltage
and properly charge the battery.
If the trailer is too light for Tow/
Haul Mode, or the vehicle is not
equipped with Tow/Haul, turn on
the headlamps as a second way
to boost the vehicle system and
charge the battery.