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SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS

Symptoms - Engine Controls

Symptoms Description

Driveability symptoms do not set DTCs. The driveability symptoms are defined below. Certain conditions can cause multiple symptoms. These conditions are listed together. Additional conditions that may only cause certain symptoms are listed separately. Perform the Symptoms Testing before using the Additional Symptoms Tests.

Symptoms Definition

Backfire:

Fuel ignites in the intake manifold or in the exhaust system, making a loud popping noise.

Cuts Out, Misses:

A steady pulsation or jerking that follows engine speed, which is usually more pronounced as the engine load increases. This condition is not normally felt above 1500 RPM or 48 km/h (30 mph). The exhaust has a steady spitting sound at idle or at low speed.

Detonation/Spark Knock:

A mild to severe ping which usually occurs worse while under acceleration. The engine makes sharp metallic knocks that change with throttle opening.

Dieseling, Run-On:

Fuel ignites in the intake manifold or in the exhaust system, making a loud popping noise.

Hard Start:

Engine cranks OK, but does not start for a long time. The vehicle does eventually run, or may start but immediately stalls.

Hesitation, Sag, Stumble:

Momentary lack of response as the accelerator is pushed down. This condition can occur at any vehicle speed. This condition is usually more pronounced when first trying to make the vehicle move, as from a stop. This condition may cause the engine to stall in severe conditions.

Lack of Power, Sluggishness, or Sponginess:

The engine delivers less than expected power. Little or no increase in speed when the accelerator pedal is pushed down part way.

Poor Fuel Economy:

Fuel economy, as measured by an actual road test, is noticeably lower than expected. Also, the fuel economy is noticeably lower than it was on this vehicle at one time, as previously shown by an actual road test.

Poor Fuel Fill Quality:

Difficulty when refueling the vehicle.

Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling:

The engine runs unevenly at idle. If severe, the engine or the vehicle may shake. Engine idle may vary in speed. Either condition may be severe enough to stall the engine.

Surges/Chuggles:

Engine power variation under steady throttle or cruise. Feels like the vehicle speeds up and slows down with no change in the accelerator pedal position.

Symptoms Verification

Perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic procedure. Verify that all of the following conditions are true:

Symptoms Testing

  1. Test for the following conditions:
  2. If the above conditions do not address the symptom, refer to the additional symptoms tests.

Additional Symptoms Tests

Detonation/Spark Knock:

Test the engine for an overheating condition.

Poor Fuel Economy:

Inspect for foreign material accumulation in the throttle bore, and for carbon deposits on the throttle plate and shaft. Also inspect for throttle body tampering.

Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling:

Inspect the engine mounts.

Surges/Chuggles:

Test the heated oxygen sensors (HO2S). The HO2S should respond quickly to a change in throttle position. If the HO2S do not respond to different throttle positions, inspect for contamination from fuel, silicon, or the incorrect use of RTV sealant. The sensors may have a white powdery coating and result in a high, but false, signal voltage, which gives a rich exhaust indication. The ECM reduces the amount of fuel delivered to the engine, causing a driveability condition.

Hard Start:

Hesitation, Sag, Stumble:

Poor Fuel Economy:

Engine Cranks but Does Not Run

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit/System Description

This Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic is an organized approach to identify a condition which causes the engine to crank but not start. This diagnostic directs the technician to the appropriate system diagnosis.

Diagnostic Aids

Inspect for any of the following conditions:
An intermittent malfunction may be caused by fault in any of the critical information or component electrical circuits. Inspect the wiring harness and the components for an intermittent condition.

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Attempt to start the engine. The engine should start and idle.
  2. If the vehicle passes the Circuit/System Verification Test, then operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that are captured in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records Data List.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition ON, observe the DTC information with a scan tool. Verify that DTCs P0685, P0686, P0687, P0689, or P0690 are not set
  2. Crank the engine for 15 seconds. Observe the DTC information with a scan tool. Verify that DTCs P0116, P0118, P0119, P0201-P0206, P0335, P0336, P0337, P0338, P0351-P0356, P0601, P0602, P0604, P0606, P0627, P0628, P0629, P1629, P1630, P1631, or P2105 do not set.
  3. Ignition ON, observe the Theft Deterrent parameter with a scan tool. The parameter should display Disabled.
  4. Ignition ON, command the fuel pump ON with a scan tool. You should hear the fuel pumpturn ON.
  5. Ignition OFF, install the fuel pressure gage.

Important :

  1. Ignition ON, command the fuel pump ON with a scan tool. The fuel pressure should be between 380-410 kPa (55-60 psi).
  2. Verify that the following conditions do not exist:

Fuel Pump Electrical Circuit Diagnosis

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) provides a ground to the coil side of the fuel pump relay. When the ignition switch is first turned ON, the ECM turns ON the fuel pump relay, which applies power to the fuel pump. The ECM enables the fuel pump relay as long as the engine is cranking or running, and crankshaft reference pulses are received. If no crankshaft reference pulses are received, the ECM turns OFF the fuel pump relay after about 3 seconds.

Diagnostic Aids

The following conditions may cause the fuel pump fuse to open:

Circuit/System Verification

Important : Fuel pump DTCs may set when using the Fuel Pump output control.

  1. Ignition ON, command the fuel pump relay ON with a scan tool. You should hear the fuel pump operate for 3–5 seconds and then turn OFF.
  2. If the vehicle passes the Circuit/System Verification Test, then operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that are captured in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records Data List.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, the fuel pump should not be operating.
  2. Test the fuel pump fuse. The fuse should not be open.
  3. Ignition OFF, remove the fuel pump relay from the electrical center.
  4. Ignition ON, test for battery voltage between the B+ voltage circuit of the fuel pump relay and ground.
  5. Connect a 15-amp fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit of the fuel pump relay and the supply voltage circuit of the fuel pump. The fuel pump should operate.
  6. If all circuit/connections test normal, test or replace the fuel pump relay.

Component Testing

  1. Measure for 70–110 ohms of resistance between terminals 85 and 86 of the fuel pump relay.
  2. Measure for infinite resistance between the following terminals of the fuel pump relay:
  3. Connect a 20-amp fused jumper wire from the positive terminal of the battery to relay terminal 85. Connect a jumper wire from the negativeterminal of the battery to relay terminal 86. Measure for less than 2 ohms between terminals 30 and 87 of the relay.

Fuel System Diagnosis

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/System Description

The control module enables the fuel pump relay when the ignition switch is turned ON. The control module will disable the fuel pump relay within 2 seconds unless the control module detects ignition reference pulses. The control module continues to enable the fuel pump relay as long as ignition reference pulses are detected. The control module disables the fuel pump relay within 2 seconds if ignition reference pulses cease to be detected and the ignition remains ON.
The fuel system is a returnless on-demand design. The fuel pressure regulator is a part of the primary fuel tank module, eliminating the need for a return pipe from the engine. A returnless fuel system reduces the internal temperature of the fuel tank by not returning hot fuel from the engine to the fuel tank. Reducing the internal temperature of the fuel tank results in lower evaporative emissions.
An electric turbine style fuel pump attaches to the primary fuel tank module inside the fuel tank. The fuel pump supplies high pressure fuel through the fuel filter, past the fuel pressure regulator, and through the fuel feed pipe to the fuel injection system. The fuel pressure regulator has a T-joint that diverts the needed fuel to the fuel rail with the unused fuel dropping back into the reservoir of the primary fuel tank module. The primary fuel tank module contains a reverse flow check valve. The check valve and the fuel pressure regulator maintain fuel pressure in the fuel feed pipe and the fuel rail in order to prevent long cranking times.
The primary fuel tank module also contains a primary jet pump and a secondary jet pump. Fuel pump flow loss, caused by vapor expulsion in the pump inlet chamber, is diverted to the primary jet pump and the secondary jet pump through a restrictive orifice located on the pump cover. The primary jet pump fills the reservoir of the primary fuel tank module. The secondary jet pump creates a venturi action which causes the fuel to be drawn from the secondary side of the fuel tank, through the fuel transfer pipe, to the primary side of the fuel tank.

Diagnostic Aids

Circuit/System Verification

Important :

  1. Ignition ON, command the fuel pump relay ON with a scan tool. You should hear the fuel pump turn ON and OFF for 3–5 seconds.
  2. Ignition OFF, all accessories OFF, install the fuel pressure gage.
  3. Ignition ON, command the fuel pump relay ON with a scan tool. Verify the fuel pressure is between 380-410 kPa (55-60 psi) and remains steady for 5 minutes.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the conditions of the customers concern while monitoring fuel related parameters with a scan tool.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition ON, command the fuel pump relay ON with a scan tool and observe the fuel pressure while the fuel pump is operating. Verify the fuel pressure is between 380-410 kPa (55-60 psi).

Important : The fuel pressure may vary slightly when the fuel pump stops operating. After the fuel pump stops operating, the fuel pressure should stabilize and remain constant.

  1. Verify that the fuel pressure does not decrease more than 34 kPa (5 psi) in 1 minute.
  2. Relieve the fuel pressure to 69 kPa (10 psi). Verify that the fuel pressure does not decrease more than 14 kPa (2 psi) in 5 minutes.
  3. Remove the fuel pressure gage.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the conditions of the customer concern while monitoring fuel related parameters with a scan tool.

Fuel Injector Coil Test

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/System Description

The control module enables the appropriate fuel injector pulse for each cylinder. The ignition voltage is supplied directly to the fuel injectors. The control module controls each fuel injector by grounding the control circuit via a solid state device called a driver. A fuel injector coil winding resistance that is too high or too low will affect the engine driveability. A fuel injector control circuit DTC may not set, but a misfire may be apparent. The fuel injector coil windings are affected by temperature. The resistance of the fuel injector coil windings will increase as the temperature of the fuel injector increases.

Diagnostic Aids

Component Testing

Verify the resistance of each fuel injector with one of the following methods:

Fuel Injector Balance Test

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Fuel Injector Balance Test Example

Cylinder
1
2
3
4
5
6
First Reading
360 kPa (52 psi)
360 kPa (52 psi)
360 kPa (52 psi)
360 kPa (52 psi)
360 kPa (52 psi)
360 kPa (52 psi)
Second Reading
195 kPa (28 psi)
138 kPa (20 psi)
195 kPa (28 psi)
195 kPa (28 psi)
235 kPa (34 psi)
195 kPa (28 psi)
Amount Of Drop
166 kPa (24 psi)
222 kPa (32 psi)
166 kPa (24 psi)
166 kPa (24 psi)
125 kPa (18 psi)
166 kPa (24 psi)
Average Range: 156–176 kPa (22.5–25.5 psi)
Injector OK
Fuel Injector – Too Much Pressure Drop
Injector OK
Injector OK
Faulty Injector – Too Little Pressure Drop
Injector OK

Circuit/System Description

The scan tool is first used to energize the fuel pump relay. The fuel injector tester is then used to pulse each injector for a precise amount of time, allowing a measured amount of fuel into the manifold. This causes a drop in system fuel pressure that can be recorded and used to compare each injector.

Diagnostic Aids

Component Testing

Fuel Injector Balance Test
  1. Ignition ON, with a scan tool verify that the engine coolant temperature (ECT) is less than 94°C (201°F).
  2. Ignition OFF, install the fuel pressure gage.
  3. Ignition ON, verify the fuel pressure is within 380-410 kPa (55-60 psi).
  4. Monitor the fuel pressure gage for 1 minute. Verify that the fuel pressure does not drop more than 34 kPa (5 psi).

Notice : Do Not repeat any portion of this test before running the engine in order to prevent the engine from flooding.

  1. Connect the fuel injector tester to a fuel injector with the amperage supply selector switch on the fuel injector tester to the Balance Test 0.5–2.5 amp position.
  2. Command the fuel pump relay ON with a scan tool and record the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gage after the fuel pressure stabilizes. This is the first pressure reading.

Important :

  1. Energize the fuel injector by depressing the Push to Start Test button on the fuel injector tester. Record the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gage after the fuel injector has stopped pulsing. This is the second pressure reading.
  2. Add all of the individual pressure drop values in order to calculate the total pressure drop. Divide the total pressure drop by the number of fuel injectors in order to calculate the average pressure drop. The difference between any individual pressure drop and the average pressure drop should not be more than 20 kPa (3 psi).

Fuel Tank Leak Test

Caution : Place a dry chemical (Class B) fire extinguisher near the area before performing a Fuel Tank Leak Check. Before removing the fuel tank for a suspected leak, make sure that the fuel pipes or the tubes are not leaking onto the tank. Once removed, make sure that the fuel is not leaking around the fuel sender O-ring. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Always perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/System Description

The fuel tank leak test is used to locate any fuel or fuel vapor escaping the fuel tank area. Fuel vapors escaping above the fuel level will be detected when the evaporative emission (EVAP) leak diagnostic completes one test cycle. The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate after the EVAP leak diagnostic completes 2 test cycles for a large leak or up to 8 test cycles for a small leak, only when a condition is detected.

Diagnostic Aids

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Verify that the fuel tank and the fuel pipes are not damage or leaking.
  2. Ignition ON, command the fuel pump relay ON with a scan tool. Verify that the fuel pipes are not leaking.

Important : Refer to the J 41413-200 Evaporative Emissions System Tester (EEST) operation manual for detailed instructions.

  1. Ignition OFF, install the J 41413-200and the GE-41415-50to the fuel filler pipe.
  2. Command the EVAP vent solenoid closed with a scan tool.
  3. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve to Nitrogen and verify that there is no liquid fuel leak while the system is under pressure.

Important : It may be necessary to partially lower the fuel tank.

  1. Using the J 41413-200 introduce smoke into the EVAP system. Verify that there are no vapor leaks in any of the following locations:

Component Testing

Fuel Injector Balance Test
  1. Ignition ON, with a scan tool verify that the engine coolant temperature (ECT) is less than 94°C (201°F).
  2. Ignition OFF, install the fuel pressure gage.
  3. Ignition ON, verify the fuel pressure is within 380-410 kPa (55-60 psi).
  4. Monitor the fuel pressure gage for 1 minute. Verify that the fuel pressure does not drop more than 34 kPa (5 psi).

Notice : Do Not repeat any portion of this test before running the engine in order to prevent the engine from flooding.

  1. Connect the fuel injector tester to a fuel injector with the amperage supply selector switch on the fuel injector tester to the Balance Test 0.5–2.5 amp position.
  2. Command the fuel pump relay ON with a scan tool and record the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gage after the fuel pressure stabilizes. This is the first pressure reading.

Important :

  1. Energize the fuel injector by depressing the Push to Start Test button on the fuel injector tester. Record the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gage after the fuel injector has stopped pulsing. This is the second pressure reading.
  2. Add all of the individual pressure drop values in order to calculate the total pressure drop. Divide the total pressure drop by the number of fuel injectors in order to calculate the average pressure drop. The difference between any individual pressure drop and the average pressure drop should not be more than 20 kPa (3 psi).

Intake Manifold Runner Control System Diagnosis

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/System Description

An intake manifold runner control (IMRC) valve is used to change the intake manifold plenum configuration. When the IMRC valve is open, the intake manifold is configured to one large plenum.
When the IMRC valve is closed, the intake manifold is configured to 2 smaller plenums. The IMRC valve improves engine performance at low and high engine speeds.
Ignition voltage is supplied directly to the IMRC solenoid. The engine control module (ECM) controls the solenoid by grounding the control circuit with a solid state device called a driver. The driveris equipped with a feedback circuit that is pulled up to a voltage. The ECM can determine if the control circuit is open, shorted to ground, or shorted to a voltage by monitoring the feedback voltage.

Diagnostic Aids

Inspect the IMRC solenoid valve for witness marks that indicate that the valve was hitting the intake manifold. This condition may be temperature related.

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, observe the DTC information with a scan tool. Verify that DTCs P2008, P2009, or P2010 are not set.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, remove the intake manifold runner control (IMRC) solenoid from the intake manifold, with the electrical connector connected.
  2. Ignition ON, command the IMRC solenoid ON and OFF with a scan tool. Verify that the IMRC solenoid operates in both directions.
  3. Inspect the inside of the intake manifold for the following conditions:
  4. Clean or replace the upper intake manifold.

Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/System Description

Ignition 1 voltage is supplied to the ignition coils. The engine control module (ECM) provides a ground for the ignition coil (IC) control circuits. When the ECM removes the ground path of the ignition primary coil, the magnetic field produced by the coil collapses. The collapsing magnetic field produces a voltage in the secondary coil which ignites the spark plugs. The sequencing and timing are controlled by the ECM.

Diagnostic Aids

Circuit/System Testing

Important : Do not perform this diagnostic procedure if you were not sent here from a misfire DTC or the Engine Cranks but Does Not Run diagnostic.

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector of the ignition coil.
  2. Ignition ON, load test for battery voltage between the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the ignition coil and ground.
  3. Ignition OFF, test for less than 5 Ohms of resistance between the ground circuit of the ignition coil and the negative terminal of the battery.
  4. If all circuits/connections test normal, replace the ignition coil.


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