GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor contains 2 hall-effect switches in one housing. This sensor configuration produces 2 separate CKP sensor pulses. These pulses occur when 2 interrupter rings, mounted to the crankshaft balancer, the outer one containing 18 evenly spaced windows and blades, the inner one containing 3 unevenly spaced windows and blades, pass by the sensors. The 18X sensor produces 18 pulses per engine revolution. The 3X sync sensor produces 3 pulses per engine revolution, each pulse representing a pair of companion cylinders. Both sensors are connected directly to the ignition control module (ICM). The sensor wiring includes the following circuits:

    • The CKP sensor 1 signal circuit
    • The CKP sensor 2 signal circuit
    • A shared 12-volt reference circuit
    • A shared low reference circuit

The ICM uses the sensors to determine the engine position and speed. A signal converter within the ICM, using the CKP sensor 1 18X pulse, produces a digital 3X output signal to the powertrain control module (PCM) on the low resolution engine speed signal circuit. The PCM monitors the low resolution engine speed signal circuit for errors. If the PCM does not receive a signal from the ICM, DTC P0385 sets.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0385 Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor B Circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine run time is more than 3 seconds.
    • DTC P0385 runs continuously when the above condition is met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM detects a fault in the low resolution engine speed signal circuit for more than 8 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views or Engine Controls Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step  2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Observe the 18X Crank Sensor parameter and the Engine Speed parameter with the scan tool.
  3. Open the throttle and raise the engine speed to more than 2,000 RPM.

Does the scan tool indicate that the 18X Crank Sensor parameter is more than 2,000 RPM?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

Go to Step 4

Go to Intermittent Conditions

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the connector at the ignition control module (ICM).
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp to a good ground.
  5. Probe the low resolution engine speed signal circuit at the ICM connector with the test lamp. Refer to Probing Electrical Connectors in Wiring Systems.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Connect the test lamp to battery voltage.
  2. Probe the low resolution engine speed signal circuit at the ICM connector with the test lamp.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Observe the 3X Crank Sensor parameter with the scan tool.
  2. Probe the low resolution engine speed signal circuit repeatedly at the ICM connector with the test lamp.

Does the 3X Crank Sensor parameter change?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

7

Test the low resolution engine speed signal circuit between the ICM and the powertrain control module (PCM) 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 14

Go to Step 13

8

Test the low resolution engine speed signal circuit between the ICM and the PCM for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 13

9

Test the low resolution engine speed signal circuit between the ICM and the PCM for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 11

10

Test for an intermittent and poor connection at the ICM. 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 14

Go to Step 12

11

Test for an intermittent and poor connection at the PCM. 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 14

Go to Step 13

12

Replace the ICM. Refer to Ignition Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 14

--

13

Replace the PCM. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 14

--

14

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 15

15

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

System OK