GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 197640  Size: SF
Engine Controls Components
Engine Controls Schematics
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

To provide the best possible combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emission control, a closed loop air/fuel metering system is used. When the vehicle is first started, the PCM controls fuel delivery in open loop, ignoring the HO2S signals and calculating air/fuel ratio based on inputs from the engine coolant temperature, throttle position, and mass air flow sensors. The PCM will begin using the HO2S 1 signal for controlling fuel delivery (Closed Loop). when the following conditions have been met:

    •  The HO2S output signal is varying, indicating that the sensor is hot enough to operate properly.
    •  The Engine Coolant Temperature sensor indicates coolant temperature above 20°C(68°F).
    •  Time since start-up is at least 15 seconds for a warm engine or 90 seconds for a cold engine.

The PCM monitors the amount of time for the cooling system to achieve closed loop operating temperature. This diagnostic is broken into three temperature regions. The diagnostic uses the ECT and IAT Sensors to determine which region to operate in. The time to achieve closed loop temperature is monitored. A time based decision is made depending on the temperature region. The diagnostic will monitor the following conditions prior to setting the DTC:

    •  Total airflow must exceed a calibrated amount.
    •  Engine idle time must be less than a calibrated amount.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    •  No active IAT or ECT DTCs present.
    •  Minimum air temperature is greater than -7°C (19°F).
    •  Start-up engine coolant temperature is below 40°C (104°F).
    •  Region 1--air temperature above 10°C (50°F) and the start up coolant temperature above 10°C(50°F).
    •  Region 2--air temperature above -7°C (20°F) and the start up coolant temperature between -7°C (20°F) and 10°C (50°F).
    •  Region 3--air temperature above -7°C (20°F) and the start up coolant temperature between -40°C (-40°F) and -7°C (20°F).

Conditions for Setting the DTC

Region 1:

    •  Engine run time over 150 seconds to achieve closed loop temperature of 20°C (68°F).
    •  Calibrated minimum amount of total airflow has been exceeded.
    •  Maximum idle time less than 125 seconds .

Region 2:

    •  Engine run time over 250 seconds to achieve closed loop temperature of 20°C (68°F) .
    •  Calibrated minimum amount of total airflow has been exceeded.
    •  Maximum idle time less than 200 seconds.

Region 3:

    •  Engine run time over 375 seconds to achieve closed loop temperature of 20°C (68°F).
    •  Calibrated minimum amount of total airflow has been exceeded.
    •  Maximum idle time less than 300 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
    • The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM will turn OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has run and passed.
    • The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • The DTC can be cleared by using a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

The DTC P0125 diagnostic test will not run if the engine is started while the coolant temperature is less than 0°C (32°F) or greater than 21°C (70°F). If it is not possible to operate the vehicle under the appropriate conditions, check the following items:

    • Cooling system coolant level.
    • Thermostat operation.
    • Cooling fans operation.
        Refer to Electric Cooling Fan Diagnosis .
    • Check for high resistance in wiring related to the ECT sensor. Also, check for poor connections at ECT sensor and PCM.
    • DTC P0125 set indicates a skewed ECT sensor. Comparing the engine coolant temperature displayed on a scan tool with actual coolant temperature measured with a thermometer may isolate this condition. If the displayed engine coolant temperature is not close to the actual coolant temperature, replace the ECT sensor.
        Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance table.
    • Poor connection at PCM.
        Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.
    • Damaged harness.
        Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the ECT display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the malfunction.

If DTC P0125 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Fail Records data can be useful in determining vehicle mileage since the DTC was last set.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. Comparing the engine coolant temperature displayed on a scan tool with actual coolant temperature measured with a thermometer may isolate this condition.

    If the displayed engine coolant temperature is not close to the actual coolant temperature, replace the ECT sensor.

    If the temperatures are close, the malfunction is intermittent.

DTC P0125 - ECT Excessive Time To Closed Loop Fuel Control

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain ON Board Diagnostic Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Allow the engine to cool completely.
  2. Start engine.
  3. With the engine idling, monitor Eng. Cool. Temp. display on the scan tool.

Does Eng. Cool. Temp. increase to above the specified value within 9 minutes?

20°C (68°F)

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 3

3

Are any ECT sensor DTCs set?

--

Go to applicable DTC

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Allow the engine to cool.
  2. Turn the ignition ON and observe cooling fans operation.

Are the cooling fans OFF.

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Electric Cooling Fan Diagnosis

5

Check the cooling system coolant level.

Is the coolant level OK?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 9

6

Check for proper operation of the thermostat. Refer to Thermostat Diagnosis

Is the thermostat operating correctly?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 9

7

Compare Eng. Cool. Temp. displayed on the scan tool to the actual coolant temperature measured with a thermometer.

Is the scan tool Eng. Cool. Temp. indication close to the measured temperature?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Check for high resistance in wiring related to the ECT sensor.
  2. Check for poor connections at ECT sensor and PCM.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

9

Repair condition as necessary.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

10

Replace the faulty terminal(s) or repair faulty wiring as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs or Repairing Connector Terminals in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

11

Replace ECT sensor. Refer to Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

12

  1. Allow the engine to cool completely.
  2. Clear DTCs.
  3. Start engine.
  4. With the engine idling, monitor Eng. Cool. Temp. display on the scan tool.

Does Eng. Cool. Temp. increase to above the specified value within 9 minutes?

20°C (68°F)

System OK

Go to Step 2