GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cause

Correction

Abnormalities, severe cracking, bumps or missing areas, in the accessory drive belt

Abnormalities in the accessory drive system and/or components may cause engine RPM variations, noises similar to a faulty lower engine and also lead to a misfire condition. A misfire code may be present without an actual misfire condition.

Replace the drive belt. Refer to Generator Drive Belt Replacement or Water Pump and Air Conditioning Compressor and Power Steering Pump Belt Replacement .

Worn, damaged, or mis-aligned accessory drive components or excessive pulley runout

A misfire code may be present without an actual misfire condition.

Inspect the components, repair or replace as required.

Loose or improperly installed engine flywheel or crankshaft balancer

A misfire code may be present without an actual misfire condition.

Repair or replace the engine flywheel and/or crankshaft balancer as required.

Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement or Crankshaft Balancer Replacement .

Worn or broken piston rings

Oil consumption may or may not cause the engine to misfire.

    • Inspect the spark plugs for oil deposits. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .
    • Inspect the cylinders for a loss of compression. Refer to Engine Compression Test .
    • Perform cylinder leak down and compression testing to determine the cause.
    • Repair or replace as required.

Worn crankshaft thrust bearings

Severely worn thrust surfaces on the crankshaft and/or thrust bearing may permit fore and aft movement of the crankshaft and create a DTC without an actual misfire condition.

Replace the crankshaft and bearings as required.