GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Table 1: Fuel Related Driveability Problems Table
Table 2: Idle Speed Control Check

Fuel Related Driveability Problems Table

Symptom

Action

Poor cold start

    • Low Volatility Fuel
    • Injector deposits -- Refer to Fuel System Deposits

Poor warm up

Low Volatility Fuel

Poor cold weather performance

Low Volatility Fuel

Poor hot start

High Volatility Fuel

Poor hot weather performance

High Volatility Fuel

Vapor lock

High Volatility Fuel

Spark/detonation

Low octane Fuel

Poor fuel economy

    • High Volatility Fuel
    • Injector deposits -- Refer to Fuel System Deposits
    • Intake valve deposits -- Refer to Fuel System Deposits
    • Low octane Fuel

Excessive exhaust emissions

    • Low Volatility Fuel
    • High Sulfur Content
    • Injector deposits -- Refer to Fuel System Deposits
    • Intake valve deposits -- Refer to Fuel System Deposits

Reduced Power

    • Low octane Fuel
    • Intake valve deposits -- Refer to Fuel System Deposits
    • Injector deposits
    • Improper Volatility Fuel

Rough/unstable idle

Injector deposits -- Refer to Fuel System Deposits

Always start with the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check .

The Powertrain OBD System Check table will identify other tables for specific checks, such as:

    •  Fuel System Pressure Test
    •  Fuel Injector Balance Test
    •  Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F)
    •  Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Outside 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F)
    • Idle Speed Control Check

Diagnostic Aids

If there is no fuel pressure be sure to check all component and circuit grounds.

Fuel System Deposits

Fuel system deposits can cause various driveability problems. Deposits usually occur during hot soaks after key Off. Poor fuel quality or driving patterns such as short trips followed by long cool down periods can cause injector deposits. This occurs when the fuel remaining in the injector tip evaporates and leaves deposits. Leaking injectors can increase injector deposits. Deposits on fuel injectors affect their spray pattern, which in turn could cause reduced power, unstable idle, hard starts, and poor fuel economy.

Intake valve deposits can also be related to fuel quality. While most fuels contain deposit inhibitors, some do not and the effectiveness of deposit inhibitors varies by manufacturer. If intake valve deposits occur, fuel may be suspected. These deposits can cause symptoms such as excessive exhaust emissions, power loss and poor fuel economy.

The fuel pump relay is located in the Rear Electrical Center located under the rear seat. Refer to Fuel Pump Relay Replacement . For diagnosis of the fuel pump relay circuit, refer to DTC P0231 Fuel Pump Feedback Circuit Low Voltage .

If there is a fuel delivery problem, refer to the Fuel System Pressure Test .

This test diagnoses the fuel injectors, the fuel pressure regulator, and the modular fuel sender. If a malfunction occurs in the fuel metering system, a rich HO2S signal or lean HO2S signal is a result. This condition is indicated by the HO2S voltage, causing the PCM to change the fuel calculation (fuel injector pulse width) based on the HO2S reading. Changes made to the fuel calculation will be indicated by a change in the long term fuel trim values which can be monitored with a scan tool. Ideal long term fuel trim values are around 0%; for a lean HO2S signal, the PCM will add fuel, resulting in a fuel trim value above 0% and for a rich HO2S signal the PCM will take away fuel, resulting in a fuel trim value below 0%. Some variations in fuel trim values are normal due to power train design. If the fuel trim values are excessively greater or lower then 0%, refer to DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1 , DTC P0172 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 1 , DTC P0174 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 2 , or DTC P0175 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 2 .

Always start with the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check .

If a malfunction occurs in the fuel metering system, it usually results in either a rich or lean exhaust condition. This condition is sensed by the HO2S, and causes the PCM to change the fuel calculation (injector pulse width). The change made to the fuel calculation is indicated by a change in the short term fuel trim and long term fuel trim values which can be monitored by a scan tool. A momentary change to the fuel calculation is indicated by the short term fuel trim value, while a prolonged change is indicated by the long term fuel trim value. Average fuel trim values are around 0%, but vary slightly from engine to engine.

Important: When using a scan tool to observe fuel trim values, remember that if the system is in control, no action is required unless a driveability symptom is present. Listed below are examples of lean and rich conditions with the system in control and out of control.

    • A momentary lean condition (system is in control) will appear on the scan tool as:
       - Short term fuel trim value above 0% (adding fuel).
       - Long term fuel trim value around 0%.
    • A prolonged lean condition (system is in control) will appear on the scan tool as:
       - Short term fuel trim value around 0%.
       - Long term fuel trim value above 0% (added fuel).
    • A prolonged lean condition (system is out of control) will appear on the scan tool as:
       - Short term fuel trim value well above 0% (adding fuel).
       - Long term fuel trim value well above 0% (added fuel).
       - If both fuel trim values are fixed well above 0%, refer items which can cause a lean system.
    • A momentary rich condition (system is in control) will appear on the scan tool as:
       - Short term fuel trim value less than 0% (reducing fuel).
       - Long term fuel trim value around 0%.
    • A prolonged rich condition (system is in control) will appear on the scan tool as:
       - Short term fuel trim value around 0%.
       - Long term fuel trim value less than 0% (reduced fuel).
    • A prolonged rich condition (system is out of control) will appear on the scan tool as:
       - Short term fuel trim value much less 0% (reducing fuel).
       - Long term fuel trim value much less 0% (reduced fuel).

Important: If both fuel trim values are fixed well below 0%, refer to items which can cause the system to run rich. If a driveability symptom exists, refer to the particular symptom in for additional items to check.

Idle Speed Control Check

Refer to
Object Number: 155141  Size: SF
Engine Controls Components
Cell 20: MAF and IAC
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
ESD Notice
for an electrical diagram of this circuit.

Circuit Description

The Idle Speed Control Check verifies proper IAC valve operation.

Diagnostic Aids

Reviewing the Failure Rec. may help diagnose an intermittent failure by showing how long ago and under what conditions a DTC has set.

Test Description

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

  1. This check test the IAC valve to make sure that it is moving in and out without binding. When the IAC valve is commanded the PCM adjusts the IAC position and spark advance for a desired RPM.

Idle Speed Control Check

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Connect the scan tool.

Are any other DTCs set?

--

Go to DTCs that are set

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Start and idle the engine.
  2. Turn all accessories Off.
  3. In Misc Tests select IAC System.
  4. Command the engine speed up 1500 RPM, down to 500 RPM then back to 1500 RPM while monitoring the Engine Speed display.
  5. Does the Engine Speed remain within the specified value of Desired Idle for each RPM command?
  6. If the Engine Speed was lower than refer to DTC P1508 Idle Speed Low - Idle Air Control (IAC) System Not Responding .
  7. If the Engine Speed was higher than refer to DTC P1509 Idle Speed High - Idle Air Control (IAC) System Not Responding .

Does the Engine Speed remain within the specified value of Desired Idle for each RPM command?

50 RPM

Fault not present

Refer to Symptoms