GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

System Description

The engine control module (ECM) uses information from the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor and the camshaft position (CMP) sensor in order to determine when an engine misfire is occurring. By monitoring variations in the crankshaft rotation speed for each cylinder, the ECM is able to detect individual misfire events. A misfire rate that is high enough can cause 3-way catalytic converter damage. The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will flash ON and OFF when the conditions for catalytic converter damage are preset. DTCs P0301-P0308 correspond to cylinders 1-6. If the ECM is able to determine that a specific cylinder is misfiring, the DTC for that cylinder will set.

DTC Descriptors

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTCs:

    • DTC P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
    • DTC P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
    • DTC P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
    • DTC P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
    • DTC P0305 Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
    • DTC P0306 Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected
    • DTC P0307 Cylinder 7 Misfire Detected
    • DTC P0308 Cylinder 8 Misfire Detected

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0102, P0103, P0315, P0335, P0336, P0365, P0366, or P0390 are not set.
    • The engine speed is between 500-6,496 RPM.
    • The engine load is more than 0 percent.
    • The torque management is not active.
    • The fuel level is more than 10.5 liters (3 gallons).
    • The antilock brake system (ABS) is not active.
    • The ECM is not receiving a rough road signal.
    • The ECM is not in fuel shut-off or decel mode.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is more than -7.5°C (+18.5°F).
    • DTC P0301-P0308 run continuously once the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM is detecting a crankshaft rotation speed variation indicating a misfire rate sufficient to cause emissions levels to exceed mandated standards.

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 ECM turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips that the diagnostic runs and does not fail within the same conditions that the DTC last failed.
    • A History DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles if no failures report by this diagnostic or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • The DTC can be cleared with a scan tool

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

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. Allow the engine to idle or operate within the conditions listed in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.
  3. Monitor all of the misfire counters with the scan tool.

Are any of the misfire counters incrementing?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Intermittent Conditions

3

Are any DTCs other than DTC P0300 set?

--

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

Go to Step 4

4

Can any abnormal engine noise be heard?

--

Go to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition
  2. Remove the fuel pump relay. Refer to Relay Replacement in Wiring Systems
  3. Remove the ignition coil assembly from the affected bank. Do not disconnect any electrical connectors from the ignition coil assembly. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 1 or Ignition Coil Replacement - Bank 2 .
  4. Install the J 36012-A Ignition Diagnostic Harness.
  5. Install the J 26792 Spark Tester on the affected cylinder spark plug jumper wires.
  6. Crank the engine with the remaining spark plug jumper wires connected.

Did the spark tester spark?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Inspect the affected cylinder spark plug boot for a missing or damaged ignition coil spring.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis

7

  1. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder that indicated a misfire.
  2. Inspect the spark plug. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .

Does the spark plug appear to be OK?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

8

  1. Exchange the suspected spark plug with another cylinder that is operating properly. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .
  2. Operate the vehicle under the same conditions that the misfire occurred.

Did the misfire move with the spark plug?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 12

9

Is the spark plug oil or coolant fouled?

--

Go to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical

Go to Step 10

10

Is the spark plug gas fouled?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

11

Does the spark plug show any signs of being cracked, worn, or improperly gapped?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

12

Perform the fuel injector coil test. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical

13

Replace or gap the spark plug. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement . If an improper gap is found, be sure to gap the spark plugs using a wire type gage.

Did you complete the action?

--

Go to Step 15

--

14

Replace the faulty spark plug. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

15

Was the customer concern the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) flashing?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 17

16

  1. Operate the vehicle at the specified value for 4 minutes.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC P0420 as specified in the supporting text. Refer to DTC P0420 or P0430 .

Does the DTC run and pass?

2,500 RPM

Go to Step 17

Go to DTC P0420 or P0430

17

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  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 2

Go to Step 18

18

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