GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 29560  Size: LF
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Engine Controls Components
APP Module, Wastegte, EGR, and EGR Vent
OBD II Symbol Description Notice

Circuit Description

The turbocharger wastegate is a vacuum actuated valve used to control the exhaust gas heat sent to the turbo. The wastegate pulse width modulated solenoid meters the vacuum level at the wastegate valve actuator as commanded by the PCM. When the PCM is commanding the Wastegate solenoid ON, the voltage potential of the circuit will be low (near 0 volts). When the PCM is commanding the wastegate solenoid OFF, the voltage potential of the circuit will be high (near battery volts). The primary function of the PCM in this circuit is to supply the ground for the wastegate solenoid. This is a type B code.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • PCM requested Wastegate solenoid ON.
    • Voltage on Wastegate solenoid control circuit high (near battery volts).
    • 2 consecutive faults detected.
    • Conditions met for 2 seconds.

or

    • PCM requested Wastegate solenoid OFF.
    • Voltage on Wastegate solenoid control circuit low (near 0 volts).
    • 2 consecutive faults detected.
    • Conditions met for 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

Low power.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM will turn the MIL off after three consecutive trips without a fault condition.
    • A History DTC will clear when forty consecutive warm-up cycles that the diagnostic does not fail (coolant temperature has risen 5°C (40°F) from start up coolant temperature and engine coolant temperature exceeds 71°C (160°F) that same ignition cycle.
    • Use of a Scan Tool

Diagnostic Aids

This diagnostic will set when control circuit does not follow the PCM command (when the solenoid is requested ON voltage will drop, when the solenoid is OFF ignition voltage will be present). The scan tool has a 5 second ON time abort. The wastegate solenoid can be commanded ON for as many times as needed, in 5 second intervals. Its possible DTC P0236 may set along with DTC P1656. This diagnostic can be checked during key up. The engine will not respond to scan tool commands at idle (engine unable to achieve boost pressures greater than BARO at idle) or at any engine speed greater than idle (PCM control abort to prevent engine damage).

Test Description

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

  1. Be sure that both the ON and OFF states are commanded. Repeat the commands as mant times as necessary.This Step will determine if this DTC is a current or intermittent.

  2. This check can detect a partially shorted coil which would cause excessive current flow. Leaving the circuit engerized for 2 minutes allows the coil to warm up. When warm, the coil may open (Amps drop to 'zero', or short (Amp draw greater than 0.75A).

  3. Listen for an audible 'click' when the solenoid operates.. This Step checks the ignition feed circuit for an open.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Important: Before clearing DTCs use the scan tool Capture Info to record freeze frame and failure records for reference, as data will be lost when Clear Info function is used.

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

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Scan tool connected.
  2. Ignition ON, engine OFF.
  3. Observe Wastegate duty cycle on scan tool.
  4. With scan tool, command Wastegate solenoid ON and OFF.

Does Wastegate duty cycle respond to scan tool commands?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3

  1. Ignition OFF.
  2. Disconnect the PCM connector containing the wastegate solenoid control circuit.
  3. Ignition ON.
  4. Using DVM J 39200 on 10 Amp scale, measure current from the solenoid control circuit in the PCM harness connector to ground for 2 minutes.

Is current draw less then the specified value, but not zero?

0.75 A

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Ignition OFF.
  2. PCM connector still disconnected.
  3. Disconnect wastegate solenoid.
  4. Using DVM J 39200 , measure resistance from the solenoid control circuit in the PCM harness connector to ground.

Does DVM display infinite resistance?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

5

  1. Disconnect wastegate solenoid
  2. Ignition ON, engine OFF.
  3. Connect a test light between the wastegate solenoid control circuit and the ignition feed circuit at the harness connector.
  4. Using a scan tool, command the solenoid ON and OFF.

Does test light turn ON and OFF with each command?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Ignition ON engine OFF.
  2. With a test light connected to ground, probe the ignition feed circuit at the wastegate solenoid harness connector.

Is the test light ON?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 12

7

  1. Ignition OFF.
  2. Reconnect solenoid.
  3. Disconnect the PCM harness containing the solenoid control circuit.
  4. Ignition ON.
  5. With a fused jumper wire connected to ground, probe the solenoid control circuit in the PCM harness connector.

Does the solenoid operate?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

8

DTC is intermittent. If no additional DTCs are stored, refer to Diagnostic Aids. If additional DTCs were stored refer to the applicable DTC table(s) first.

Are any additional DTCs stored?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

Go to Diagnostic Aids

9

Check for a poor connection at the wastegate solenoid and replace terminals as necessary.

Did the terminal require replacement?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 13

10

Repair wastegate solenoid control circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

11

Check for a poor connection at the PCM, wastegate control circuit.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 14

12

Repair the open in the ignition feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

13

Replace the wastegate solenoid. Refer to Wastegate Solenoid .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

14

Replace the faulty PCM.

Important: If the PCM is faulty, the new PCM must be programmed.

Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Is the action complete ?

--

Go to Step 15

--

15

  1. Using the scan tool, select DTC, Clear Info.
  2. Start engine and idle at normal operating temperature.
  3. Select DTC, Specific, then enter the DTC number which was set.
  4. Operate vehicle within the conditions for setting this DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic Ran and Passed?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 2

16

Using the scan tool, select Capture Info, Review Info.

Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

System OK