GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The barometric pressure sensor (BARO) responds to changes in altitude and atmospheric conditions. This gives the engine control module (ECM) an indication of barometric pressure. The ECM uses this information to calculate fuel delivery. The BARO sensor has a 5-volt reference circuit, a low reference circuit, and a signal circuit. The ECM supplies 5 volts to the BARO sensor on the 5-volt reference 2 circuit, and provides a ground on a low reference circuit. The BARO sensor provides a signal to the ECM on a signal circuit relative to the pressure changes. The ECM monitors the BARO sensor signal for voltage outside of the normal range. The ECM compares the BARO sensor to the Boost sensor. This DTC will set if the difference between the two sensors is more than a predetermined amount.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0102, P0103, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0237, P0238, P0335, P0336, or P0500 is not set.
    • The engine speed is between 500-900 RPM.
    • The engine run time is more than 20 seconds.
    • The accelerator pedal angle is less than 60 percent.
    • The vehicle speed is less than 40 km/h (25 mph).
    • The mass air flow (MAF) is less than 50 g/sec.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is more than:
      • 80° C (176° F) for Federal Emissions systems.
      • or
      • 72° C (162° F) for California Emissions systems
    • The positive take off (PTO) is OFF.
    • The above conditions exist for 5 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • Federal: The difference between the BARO sensor and the Boost sensor is more than 30 kPa for 2 seconds.
        or
    • California: The difference between the BARO sensor and the Boost sensor is more than 10 kPa for 2 seconds.

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 control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step tests the BARO sensors ability to correctly indicate barometric pressure. The value shown for the BARO sensor varies with altitude. 103 kPa is the approximate barometric pressure (BARO) displayed at or near sea level.

  2. This step tests for a sensor stuck in range .

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Using the scan tool, monitor the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) information.

Does the scan tool indicate that any other DTCs are current?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Inspect the BARO sensor for a plugged port.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Observe the BARO sensor pressure on the scan tool.
  3. Compare the BARO sensor pressure observed, to the BARO sensor pressure of a known good vehicle.

Does the scan tool indicate that the pressure difference between the two vehicles is more than the specified value?

5 kPa

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Connect a J 23738-A Hand Vacuum Pump to the BARO sensor.
  2. Leave the electrical harness connected.
  3. Observe the BARO sensor pressure as you SLOWLY apply vacuum 1 inch HG at a time up to 15 inches Hg. Each inch of vacuum should result in a 3-4 kPa drop in the BARO sensor display.

Does the scan tool indicate the BARO sensor is operating normally?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

Disconnect the hand vacuum pump from the sensor.

Does the scan tool indicate that the BARO sensor pressure returns to the value observed in Step 4?

--

Go to Intermittent Conditions

Go to Step 11

7

  1. Disconnect the BARO sensor electrical connector.
  2. Connect a test lamp to battery voltage.
  3. Probe the low reference circuit of the BARO sensor.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

8

Test the low reference circuit of the BARO sensor for an open. Refer to Testing for Continuity and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

9

Inspect the BARO sensor for poor connections. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

10

Inspect the ECM for poor connections. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

11

Replace the BARO sensor. Refer to Barometric Pressure Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC run and pass?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 2

14

With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK