The PCM identifies engine misfire by detecting variations in crankshaft speed. Crankshaft speed variations can also occur when a vehicle is operated over a rough surface. The ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) can detect if the vehicle is on a rough surface based on wheel acceleration/deceleration data supplied by each wheel speed sensor. This information is sent to the PCM by the EBCM (Electronic Brake Control Module) through the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster) over the UART serial data line. The PCM then uses this information to determine if the crankshaft variations are being caused by an actual engine misfire or from being driven on a rough surface.

If the ABS is found to be malfunctioning, the PCM will still continue to detect for misfire. However, if a misfire DTC is set, this additional DTC will also be set, indicating that rough surface data was not usable during the misfire detection due to the ABS malfunction.

The setting of this DTC indicates that a misfire was detected and that the PCM could not determine if the detected misfire was true or due to operating the vehicle on a rough surface. A misfire can be a true misfire with or without setting this DTC. Check the IPC and EBCM for poor connections at the UART serial data terminals. Be sure no true misfire exists after repairing the cause of this DTC. A DTC P1601 also set indicates that the fault may lie within the IPC serial data line, it's connections, or within the IPC.

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

1. The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored on the scan tool for later reference.

3. Be careful to clear only DTCs and not the captured information stored on the scan tool. The scan tool will issue a warning if this is about to happen.

4. Refer to the ABS portion of the service manual for ABS DTCs and repairs. Performing the ABS Diagnostic System Check is the first step in diagnosing a serial data problem.

5. A DTC P1381 being reset indicates that the PCM is not receiving serial data from the EBCM due to a EBCM problem.

6. When DTC P1381 is set, ABS serial data should not be able to be displayed.

7. Repair any condition that is causing a misfire by following the table for any DTC that has set.

8. Replacement PCMs must be reprogrammed. Refer to the latest Techline information for programming procedures.