GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provide an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0351: Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit

DTC P0352: Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit

DTC P0353: Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit

DTC P0354: Ignition Coil 4 Control Circuit

DTC P0355: Ignition Coil 5 Control Circuit

DTC P0356: Ignition Coil 6 Control Circuit

DTC P0357: Ignition Coil 7 Control Circuit

DTC P0358: Ignition Coil 8 Control Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit

P0300, P0351

P0300, P0351

P0300, P0351

--

Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit

P0300, P0352

P0300, P0352

P0300, P0352

--

Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit

P0300, P0353

P0300, P0353

P0300, P0353

--

Ignition Coil 4 Control Circuit

P0300, P0354

P0300, P0354

P0300, P0354

--

Ignition Coil 5 Control Circuit

P0300, P0355

P0300, P0355

P0300, P0355

--

Ignition Coil 6 Control Circuit

P0300, P0356

P0300, P0356

P0300, P0356

--

Ignition Coil 7 Control Circuit

P0300, P0357

P0300, P0357

P0300, P0357

--

Ignition Coil 8 Control Circuit

P0300, P0358

P0300, P0358

P0300, P0358

--

Typical Scan Tool Data

Engine Cylinders 1-8 Ignition Control (IC) Circuit Status

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Engine Running

Parameter Normal Range: OK or Incomplete

Ignition Control (IC) Circuit Status for Cylinders 1-8

Short to Ground/Open

Short to Ground/Open

Short to B+

Circuit/System Description

The ignition system on this engine uses an individual coil/module for each cylinder. The engine control module (ECM) controls the spark event for each cylinder through the eight individual ignition control (IC) circuits. When the ECM commands the IC circuit ON, electrical current will flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil, creating a magnetic field. When a spark event is requested, the ECM will command the IC circuit OFF, interrupting current flow through the primary winding. The magnetic field created by the primary winding will collapse across the secondary coil windings, producing a high voltage across the spark plug electrodes. The ECM uses information from the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor, and the camshaft position (CMP) sensor for sequencing and timing of the spark events. Each ignition module/coil assembly has the following electrical circuits attached.

    • An ignition 1 voltage circuit
    • A ground circuit
    • An IC circuit
    • A low reference circuit

If the ECM detects that the IC circuit has an incorrect voltage level, DTC P0351-P0358 will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • DTC P0351-P0358 runs continuously when the above condition is met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM detects one of the following failures on the IC circuit:

    • An open
    • A short to ground
    • A short to voltage

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0351-P0358 are type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0351-P0358 are type B DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

    • This test procedure requires that the vehicle battery has passed a load test and is completely charged. Refer to Battery Inspection/Test .
    • A high resistance condition on any ignition control (IC) circuit can cause an engine misfire without setting a P0351-P0358 DTC.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Electronic Ignition (EI) System Description

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Start and run the engine.
  2. Observe the Misfire Current counters using the scan tool. The counters should not be incrementing.
  3. If the counters are incrementing for any of the cylinders, continue with Circuit/System Testing.
    If the vehicle passes the Circuit/System Verification Test, then operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that are captured in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records Data List.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ECM C2 harness connector.
  3. Important: A high resistance on any IC circuit can cause a misfire before the DTC sets.

  4. Test the affected IC circuit for the following:
  5. • Short to voltage
    • Short to ground
    • Open/high resistance
         ⇒If a fault is found, repair the circuit as needed.
  6. Connect the ECM the C2 harness connector.
  7. Exchange the affected ignition coil/module, with the ignition coil/module of a cylinder that is not affected.
  8. Start the engine and observe the scan tool.
  9. If the DTC or the misfire transfers with the suspect ignition coil/module, replace that ignition coil/module assembly.
    If the DTC or the misfire does not transfer with the suspect ignition coil/module, replace the ECM.

Repair Instructions

    •  Ignition Coil Replacement .
    •  Engine Control Module Replacement and Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming

Repair Verification

  1. Operate the vehicle at 2,500 RPM, for 5 minutes.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running DTCs P0420 or P0430. Refer to DTC P0420 or P0430 . If DTC P0420 or P0430 runs and fails, then diagnosis those DTCs.
  3. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  4. Turn OFF the ignition for one minute.