GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Fuel System Diagnosis SFI

Fuel Pump Relay

The fuel pump relay is located in the glove box. For diagnosis of the fuel pump relay circuit, refer to Engine Cranks But Will Not Run (Fuel Pump Circuit. Refer to Engine Cranks but Does Not Run .

Oil Pressure Switch

The oil pressure switch is mounted to the engine beneath the lower manifold assembly. For diagnosis of the fuel pump relay circuit, refer to the Engine Cranks but Does Not Run .

Fuel Metering System

Some failures of this system will result in an engine cranks but will not run symptom. If this condition exists, refer to Engine Cranks but Does Not Run .

This table will determines if the problem is caused by the ignition system, the PCM, or the fuel pump circuit. If a fuel problem exists, use the Fuel System Pressure Test. This includes the fuel injectors, the fuel pressure regulator, the fuel pump, and the fuel pump relay. The fuel system wiring schematic diagram is covered on the facing page of Engine Cranks But Will Not Run 2.2L SFI and Engine Cranks But Will Not Run (Fuel Pump Circuit).

If a problem occurs in the fuel metering system, it usually results in either a rich or lean O2S signal. This causes the PCM to change the fuel calculation (injector pulse width). The change made to the fuel calculation is indicated by a change in the short and long term fuel trim values which a scan tool can monitor. The short term fuel trim value indicates a momentary change to the calculation. The long term fuel trim value indicates a prolonged change. Average fuel trim values will measure around 128, but the average fuel trim value will vary slightly from engine to engine.

Important: When using a scan tool to observe the fuel trim values, remember that if the system is in control, no action is required unless a driveability symptom is present.

Listed below are examples of lean and rich conditions with the system in control and out of control.

    • A momentary lean O2S signal (system is in control) will appear on the scan tool as the following items:
       - A short term fuel trim value above 128 (adding fuel)
       - A long term fuel trim value around 128
    • A prolonged lean O2S signal (system is in control) will appear on the scan tool as the following items:
       - A short term fuel trim value around 128
       - A long term fuel trim value above 128 (added fuel)
    • A prolonged lean O2S signal (system is out of control) will appear on the scan tool as the following items:
       - A short term fuel trim value well above 128 (adding fuel)
       - A long term fuel trim value well above 128 (added fuel)

If both fuel trim values are fixed well above 128, refer to DTC P0172 Fuel Trim System Rich for items which can cause a lean system.

    • A momentary rich O2S signal (system is in control) will appear on the scan tool as the following items:
       - A short term fuel trim value less than 128 (reducing fuel)
       - A long term fuel trim value around 128
    • A prolonged rich O2S signal (system is in control) will appear on the scan tool as the following items:
       - A short term fuel trim value around 128
       - A long term fuel trim value less than 128 (reduced fuel)
    • A prolonged rich O2S signal (system is out of control) will appear on the scan tool as the following items:
       - A short term fuel trim value much less than 128 (reducing fuel)
       - Long term fuel trim value much less than 128 (reduced fuel)

Whenever both fuel trim values are fixed well below 128, refer to DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean for items which can cause the system to run rich.

If a driveability symptom exists, refer to the particular symptom in Driveabiltiy Symptoms for additional items to check.

Fuel System Diagnosis Fuel Supply System

Alcohol-In-Fuel

Notice: Do not use fuels containing methanol in order to prevent damage and corrosion to the fuel system.

Alcohol-in-fuel can be detrimental to the fuel system components. Alcohol-in-fuel can cause driveability problems such as hesitation, lack of power, stall, no start, etc.

The problems may be due to fuel system corrosion and subsequent fuel filter plugging, deterioration of rubber components, and air fuel mixture leaning.

Various types and concentrations of alcohol are used in commercial fuel. Some alcohol is more detrimental to fuel system components than others. If an excessive amount of alcohol in the fuel is suspected as the cause of a driveability condition, the following procedure may be used in order to detect the presence of alcohol in the fuel. In this procedure, water is used to extract the alcohol from the fuel. If contaminated fuel is suspected, the fuel must be completely drained from the tank and replaced with known good fuel.

Testing Procedure

The fuel sample should be drawn from the bottom of the tank so that any water present in the tank will be detected. The sample should be bright and clear. If the sample appears cloudy, or contaminated with water (as indicated by a water layer at the bottom of the sample), this procedure should not be used and the fuel system should be cleaned. Refer to Fuel System Cleaning .

  1. Using a 100 ml cylinder with 1 ml graduation marks, fill with fuel to the 90 ml mark.
  2. Add 10 ml of water to bring the total fluid volume to 100 ml.
  3. Install a stopper.
  4. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
  5. Carefully loosen the stopper to release the pressure.
  6. Close the stopper.
  7. Shake vigorously again for 10 to 15 seconds.
  8. Put the graduated cylinder on a level surface for approximately 5 minutes in order to allow adequate liquid separation.

If alcohol is present in the fuel, the volume of the lower layer (which would now contain both alcohol and water) will measure greater than 10 ml.

For example, if the volume of the lower layer is increased to 15 ml, it will indicate at least 5 % alcohol in fuel. The actual amount of alcohol may be somewhat greater because this procedure does not extract all of the alcohol from the fuel.

Fuel Pump

Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test .

An inoperative fuel pump would cause a no start condition. A fuel pump which does not provide enough pressure can result in poor performance. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test for procedures.

Fuel Filter

The diagnosis of the fuel filter is covered in Fuel System Pressure Test .

A plugged fuel filter may cause a restricted fuel delivery or a no start condition.

Fuel Pipes and Hoses

The diagnosis of gasoline odor may be a condition of a leaking fuel feed, a return pipe or hose. Fuel pipes that are pinched, plugged, or mis-routed may cause restricted fuel delivery.

Fuel Tank

The diagnosis of gasoline odor may be a condition of a leaking fuel tank, filler neck, or filler cap.

A defective filler cap or a plugged or pinched vapor pipe can cause a collapsed fuel tank.

Loose mounting straps, or any foreign material in the tank may cause a rattle at the fuel tank.

Accelerator Control

Check for correct cable routing or binding. Correct as necessary.