Refer to
Ignition System
.
Refer to
Fuel Injectors
.
System Description
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors both the crankshaft and camshaft position in order to detect engine misfire. The PCM looks for the rapid decrease in crankshaft speed associated with engine misfire once every 100 camshaft revolutions. The PCM may require that several consecutive misfire conditions are detected before storing this DTC and illuminating the MIL. Under light misfire conditions, the PCM may require more than one trip to set this DTC. Under severe misfire, the PCM flashes the MIL. A flashing MIL signals that a misfire capable of damaging the catalytic converter is detected. The Torque Converter Clutch is disabled momentarily to determine if the misfire was due to a rough road condition (automatic transmission only).
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The misfire total is greater than or equal to 12 counts. |
| • | The engine speed is between 469 RPM and 4000 RPM (auto). |
| • | The engine speed is between 850 RPM and 4000 RPM (manual). |
| • | The battery voltage is between 9 volts and 17 volts. |
| • | The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is between -7° C (20° F) and 123° C (254° F). |
| • | The engine has been running for greater than 15 seconds. |
| • | The Throttle Position (TP) angle has not changed more than 8 % in 1 second. |
| • | One or more of the following DTCs are not set P0106, P0107, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0131, P0133, P0134, P0171, P0172, P0325, P0335, P0341, P0342, P0401, P0502, P0503, P0601, P1133, P1406, P1441. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will illuminate if the fault is active within the same conditions for two out of eighty ignition cycles when there is misfire.
OR
The MIL will illuminate after two consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs with the fault active.
OR
| • | The MIL will illuminate immediately and flash if a misfire is severe enough to cause catalyst damage. |
| • | The Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) will disable whenever a misfire is being detected with or without a misfire DTC set (automatic transmission only). |
| • | The PCM will record the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers will store this information. |
| • | A history DTC is stored. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The MIL will turn off after 3 consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs without a fault within the freeze frame conditions that the DTC failed. |
| • | A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm up cycles without a fault. |
| • | A scan tool can clear the DTCs. |
Diagnostic Aids
An intermittent DTC can also be the result of a defective reluctor wheel. Remove the crankshaft sensor and inspect the reluctor wheel through the crankshaft sensor mount hole. Check the porosity and the condition of the reluctor wheel.
Whenever the DTC is an intermittent, refer to the Driveability Symptom Tables.
Perform the fuel Injector Balance Test. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test .
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
-
The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the Freeze Frame Data and the Failure Records on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurs. Refer to this information on the scan tool later.
-
A visual and physical inspection should include checking the following conditions:
-
This step determines if DTC P0300 is the result of a hard failure or an intermittent condition.
-
When all the accumulators are relatively equal, then the misfire is caused by something that affects the entire engine. When they are not equal, then the misfire is being caused by something that is specific to two or more cylinders.
-
When the misfire is not present, operate the vehicle to the conditions found in the Freeze Frame Data in order to detect the misfire. Depending on the engine load, maintain the conditions for up to 20 seconds. Whenever the misfire accumulators start to increment, the misfire is present. A history misfire counter stores the number of misfires that occur until the DTC is cleared.
-
Check the fuel for water, fuel, etc.
-
A basic engine problem that affects all cylinders is the only possibility at this point (i.e. cam timing, throttle body leak, restricted air flow, etc.). Refer to Engine Mechanical.
-
Tests the harness wiring and the PCM control of the injectors using the injector test lamp J 34780-2.
-
Check for voltage at the ignition feed circuit.
-
Whenever the driver circuit is shorted to ground, the lamp will be ON steady. When the driver circuit is shorted to voltage or open, the lamp will be OFF.
-
Since a single circuit supplies voltage to the injector before the injector harness, the fault could only be a poor connection or open in the injector harness. An open before the harness would result in a Cranks But Won't Run complaint.
-
Replace any spark plugs that are worn, cracked or fouled. Refer to Engine Mechanical if any plugs are fouled or damaged due to an engine mechanical failure.
-
Before replacing the PCM, check the terminals for improper mating, broken locks, or physical damage to the wiring harness. The replacement PCM must be reprogrammed. Refer to the latest Techline information for programming procedures.
| • | The wiring for proper connections, pinches, and cuts |
| • | The PCM grounds for being clean and tight |
| • | The vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, and proper connections as shown on the Vehicle Emission Information label. Check thoroughly for any type of leak or restriction. |
| • | For air leaks at the throttle body mounting area and the intake manifold sealing surfaces. |
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | |||
2 | Are any component DTCs set? | -- | Go to the Applicable DTC Table | |
Were any repairs necessary? | -- | |||
Is the Misfire Current counters incrementing? | -- | |||
Are all the counters equal within a percentage of each other? | -- | |||
Are any Misfire Current counters incrementing? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||
7 |
Is the fuel pressure within the specified value? | 214 to 303 kPa (31 to 44 psi) | ||
Check the fuel for contamination. Is the fuel OK (uncontaminated)? | -- | |||
Check for a basic engine problem. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||
10 | Replace the contaminated fuel. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
Does the fuel injector test lamp blink? | -- | |||
12 | Perform the Injector Coil/Balance Test Procedure, refer to the Fuel Injector Balance Test and the Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test . Are the fuel injectors OK? | -- | ||
Did the test lamp illuminate? | -- | |||
14 |
Was spark observed on all four spark plug cables? | -- | ||
15 |
Are the frequency readings within the specified values? | 1 to 10 Hz | ||
16 | Replace any faulty fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
17 | Check the effected fuel injector driver circuit for an open, short to ground, or short to voltage. Was a problem found? | -- | ||
Repair the open or the shorted fuel injector driver circuits. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||
Repair the open ignition feed circuit between the fuel injector harness connector and the fuel injector connector. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||
20 | Measure the resistance of the spark plug cable that the spark plug tester did not spark. Is the resistance of the spark plug cable less than the specified value? | 30,000 ohms | ||
21 |
Is the voltage less than the specified value? | 0.5 V | ||
22 |
Is the resistance within the specified range? | 5,000 to 8,000 ohms | ||
23 |
Does the test lamp illuminate? | -- | ||
24 |
Was spark observed on the spark tester? | -- | ||
25 | Repair the open in the effected ignition control circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
26 | Repair the open ignition feed circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
27 | Repair the short to voltage in the effected ignition control circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
28 | Replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM). Refer to Ignition Control Module Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
Replace any faulty spark plugs. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||
30 | Replace the ignition coil. Refer to Engine Electrical. Is the action complete? | -- | ||
Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||
32 | Replace the spark plug cable. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
33 |
Was a problem found? | -- | ||
34 |
Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed? | 90°-95° C | ||
35 | Operate the vehicle so that the catalyst diagnostic runs. Did the diagnostic Run and Pass? | -- | Go to the Applicable DTC Table | |
36 | Check if any additional DTCs are set. Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to the Applicable DTC Table | System OK |
