GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The DTC P2027 Fuel Vapor Temperature Sensor Circuit High Voltage diagnostic monitors the fuel vapor temperature sensor signal. A thermistor is a resistor whose value varies with the temperature. The electrical resistance of the vapor temperature sensor is high when the fuel tank vapor temperature is cold, and the resistance is low when the vapor temperature is warm. The sensor is wired in series with a fixed resistor in the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM applies 5 volts to the vapor temperature sensor. The PCM monitors the voltage across the sensor and converts the voltage into a temperature reading. The voltage measured by the PCM will be high when the vapor temperature is cold, and low when the vapor temperature is warm.

Temperature

Sensor Resistance

Sensor Signal Voltage

Cold

High

High

Warm

Low

Low

Condition for Running the DTC

The engine is running.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The fuel vapor temperature signal voltage indicates an fuel vapor temperature of -40°C (-40°F).
    • The above condition is met for at least 10 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information will be stored in the Freeze Frame buffer.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The MIL turns off after 3 consecutively passing cycles without a fault present.
    • A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault.
    • Perform the scan tool Clear DTC Information function in order to clear the DTC.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for any of the following conditions:

    • A damaged wiring harness. Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the fuel vapor temperature display on the scan tool while moving the connectors and the wiring harnesses related to the fuel vapor temperature sensor. A change in the fuel vapor temperature display will indicate the location of the fault.
    • When replacing the fuel vapor temperature sensor, the Temperature to Resistance Value scale may be used to test the sensor at various temperature levels to evaluate the possibility of a shifted and incorrectly calibrated sensor. A shifted sensor could result in poor driveability complaints. Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance .
    • A shorted to voltage in the sensor signal circuit may cause DTC P2027 to set.

An intermittent malfunction may be caused by a fault in the fuel vapor temperature sensor circuit. Inspect the wiring harness and components for an intermittent condition. Refer to Intermittent Conditions .

If the DTC P2027 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Freeze Frame data can be useful in determining vehicle operating conditions when the DTC was first set.

Test Description

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

  1. The Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the freeze frame 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 in the scan tool for later reference.

  2. If a DTC P0123 is also set there is a fault in the sensor ground circuit or the PCM.

  3. If the FTP sensor reading is near 58.59 mm Hg (31.23 in H2O) there is a fault in the sensor ground circuit or the sensor.

  4. This step determines if a fault is present in the fuel vapor temperature circuit.

  5. Clearing the DTCs by removing the DOME fuse also clears the PCM long term memory. Using the scan tool to clear DTCs leaves the long term memory active. DTC emitting diagnostics may not run to completion as expected unless the long term memory is cleared. Removal of the DOME fuse also clears the time display of the radio. The DTC P2027 diagnostic can be monitored on the scan tool under the Not Ran Since Code Cleared selection in the DTC Information menu. If a DTC P2027 appears in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P2027 diagnostic has not yet run. When the DTC P2027 does not appear in the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list, the DTC P2027 diagnostic has run. If the MIL is NOT illuminated, and there is no Pending DTC Status in DTC Information, the DTC P2027 diagnostic has passed. The DTCs MUST be cleared in order to view the Current Status of the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list. DO NOT forget that the Not Ran Since Code Cleared list only indicates that the test has run, not whether the test passed or failed. The DTC Information screen must be checked for Current or Pending status, in order to determine the outcome of the diagnostic test involved.

Step

Action

Value(s)

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

Is a DTC P0123 also set?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Remove the fuel filler cap.
  3. Observe the fuel vapor temeperature sensor parameter on the scan tool for the first specified value.
  4. Observe the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor parameter on the scan tool for the second specified value.

Are both sensors near their respective specified value?

-40°C (-40°F)

FTP 58.59 mm Hg (31.23 in H2O)

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Install a scan tool.
  3. Observe the fuel tank vapor temperature sensor on the scan tool.

Is the fuel vapor temperature at the specified value?

-40°C (-40°F)

Go to Step 5

Go to Diagnostic Aids

5

  1. Test for an open or a short to voltage in the vapor temperature sensor signal circuit.
  2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Disconnect the fuel vapor temperature sensor electrical connector.
  2. Jump the fuel vapor temperature signal circuit and the sensor ground circuit together at the fuel vapor temperature sensor harness connector.
  3. Observe the fuel vapor temperature parameter on the scan tool.

Is the fuel vapor temperature equal to the specified value?

165°C (329°F)

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

7

  1. Test for an open in the vapor temperature sensor ground circuit from S106 to the sensor.
  2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

8

  1. Test for an open in the r temperature sensor ground circuit from S106 to the PCM.
  2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

9

  1. Check for a faulty electrical connection at the fuel vapor temperature sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
  2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

10

  1. Check for a faulty connection at the PCM.
  2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

11

Replace the fuel vapor temperature sensor. Refer to Fuel Vapor Temperature Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

12

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the DOME fuse for 30 seconds.
  3. Install the DOME fuse.
  4. Reset the radio clock time. Refer to Radio/Audio System Description and Operation in Entertainment.
  5. Start the engine.
  6. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text or until the DTC P2027 diagnostic test has run.

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