The powertrain control module (PCM) uses information from the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor and the camshaft position (CMP) sensor in order to determine when an engine misfire is occurring. By monitoring variations in the crankshaft rotation speed for each cylinder, the PCM is able to detect individual misfire events. A misfire rate that is high enough can cause three-way catalytic converter damage. The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will flash ON and OFF when the conditions for catalytic converter damage are present.
• | DTCs P0013, P0014, P0105, P0107, P0108, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0128, P0217, P0218, P0336, P0340, P0341, P0365, P0366, P0502, P0503, P1114, P1115, P1121, P1122, P1336, or P1345 are not set. |
• | The engine is running. |
• | The system voltage is 10-18 volts. |
• | The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is 7-130°C (19-266°F). |
• | The throttle angle is steady. |
• | The A/C compressor clutch is not changing state. |
• | The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow test is inactive. |
• | The fuel level is above 10 percent. |
• | The fuel cut-off or decel fuel cut-off (DFCO) mode is not active. |
• | The PCM determines that an emission type misfire is present on more than 1 cylinder. |
• | The PCM determines that a catalyst damaging misfire is present. |
• | If the misfire level is non-catalyst damaging, the PCM will illuminate the MIL during the second key cycle in which the DTC sets. |
• | If the misfire is severe enough to cause possible catalyst damage, the PCM will immediately flash the MIL while the misfire remains at catalyst damaging levels. |
• | The PCM will disable the torque converter clutch (TCC) operation. |
• | The PCM will store the conditions present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame/Failure Records data. |
Any data previously stored in Freeze Frame will be overwritten when this DTC sets. The only exception to this is if a fuel trim DTC was already recorded in Freeze Frame. In this case, the fuel trim data stays in Freeze Frame and the Misfire Data will be stored in Failure Records. |
• | The PCM will turn the MIL OFF after three consecutive trips during which the diagnostic runs and passes. |
Note that if the last failure was during a non-typical driving condition, the MIL may remain ON longer than three drive trips. Review Freeze Frame for the last failure conditions. |
• | The History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction. |
• | The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear DTC Information function. |
Check for the following conditions:
• | Incorrect CKP system variation data stored in the PCM--Run the Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn using the scan tool. |
• | System grounds--Ensure that all connections are clean and properly tightened. |
• | Damaged accessory drive belt or driven accessory--A damaged serpentine belt or belt driven accessory can cause engine load variations sufficient to set a misfire DTC. |
• | Fuel pressure--Perform a fuel system pressure test. A malfunctioning fuel pump, plugged filter, or malfunctioning fuel system pressure regulator will contribute to a lean condition. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis . |
• | Fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test . |
• | Contaminated fuel--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis . |
• | Extended idle--Excessive Open Loop operation caused by extended idling or short trip driving may leave deposits on the heated oxygen sensors (HO2S). The deposits cause oxygen sensors to respond slowly to exhaust oxygen content, affecting fuel control and causing a misfire to be indicated at idle. This condition is not permanent. To determine if this condition is causing the DTC P0300 to be set, review the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data for DTC P0300. If the DTC P0300 occurs at high engine speeds, the condition described above did not cause the DTC P0300 to set. If the DTC P0300 occurs at idle or very low engine speeds and at engine coolant temperatures below 80°C (176°F), the condition described above is very likely the cause of the DTC P0300 being set. The deposits on the heated oxygen sensors can be eliminated by operating the vehicle fully warm at mass air flows above 15 g/s. |
• | Running the vehicle low on fuel--This DTC may set if the vehicle misfires while running out of fuel. If no misfire is currently present, but the History Counters indicate random misfire was once present, ask if the vehicle has been run out of fuel. If this is the case, no further repair may be necessary. |
Important: If the level of misfire was sufficient to cause possible catalyst damage, if the MIL was flashing, ensure that the DTC P0420 test is completed and passed after verifying the misfire repair.
If the condition is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions .
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
Engine misfire can change engine load characteristics which may affect the throttle position (TP) sensor performance diagnostic. Correct any misfire before diagnosing. A malfunctioning injector circuit, crankshaft position system variation not learned, an intermittent CKP sensor problem, incorrect rough road data from the electronic brake control module (EBCM), etc. may cause a misfire DTC to be set. If any other DTCs are set with DTC P0300, diagnose and repair the other DTC before using the DTC P0300 table.
The Misfire Bar Graph (or Misfire Current Cyl #) display may normally display a small amount of activity (0-10 counts) but should not steadily increment during an entire 200 revolution test sample period.
A misfiring cylinder can sometimes affect the misfire counters for other cylinders. When performing this table, concentrating on the cylinder with the highest level of misfire and correcting the problem, may also correct the other cylinders that indicate misfire. This step splits the table between conditions that would cause a specific cylinder to misfire and conditions that would affect all cylinders, causing a random multiple cylinder misfire.
Step | Action | Yes | No | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls? | Go to Step 2 | |||||||||||
Important:: Incorrect CKP system variation data in the PCM may cause DTC P0300
to set with no apparent misfire. Any of the following conditions
can cause incorrect CKP system variation data:
Are any other DTCs set? | Go to Step 3 | ||||||||||||
Do any cylinders indicate an excessive amount of misfire? | Go to Step 4 | Go to Intermittent Conditions | |||||||||||
Does the misfire appear to be affecting specific cylinders? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 5 | |||||||||||
5 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 6 | ||||||||||
6 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 7 | ||||||||||
7 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 8 | ||||||||||
8 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 9 | ||||||||||
9 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 10 | ||||||||||
10 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 11 | ||||||||||
11 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 12 | ||||||||||
12 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Intermittent Conditions | ||||||||||
13 |
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? | System OK |