GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

A list of each data message displayed on the Scan tool will be explained in two groups; Engine or Transmission. This information will assist in emission or driveability problems. The displays can be viewed while the vehicle is being driven. Always perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check first. The OBD System Check will confirm proper system operation.

Engine Speed--Range 0-9999 RPM: Engine speed is computed by the PCM from the crankshaft position sensor. If the crankshaft position sensor is inoperative, an rpm reading is taken from the injection pump cam signal. It should remain close to desired idle under various engine loads with engine idling. Engine speed value is very accurate.

Desired Idle--Range 0-3187 RPM: The idle speed that is requested by the PCM. The PCM will compensate for various engine loads based on engine coolant temperature to keep the engine at the desired speed.

ECT--Range -40°C to 151°C, -40°F to 304°F: The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor sends a signal to the PCM relative to engine coolant temperature. The sensor is a thermistor which changes internal resistance as temperature changes. When the sensor is cold (internal resistance high), the PCM monitors a high signal voltage and interprets it as a cold engine. As the sensor warms (internal resistance decreases), the voltage signal will decrease and the PCM will interpret the lower voltage as a warm engine.

Startup Coolant-- Range -40°C to 151°C, -40°F to 304°F: A reading of the vehicles coolant temperature at startup. This will change every key cycle.

IAT--Range -40°C to 151°C, -40°F to 304°F: The intake air temperature sensor sends a signal to the PCM relative to the incoming air. The IAT is used by the PCM to adjust fuel delivery.

ECT Sensor--Range 0-5 Volts: The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor sends a signal to the PCM relative to engine coolant temperature. The sensor is a thermistor which changes internal resistance as temperature changes. When the sensor is cold (internal resistance high), the PCM monitors a high signal voltage and interprets it as a cold engine. As the sensor warms (internal resistance decreases), the voltage signal will decrease and the PCM will interpret the lower voltage as a warm engine.

BARO--Range 10-105 kPa, 0-5 Volts: The BARO reading is determined from the Boost sensor at ignition ON, engine OFF. The BARO reading display represents barometric pressure and is used to compensate for altitude differences.

Engine Shutoff Sol.--Range ON/OFF: The ESO is located on the fuel injection pump. When the ignition switch OFF, the ESO is in the NO FUEL position. It prevents fuel from entering the fuel injection pump.

Wastegate Solenoid--Range 0-100%: The PCM cycles the boost solenoid PWM ON and OFF. The ON time (duty cycle) of the solenoid valve is expressed as a percent. The Boost pulse width modulated solenoid meters the vacuum level at the wastegate valve actuator as commanded by the PCM.

Boost Pressure--Range 10-200 kPa, 0-5.0 Volts: The amount of turbo boost pressure in the intake manifold. This is measured in kPa and volts. True boost pressure is determined by subtracting BARO from the actual reading.

Vehicle Speed----Range 0-98 mph: Vehicle speed is a PCM internal parameter. It is computed by timing pulses coming from the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS). Vehicle speed is used in checking TCC lock-up speed or speedometer accuracy. Speed is displayed in both Miles Per Hour (mph) and Kilometers Per Hour (km/h).

Fuel Temperature.--Range -28°C to 140°C, -18°F to 285°F: There is a thermistor located in the optical sensor that determines fuel temperature. When the sensor is cold (internal resistance high) the PCM monitors a high signal voltage which it interprets as low fuel temperature. As the sensor warms (internal resistance low) the voltage signal will decrease and the PCM will interpret the low voltage as warm fuel.

Fuel Rate--Range 0-80mm3: This reading is displayed in millimeters cubed (mm3). This is the amount of fuel the PCM is requesting.

Glow Plug--Range 0-25.5 volts: The amount of voltage the glow plug system is drawing. The scan tool can be used to indicate if the glow plugs actually turned ON by monitoring the voltage drop. Also, a good functional check of the glow plug relay.

Glow Plug System--Range ON/OFF: Glow Plug System-Range ON/OFF Indicates whether or not the PCM has requested the glow plugs to be turned ON.

Desired Inj. Pump Timing--Range 0-25.5 Degrees: The amount of injection timing requested by the PCM.

Actual Inj. Pump Timing--Range 0-25.0 Degrees: Current actual injection timing.

APP Angle--Range 0-100%: Computed by the PCM from APP module voltage (throttle position) and should display 0% at idle and 100% at wide open throttle.

Accelerator Pedal Pos.1--Range 0-5 Volts: The PCM uses the APP sensors to control fuel delivery as requested by the driver. Three APP sensors are located in a module at the base of the accelerator pedal. The PCM only requires information from one sensor, the other two serve as fail safes. APP 1 should read about 0.35-0.95 volts at idle to above 4.0 volts at wide open throttle.

Accelerator Pedal Pos. 2--Range 0-5 Volts: The PCM uses the APP sensors to control fuel delivery as requested by the driver. Three APP sensors are located in a module at the base of the accelerator pedal. The PCM only requires information from one sensor, the other two serve as fail safes. APP 2 should read about 4.5 volts at idle and steadily decrease to about 1.0 volt at wide open throttle.

Accelerator Pedal Pos. 3--Range 0-5 Volts: The PCM uses the APP sensors to control fuel delivery as requested by the driver. Three APP sensors are located in a module at the base of the accelerator pedal. The PCM only requires information from one sensor, the other two serve as fail safes. APP 3 should read about 4.0 volts at idle and steadily decrease to about 2.5 volts at wide open throttle.

Inj. Pump Sol. Closure Time--Range 0.0-4.0 milliseconds: Indicates the amount of time the fuel solenoid takes to close. When engine load is increased, closure time will fluctuate.

TDC OFFSET--Range -2.50 to +2.50 Degrees: The PCM has the ability to determine the amount of offset needed to bring the engine to top dead center. This is used by the PCM to determine proper injection timing and fuel delivery. This value may be displayed as a positive or negative number.

Ignition Volts--Range 0-25.5 volts: This represents the system voltage measured by the PCM at its ignition feed circuit. Ignition voltage is only present when vehicle is running.

Brake Switch--Range open/closed: When the brake pedal is applied, the switch sends a signal to the PCM to disengage the cruise control.

Park/Neutral Switch-- Park/Neutral: These values represent the decoded sequence of the transmission range pressure switch assembly circuits and are to determine manual valve position.

Crank Reference Missed--Range 0-8: The scan tool will display the number of crank pulses missed. At idle it should read 0.

Inj. Pump Cam Ref. Missed--Range 0-8: The scan tool will display the number of cam pulses missed. At idle it should read 0.

Lift Pump--Range 0-25.5 volts: The amount of voltage the lift pump system is drawing. Also, a good functional check of the lift pump relay and oil pressure switch.

Lift Pump System--Range disabled/enabled: Indicates weather or not the PCM has requested the lift pump to be turned ON. This display can not be used to determine if the lift pump is actually ON.

Engine Load--Range 0-100%: The amount of load on the engine.

Fast Idle Setting: Will display sepecific fast idle request (1075, 1350 or 1600).

Number of DTCs--Range #: Indicates the total number of current DTCs set. Does not necessarily mean the MIL is illuminated.

DTC Set This Ignition--Range #: Indicates the total number of current DTCs set this ignition cycle.

MIL--Range ON/OFF: Represents the commanded state of the Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp.

Service Throttle Soon Lamp--Range ON/OFF: Represents the commanded state of the Service Throttle Soon lamp.

Check Gauges Lamp--Range ON/OFF: Indicates if the scan tool has taken control of a system under output tests.

Engine Run Time--Range 00:00:00 (HRS/MIN/SEC): A measure of how long the engine has been operating. When the ignition is cycled to OFF the value is reset to zero.

Freeze Frame and Failure Record Data Definitions: A freeze frame and failure record data list consist of a many of the same parameters as in a Engine data list. The list below defines the parameters not found in a Engine data list.

First Odometer--Range miles (x16): The amount of miles (in 3 mile increments) that the vehicle has traveled since the freeze frame or failure record has been stored.

Last Odometer--Range miles (x16): Every time a failure occurs, last odometer will reset to zero. The amount miles since the last failure (in 3 mile increments).

Fail Counter--Range (decimal): The number of ignition cycles that at test has ran and failed (at least once).

Pass Counter--Range (decimal): The number of ignition cycles that at test has ran and passed (at least once).

No Results Counter: The number of ignition cycles with out a result (pass or fail).