GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2000 🢒 GMC K Pickup - 4WD 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0238 Turbocharger Boost Sensor Circuit High Voltage

Object Number: 592249 Size: SF
Engine Controls Components
Engine Data Sensors-ECT, IAT, and Boost (BARO) Sensor
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The powertrain control module (PCM) controls boost using the turbocharger wastegate solenoid. The solenoid is pulse width modulated (PWM). When the wastegate solenoid is not energized, the vacuum to the turbocharger wastegate solenoid is vented to atmosphere through the solenoid. As the pulse width is increased by the PCM, more vacuum is applied through the solenoid to the wastegate actuator. At idle a higher vacuum to the wastegate actuator helps keep the wastegate closed. At higher engine speeds the vacuum supplied by the solenoid is less, allowing the turbocharger boost pressure to overcome the wastegate actuator.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • The PCM performs this DTC diagnostic continuously.
    • Engine speed less than 3506 RPM.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The boost pressure is more than or equal (202 kPa).
    • All diagnostic set conditions were met for 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The PCM will limit boost pressure.
    • The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive drive trip that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the Failure Records will store this information. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive drive trip, the Freeze Frame records the operating conditions at the time of failure and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The PCM will turn the MIL off after three consecutive trips without a fault condition.
    • A History DTC clears after forty consecutive warm-up cycles, if this or any other emission related diagnostic does not report any failures.
    • The use of a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Very little boost can be attained by revving the engine in neutral.

An intermittent may be caused by the following:

    • Poor connections
    • Rubbed through wire insulation
    • Broken wire inside the insulation

Test Description

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

  1. This step will determine if the PCM is responding to a low signal voltage. This will indicate that the PCM is OK.

    2.

  2. If the scan display is still less than or equal to 9 kPa by disconnecting the PCM the short to voltage is in the wiring.

    3.

  3. If the voltmeter value stays the same by disconnecting the PCM the short to battery voltage is in the wiring.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool Capture Info to save the Freeze Frame and failure records for reference. The control modules data is deleted once the Clear Info function is used.

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2
  1. Connect a scan tool.
  2. Start the engine and let the engine idle.

Does the scan tool display a Boost Pressure more than or equal to the specified value?

202 kPa

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Disconnect the Boost sensor electrical connector.
  3. Using a fused jumper, jumper the boost sensor signal to the sensor ground.
  4. Turn the ignition ON.

Does the scan tool display a Boost Pressure less than or equal to the specified value?

10 kPa

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4
  1. Verify the boost sensor is disconnected.
  2. Turn the ignition ON.
  3. Set the digital multimeter to the mA scale.
  4. Measure the current across the boost sensor signal and the sensor ground circuit at the harness connector.

Is the current less than the specified value?

10 mA

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 11

5
  1. The DTC is intermittent.
  2. If no additional DTCs are stored, refer to Diagnostic Aids.
  3. If additional DTCs are stored, refer to those tables first.

Are any additional DTCs stored?

--

Go to applicable DTC

Go to Diagnostic Aids

6
  1. Turn the ignition ON with the engine OFF.
  2. Connect the digital multimeter to a ground.

    3. Probe the 5 volt reference circuit at the boost sensor harness.

Is the voltage more than the specified value?

5.2 V

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 7

7
  1. Verify that the boost sensor is disconnected.
  2. Using a digital multimeter, measure the voltage across the boost sensor 5 volt reference circuit to the sensor ground at the harness connector.

Is the voltage within the specified range?

4.8-5.2 V

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 13

8
  1. Check for an open or a proper sensor signal terminal connection at the PCM and the boost sensor.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Check the boost sensor port for a restriction.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 10

10

  1. Replace the boost sensor.
  2. Refer to Boost Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

11
  1. Check for a short to voltage in the boost sensor signal circuit.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 14

12
  1. Check for a short to battery voltage in the boost sensor 5 volt reference circuit.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 14

13
  1. Check for an open or a proper sensor ground terminal connection at the PCM and the boost sensor.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 14

14

Important:: The new PCM must be programmed.

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

15
  1. Using the scan tool, clear the DTCs.
  2. Start the engine and idle at normal operating temperature.
  3. Select the DTC, Specific, then enter the DTC number which was set.
  4. Operate the vehicle, within the Conditions for Setting this DTC, until the scan tool indicates the diagnostic Ran.

Does the scan tool indicate the diagnostic Passed?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 2

16

Does the scan tool display any additional undiagnosed DTCs?

--

Go to applicable DTC

System OK