GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 226925  Size: SF
Engine Controls Components
Engine Controls (Cell 22: Fuel Controls 5)
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The turbocharger wastegate is a vacuum actuated valve which is used in order to control the exhaust gas heat which is sent to the turbo. The wastegate pulse width modulated solenoid meters the vacuum level at the wastegate valve actuator as commanded by the PCM. When the PCM is commanding the Wastegate solenoid ON, the voltage potential of the circuit will be low (near 0 volts). When the PCM is commanding the wastegate solenoid OFF, the voltage potential of the circuit will be high (near the battery volts). The primary function of the PCM in this circuit is to supply the ground for the wastegate solenoid.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The PCM requested the Wastegate solenoid ON.
    • The voltage on the Wastegate solenoid control circuit is high (near the battery volts).
    • Two consecutive faults have been detected.
    • The conditions were met for 2 seconds.

or

    • The PCM requested the Wastegate solenoid OFF.
    • The voltage on the Wastegate solenoid control circuit is low (near 0 volts).
    • Two consecutive faults have been detected.
    • The conditions met for 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM illuminates the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive drive trip 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 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 will clear after forty consecutive warm-up cycles during which the diagnostic does not fail (the coolant temperature has risen 5°C (40°F) from the start up coolant temperature and the engine coolant temperature exceeds 71°C (160°F) during that same ignition cycle).
    • Use of a Scan Tool will clear the DTC codes.

Diagnostic Aids

This diagnostic will set when the control circuit does not follow the PCM command (when the solenoid is requested ON, the voltage will drop; when the solenoid is OFF, the ignition voltage will be present). The scan tool has a 5 second ON time abort. The wastegate solenoid can be commanded ON for as many times as needed, in 5 second intervals. DTC P0236 may possibly set along with DTC P1656. This diagnostic can be checked during key up. The engine will not respond to the scan tool commands at the idle (the engine is unable to achieve the boost pressures that are greater than BARO at idle) or at any engine speed which is greater than the idle (the PCM control abort in order to prevent the engine damage).

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. Be sure that both the ON and OFF states are commanded. Repeat the commands as many times as necessary. This step will determine if this DTC is a current or an intermittent.

  2. This check can detect a partially shorted coil which would cause an excessive current flow. Leaving the circuit energized for two minutes allows the coil to warm up. When warm, the coil may open (Amps drop to zero), or short (an amp drawn greater than 0.75A).

  3. If no trouble is found in the control circuit or the connection at the PCM, the PCM may be malfunctioning. However, this is an extremely unlikely failure.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the Scan Tool Capture Info in order to record the Freeze Frame and the failure records for reference, as the data will be lost when the Clear Info function is used.

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to A Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Connect the Scan Tool.
  2. Turn the ignition ON with the engine OFF.
  3. With the Scan Tool, command the Wastegate solenoid On and OFF and listen for an audible click.

Does the solenoid turn ON and OFF (audible click) with each command?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Disconnect the PCM connector containing the Boost solenoid control circuit.
  3. Turn the ignition ON.
  4. Use a DMM J 39200 on a 10 Amp scale in order to measure the current from the solenoid control circuit in the PCM harness connector to ground for 2 minutes.

Is the current draw less than the specified value, but not zero?

0.75 A

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. The PCM connector is still disconnected.
  3. Disconnect the Wastegate solenoid.
  4. Use a DMM J 39200 , in order to measure the resistance from the solenoid control circuit in the PCM harness connector to ground.

Does the DMM display an infinite resistance?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

5

  1. Disconnect the Wastegate solenoid
  2. Turn the ignition ON with the engine OFF.
  3. Connect a test light between the Wastegate solenoid control circuit and the ignition feed circuit at the harness connector.
  4. Use a Scan Tool in order to command the solenoid ON and OFF.

Does the test light turn ON and OFF with each command?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn the ignition ON with the engine OFF.
  2. With a test light connected to ground, probe the ignition feed circuit at the Wastegate solenoid harness connector.

Is the test light ON?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 12

7

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Reconnect the solenoid.
  3. Disconnect the PCM harness containing the solenoid control circuit.
  4. Turn the ignition ON.
  5. With a fused jumper wire connected to ground, probe the solenoid control circuit in the PCM harness connector.

Does the solenoid operate?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

8

The DTC is intermittent. If no additional DTCs are stored, refer to Diagnostic Aids. If any additional DTCs were stored, refer to the applicable DTC tables first.

Are there any additional DTCs stored?

--

Go to the applicable DTC table

Go to Diagnostic Aids

9

Check for a poor connection at the boost solenoid and replace the terminal if necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did the terminal require replacement?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 13

10

Repair the Wastegate solenoid control circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

11

Check for a poor connection at the PCM, Wastegate control circuit.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 14

12

Repair the open in the ignition feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

13

Replace the Wastegate solenoid. Refer to Wastegate Solenoid Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

14

Replace the PCM.

Important: The new PCM must be programmed. Refer to PCM Replacement/Programming .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

15

  1. Use the Scan Tool in order to select DTC, Clear Info.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Allow the engine to idle at the normal operating temperature.
  4. Select DTC, Specific, then enter the DTC number which was set.
  5. Operate the vehicle until the Scan Tool indicates that the diagnostic Ran.

Does the Scan Tool indicate that this diagnostic Passed?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 2

16

Use the Scan Tool in order to select Capture Info, Review Info.

Are there any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK