GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 37750  Size: LF
Engine Controls Components
Engine Controls Schematics
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The VCM controls the idle speed with an Idle Air Control (IAC) valve to a calculated desired RPM based on the sensor inputs and the actual engine RPM. The VCM uses 4 circuits in order to move an Idle Air Control (IAC) valve, allowing a varying amount of air flow into the intake manifold.

In order to increase the idle RPM, the VCM moves the IAC valve out, allowing more air to bypass the throttle plate. In order to decrease the RPM, the VCM moves the IAC valve in, reducing the amount of air bypassing the throttle plate. A scan tool reads the VCM commands to the IAC valve in counts. The higher the counts, the more air is allowed to bypass the throttle plate (higher idle). The lower the counts, the less air that is allowed to bypass the throttle plates (lower idle). This DTC is a type B DTC.

Conditions For Setting DTC

Non-intrusive

    • No TP sensor DTCs set
    • No ECT DTCs set
    • No VSS DTCs set
    • No MAP DTCs set
    • ECT is greater than 50°C
    • IAT is greater than -25°C
    • BARO is graeter than 75 kPa (10,300 ft.)
    • Vehicle Speed is less than 2 mph
    • System voltage is between 10 volts and 16 volts
    • Engine run time is greater than 30 seconds.
    • TP is less than 1%
    • Above met for a time greater than 3 seconds

If the non-intrusive test fails, the intrusive test is ran.

Intrusive

    •  Calculated Air Flow is between 17.5 grams per second and less than 50 grams per second
    • Vehicle Speed is between 25 MPH and 85 MPH
    • Change in TP Sensor is less than 1%
    • Change in engine speed is less than 50 RPM
    • IAC motor commanded to 10% for 100 msec

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The VCM will turn ON the MIL after 2 consecutive driving cycles with the fault active.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

The VCM turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive driving trips without a fault condition present. A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles (the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the start-up coolant temperature and the engine coolant temperature exceeds 71°C (160°F) during that same ignition cycle) or the scan tool clearing feature has been used.

Diagnostic Aids

The following items could cause this DTC:

    • An IAC valve which is stopped and cannot respond to the VCM
    • A throttle stop screw which has been tampered with
    • A damaged throttle or linkage

A slow, unstable, or fast idle may be caused by a non - IAC valve system problem that cannot be overcome by the IAC valve. Out of range control IAC scan tool counts will read above 60 if the idle is too low and zero if the idle is too high. Check for the following:

    • Fuel system too lean and rich
    • Throttle body - inspect the bore for foreign material.
    • Refer to Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling .
    • IAC reset is done with the scan tool misc. functions mode.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Important: Before clearing DTCs use the scan tool to record the freeze frame and the failure records for reference because 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

Install the scan tool.

Are any other DTCs set?

--

Go to The Applicable DTC Table

Go to Step 3

3

Is DTC P0507 active this ignition cycle?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

DTC is intermittent. Refer to the Diagnostic Aids.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 6

--

5

Problem is engine mechanical related. Refer to Engine Mechanical.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 6

--

6

  1. Using the scan tool, select the DTC and the Clear Info.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Idle at normal operating temperature.
  4. Select the DTC and the Specific.
  5. Then enter the DTC number which was set.
  6. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for setting this DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 2

7

Using the scan tool, select the Capture Info and the Review Info.

Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to The Applicable DTC Table

System OK


Object Number: 33140  Size: SF
Engine Controls Components
4WD and IAC Controls
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The control module controls idle speed with an idle air control (IAC) valve. The desired RPM is based on sensor inputs and the actual engine RPM. Four circuits are used in order to control the IAC valve, allowing a precise amount of air into the intake manifold. In order to increase the idle RPM, the control module will command the valve pintle to move away from its seat, allowing more air to bypass the throttle plate. To decrease RPM, the control module commands the IAC pintle to move closer to its seat, causing a lower airflow to bypass the throttle plate. A scan tool will display the control module commands to the IAC valve in counts. The higher the counts, the more air is allowed to bypass the throttle plate. Lower counts indicate that less air is commanded by the control module.

Conditions For Running DTC

    • No active TP sensor DTCs
    • No active VS sensor DTCs
    • No active ECT sensor DTCs
    • No active MAP DTCs
    • No active MAF DTCs
    • No active IAT DTCs
    • No active transmission DTCs
    • No active PRNDL DTCs
    • No active misfire DTCs
    • The ECT is more than 50°C (122°F)
    • The system voltage is between 10 and 16 volts
    • The IAT is more than -25°C ( -13°F)
    • The engine has been running for more than 30 seconds
    • BARO is more than 75 kPa
    • The MAF is between 17.5 g/s and 50 g/s
    • The vehicle speed is between 25 MPH and 85 MPH
    • Any change in throttle position is less than 1 percent
    • Any change in engine speed is less than 50 RPM
    • The IAC valve was commanded to move specified number of counts
    • The above conditions present for more than 3 seconds

Conditions For Setting DTC

The change in MAF is less than 6 g/s

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) if a failure is detected during 2 consecutive key cycles.
    • The control module sets the DTC and records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic failed. The failure information is stored in the scan tool Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL or DTC

    • The control module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has run and passed.
    • A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles. A warm-up cycle occurs when the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the startup coolant temperature and the engine coolant reaches a temperature that is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle.
    • Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

The following items could cause this DTC:

    • A stuck IAC valve cannot respond to the VCM
    • A throttle stop screw which has been tampered with
    • A damaged throttle shaft, plate, or linkage

A slow, unstable, or fast idle may be caused by a non - IAC valve system problem that cannot be overcome by the IAC valve. Out of range control IAC scan tool counts will read above 60 if the idle is too low and zero if the idle is too high. Check for the following:

    • Inspect engine mounts - damaged mounts may cause tension on throttle linkage.
    • Fuel system too lean or rich
    • Throttle body - inspect the bore for foreign material.
    • Vacuum leaks
    • Refer to Symptoms .
    • IAC reset is done with the scan tool.

An intermittent may be caused by any of the following conditions:

    • A poor connection
    • Rubbed through wire insulation
    • A broken wire inside the insulation

Thoroughly check any circuitry that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis in Wiring Systems.

If a repair is necessary, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

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

  1. The IAC Reset function used in this step only energizes the circuit for 2 seconds, so this function will have to be used repeatedly during this step. Also it is recommended that the J 35616 connector test adapter kit is used during this procedure to prevent terminal damage to the IAC harness connector. This step can also be performed with the ignition ON and engine OFF.

  2. If the test lamp remained ON at any of the IAC valve harness connector terminals during the IAC valve reset function the circuit is shorted to voltage. If these circuits are checked before or after the IAC valve reset function it is possible that any combination of IAC circuits could light a test lamp, this would be a normal condition.

Step

Action

Value(s)

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 module's 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. Set the parking brake and block the drive wheels.
  2. Install the scan tool.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Turn OFF the accessories.
  5. Command the engine speed to the first specified value and then to the second specified value using the scan tool.

Does the engine speed correspond within 100 RPM of the commanded speeds?

1200 RPM

500 RPM

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the IAC valve harness connector.
  3. Measure the resistance across the IAC valve terminals A and B.
  4. Measure the resistance across the IAC valve terminals C and D.

Are the resistances across terminals A and B, and terminals C and D within the specified value?

40-80 ohms

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 13

4

  1. Measure the resistance across the IAC valve terminals B and C.
  2. Measure the resistance across the IAC valve terminals A and D.

Are the resistances across terminals B and C, and terminals A and D at the specified value?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 13

5

    Caution: Avoid contact with moving parts and hot surfaces while working around a running engine in order to prevent physical injury.

  1. With the IAC valve still disconnected, start the engine.
  2. Probe each of the IAC valve harness connector terminals using a J 35616 connector test adapter kit and a test lamp connected to a ground.
  3. Important:: Command ON the Reset IAC function for each circuit tested. This function will only flash each circuit for 2 seconds.

  4. Use the IAC Reset function while the test lamp is connected to each IAC connector terminal. The test lamp should flash on each terminal.

Does the test lamp flash ON and OFF at all terminals?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

Did the test lamp remain ON at any of the terminals during the IAC valve reset function?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

Check for an open or short to ground in the IAC valve circuit that did not flash the test lamp.

Did you find a problem?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

8

Check for a short to voltage in the IAC valve circuit where the test lamp remained ON.

Did you find a problem?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

9

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the IAC valve. Refer to Idle Air Control Valve Replacement .
  3. Inspect the IAC valve for deposits.
  4. Inspect the throttle body passages for carbon buildup.

Did you find a problem?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Diagnostic Aids

10

Check for a poor connection at the VCM.

Did you find a problem?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 14

11

Repair the circuit as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

12

Clean the IAC valve and passages. Refer to the Cleaning and Inspection Procedure in the Idle Air Control Valve Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

13

Replace the IAC valve. Refer to Idle Air Control Valve Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

14

  1. Replace the VCM.
  2. Program the new VCM. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming .
  3. Perform the VTD Password Learn Procedure. Refer to Password Learn .
  4. Perform the CKP System Variation Learn procedure. Refer to Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

15

  1. Using the scan tool, clear the DTCs.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Allow the engine to idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
  4. Select DTC and the specific DTC function.
  5. Enter the DTC number which was set.
  6. Operate the vehicle, with 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 the applicable DTC table

System OK