GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The lock-off relay coil is supplied power whenever the gasoline control module (VCM/PCM or ECM) energizes the gasoline fuel pump relay. The Alternative Fuels ECM controls the ground circuit of the lock-off relay. When energized the lock-off relay supplies power to the high pressure lock-off solenoids.

At the initial ignition ON, the gasoline control module energizes the gasoline fuel pump relay which supplies power to the Fuel Pump Power circuit for a 2 second prime pulse. At the initial ignition ON, the Alternative Fuels ECM will close the Lock-Off Relay Control circuit driver, completing the circuit path to ground, to allow for a 2 second CNG prime pulse. The prime pulse occurs at the same time as the gasoline fuel pump prime pulse occurs.

The gasoline control module will supply power to the Fuel Pump Power circuit regardless of the fuel system that is in operation as long as crankshaft pulses are received.

When the engine is running on CNG, the Alternative Fuels ECM closes the Lock-Off Relay Control circuit driver which opens the high pressure lock-off solenoids.

Test Description

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

  1. The Diagnostic System Check must be performed before proceeding with this diagnostic table. Failure to perform the System Check will result in misdiagnosis.

  2. The fuel indicator lamp (FIL), located within the fuel gage select switch button, will illuminate when the engine is operating on gasoline.

    In addition, the AFO Signal Command scan tool parameter will indicate the Alternative Fuel ECM's commanded state of the AFO Signal circuit, while the AFO Signal parameter will indicate the gasoline control modules monitored state of the AFO Signal circuit.

    When operating on CNG, the displays should indicate that the AF ECM is in command. When operating on gasoline the displays should indicate that the PCM is in command.

    Regardless of the fuel system in operation, these 2 data parameters will always indicate the same data unless an AFO Signal circuit fault is present.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Alternative Fuels - Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Alternative Fuels (Engine Controls)

2

Attempt to start and idle the engine.

Does the engine start and idle?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Fuel Pump Electrical Circuit Diagnosis

3

  1. Idle the engine.
  2. Command the high pressure lock-off relay ON and OFF while listening at the rear of the vehicle for audible high pressure solenoid operation.

Can you hear high pressure solenoid operation while commanding the high pressure lock-off relay ON and OFF?

--

System OK

Go to Step 4

4

Observe the AFO Signal and AFO Signal Command scan tool data parameters in order to determine if the engine is operating on Alternative Fuel.

Is the engine operating on Alternative Fuel?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 5

5

With the engine idling, backprobe the lock-off relay coil power circuit terminal (85) at the relay connector with the test lamp connected to ground.

Is the test lamp illuminated?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 16

6

With the engine idling, backprobe the lock-off relay switch power circuit terminal (30) at the relay connector with the test lamp connected to ground.

Is the test lamp illuminated?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 13

7

  1. With the engine idling, backprobe the lock-off relay switch output circuit terminal (87) at the relay connector with the test lamp connected to ground.
  2. Observe the test lamp as you command the high pressure lock-off relay ON and OFF using the scan tool.

Does the test lamp go ON and OFF as commanded?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 11

8

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Remove the fuel tank shield. Refer to Fuel Tank Shield Replacement .
  3. Disconnect both high pressure lock-off solenoid connectors.
  4. Connect the test lamp between the solenoid ground circuit terminal B and the solenoid power circuit terminal A at the front tank connector.
  5. Observe the test lamp as you turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.
  6. Turn the ignition OFF.
  7. Connect the test lamp between the solenoid ground circuit terminal B and the solenoid power circuit terminal A at the rear tank connector.

Did the test lamp turn ON for about 2 seconds at each tank connector?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Test for an open high pressure lock-off solenoid ground circuit.
  2. Repair the wiring as necessary.

Was a wiring repair performed?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 10

10

Repair the open high pressure lock-off solenoid power circuit.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

11

  1. With the engine idling, backprobe the lock-off relay coil control circuit terminal (86) at the relay connector with the test lamp connected to battery positive.
  2. Observe the test lamp as you command the high pressure lock-off relay ON and OFF using the scan tool.

Does the test lamp go ON and OFF as commanded?

--

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 12

12

  1. Test for an open or shorted lock-off relay control circuit between the relay and the Alternative Fuels ECM.
  2. Inspect for proper terminal contact at the Alternative Fuels ECM and lock-off relay connectors.
  3. Repair the wiring or terminal contact as necessary.

Was a wiring or terminal repair performed?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 26

13

Observe the fuel gage select switch scan tool parameter as you depress the select switch button.

Does the display parameter indicate the switch is applied?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Ignition Relay Diagnosis

14

  1. Measure and record the resistance between the high pressure lock-off solenoid terminals at the front CNG fuel tank connector.
  2. Measure and record the resistance between the high pressure lock-off solenoid terminals at the rear CNG fuel tank connector.

Is either high pressure lock-off solenoid outside of the specified range ?

16.3-20.6 ohms

Go to Step 15

Go to Fuel System Unwanted Switch to Gasoline

15

Replace the high pressure lock-off solenoid that was not within the specified range. Refer to High Pressure Lock-Off Solenoid Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

16

Repair the open circuit between the Lock-Off relay coil power supply terminal 85 and the circuit splice.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

17

Repair the open circuit between the Lock-Off relay switch power supply terminal 30 and the ignition relay circuit splice.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

18

  1. Idle the engine.
  2. Command the high pressure lock-off relay OFF while observing the fuel tank pressure sensor data parameter.

Does the fuel tank pressure decrease while commanding the high pressure lock-off relay OFF?

--

System OK

Go to Step 19

19

  1. With the engine idling, backprobe the lock-off relay switch output circuit terminal (87) at the relay connector with the test lamp connected to ground.
  2. Observe the test lamp as you command the high pressure lock-off relay OFF with the scan tool.

Does the test lamp go OFF as commanded?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 20

20

  1. With the engine idling, backprobe the lock-off relay coil control circuit terminal (86) at the relay connector with the test lamp connected to battery positive.
  2. Observe the test lamp as you command the high pressure lock-off relay OFF using the scan tool.

Does the test lamp go OFF as commanded?

--

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 21

21

  1. Test the lock-off relay control circuit for a short to ground.
  2. Repair the wiring as necessary.

Was a wiring repair performed?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 26

22

  1. Idle the engine.
  2. Command the high pressure lock-off relay OFF while observing the fuel tank pressure sensor data parameter.
  3. Close the manual tank valve at the front CNG fuel tank by turning the allen screw clock-wise until fully seated.

Does the fuel tank pressure decrease when the manual tank valve is closed?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 24

23

Replace the front tank high pressure lock-off solenoid. Refer to High Pressure Lock-Off Solenoid Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

24

Replace the rear tank high pressure lock-off solenoid. Refer to High Pressure Lock-Off Solenoid Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

25

Replace the lock-off relay.

Is the repair complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

26

  1. Replace the Alternative Fuels ECM. Refer to Alternative Fuels Engine Control Module Replacement .
  2. Program the replacement control module with the correct vehicle software and calibration.

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

27

  1. Remove all test equipment except the scan tool.
  2. Connect any disconnected components, fuses, etc.
  3. Using a scan tool, clear DTC information from the Alternative Fuels ECM and the gasoline control module (VCM/PCM or ECM).
  4. Turn OFF the ignition and wait 30 seconds.
  5. Start the engine and operate the vehicle.
  6. Observe the fuel indicator lamp and the MIL.
  7. Observe the vehicle's performance and driveability.
  8. After operating the vehicle, inspect both control modules for stored DTCs.

Does the vehicle operate on CNG with normal driveability, no FIL/MIL illumination, and no stored DTCs?

--

System OK

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Alternative Fuels (Engine Controls)