GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provide an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P3401: Cylinder 1 Deactivation Solenoid Control Circuit

DTC P3425: Cylinder 4 Deactivation Solenoid Control Circuit

DTC P3441: Cylinder 6 Deactivation Solenoid Control Circuit

DTC P3449: Cylinder 7 Deactivation Solenoid Control Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition 1 Voltage Circuit to Deactivation Solenoids

P3401, P3425, P3441, P3449

P3401, P3425, P3441, P3449

P3401, P3425, P3441, P3449

--

Deactivation Solenoid Control Circuits

P3401, P3425, P3441, P3449

P3401, P3425, P3441, P3449

P3401, P3425, P3441, P3449

--

Typical Scan Tool Data

Cylinder Deactivation System Command

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Vehicle traveling at 40 mph, under a light load and steady throttle input

Normal Range: V4 mode

Cylinder Deactivation System Command

V8 mode

V8 mode

--

Cylinder 1, 4, 6, 7 Deactivation Solenoid Command

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Vehicle traveling at 40 mph, under a light load and steady throttle input

Normal Range: ON

Cylinder 1, 4, 6, 7 Deactivation Solenoid Command

OFF

OFF

--

Cylinder 1, 4, 6, 7 Deactivation Solenoid Circuit Status

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Vehicle traveling at 40 mph, under a light load and steady throttle input

Normal Range: Incomplete or OK

Cylinder 1, 4, 6, 7 Deactivation Solenoid Circuit Status

Short to GRD/Open

Short to GRD/Open

--

Cylinder Deactivation Performance

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Vehicle traveling at 40 mph, under a light load and steady throttle input

Normal Range: OK

Cylinder Deactivation Performance

Fault

Fault

--

Circuit/System Description

Each of the four valve lifter oil manifold (VLOM) solenoid windings, are connected in parallel to a fused ignition circuit, supplied by the powertrain relay, in the underhood fuse block. The control circuit for each solenoid is connected to an individual low side driver, internal to the engine control module (ECM). Each low side driver has its own fault detection circuit, which monitors the solenoid control circuit for an incorrect voltage level. If an incorrect voltage level, such as an open/high resistance, or short to ground is detected, the low side driver will turn OFF, and the fault detection circuit will communicate the condition to the central processor internal to the ECM. These DTCs will set when the ECM detects an incorrect voltage level on the ignition circuit, the solenoids, or a solenoid control circuit, after the ignition switch is turned ON. If a VLOM solenoid control circuit DTC is set, the ECM will command V8 mode, turn ON the malfunction indicator light (MIL), and turn OFF the fuel injector for that cylinder, resulting in an engine misfire.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine speed is greater than 400 RPM.
    • The ignition voltage is between 9-18 volts.
    • DTC P3401, P3425, P3441, and P3449 runs continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The ECM detects that the commanded state of the low side driver and the actual voltage level of the control circuit do not match.
    • The condition is present for 20 out of 25 sample counts.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • DTC P3401, P3425, P3441, and P3449 are type B DTCs.
    • The engine will return to V8 mode.
    • The fuel injector will turn OFF for the cylinder that has a cylinder deactivation DTC set, resulting in an engine misfire.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTC P3401, P3425, P3441, and P3449 are type B DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

The VLOM solenoids are assigned to the following engine cylinders:

    • Solenoid #1 = Cylinder #1
    • Solenoid #2 = Cylinder #4
    • Solenoid #3 = Cylinder #6
    • Solenoid #4 = Cylinder #7

Important: This test procedure requires that the vehicle battery has passed a load test and is completely charged. Refer to Battery Inspection/Test .

  1. Ignition ON, engine OFF, measure and record the ignition voltage at the fuse for the VLOM assembly.
  2. Remove the fuse for the VLOM assembly from the underhood fuse block.
  3. Connect a DMM in series with a 15A fused jumper wire and a non-fused jumper wire across the exposed fuse terminals in the underhood fuse block.
  4. Select the 10A range and zero out the DMM display.
  5. Command each VLOM solenoid ON with a scan tool.
  6. Record the amperage reading display on the DMM for each solenoid.
  7. Calculate the resistance for each solenoid circuit. Divide the previously recorded voltage by the amperage for each VLOM solenoid circuit. The total resistance for each solenoid circuit should be within 11-22 ohms.
  8. If the total circuit resistance exceeds 22 ohms, an open/high resistance condition exists in the VLOM solenoid circuit.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views
    •  Electrical Center Identification Views

Description and Operation

Cylinder Deactivation (Active Fuel Management) System Description

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Mechanical Information Reference

Cylinder Deactivation (Active Fuel Management) System Diagnosis

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Special Tools Required

EN-46999 Displacement On Demand Tester

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, engine OFF, command each VLOM solenoid ON and OFF several times using the scan tool. Listen for the VLOM solenoids to turn ON and OFF.

If the vehicle passes the Circuit/System Verification, then operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that are captured in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records Data List.

Circuit/System Testing

Important: Perform the Circuit/System Verification first.

  1. Ignition OFF, remove the fuel pump fuse or the fuse for the fuel system control module.
  2. Perform the Fuel Pressure Relief .
  3. Remove the Intake Manifold.
  4. Disconnect the VLOM harness connector.
  5. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal E, and ground.
  6. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the ignition circuit fuse is open, test or replace the VLOM assembly.
  7. Connect a test lamp between the appropriate control circuit terminal and the ignition circuit terminal E.
  8. Command the VLOM solenoid ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  9. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit test normal, replace the ECM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage, or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the VLOM assembly.

Component Testing

Important: Perform the Circuit/System Testing first.

Static Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the VLOM harness connector at the VLOM assembly.
  2. Connect the cable that is labeled resistance from the EN-46999 to the VLOM connector.
  3. Connect the power leads from the EN-46999 to B+ and ground. Test for 11-18 ohms of resistance on each VLOM solenoid.
  4. If the resistance is not within the specified range for each solenoid, replace the VLOM assembly.
  5. Test for infinite resistance between each VLOM circuit terminal and the VLOM housing.
  6. If less than infinite resistance, replace the VLOM assembly.

Dynamic Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the VLOM harness connector at the VLOM assembly.
  2. Connect the cable that is labeled power from the displacement on demand EN-46999 to the VLOM connector.
  3. Connect the power leads from the EN-46999 to B+ and ground.
  4. Command each VLOM solenoid ON and OFF using the EN-46999 . You should be able to hear each solenoid turn ON and OFF.
  5. If the function does not perform as specified, replace the VLOM assembly.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Valve Lifter Oil Manifold Replacement
    •  Intake Manifold Removal
    •  Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming