GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The engine control module (ECM) enables the appropriate fuel injector on the compression stroke for each cylinder. The ECM controls the fuel injection control module (FICM) by grounding the control circuit via a solid state device called a driver. The ECM monitors the state of the driver. If the ECM detects an incorrect voltage for the commanded state of an injector driver, DTCs P1223, P1226, P1229, P1232, P1235, P1238, P1241, or P1244 will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine is running.
    • The ignition voltage is between 6-18 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The ECM detects that the command state and the actual state of the control circuit does not match.
    • The condition exists for less than one second.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module stores the DTC information into memory when the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Failure Records.
    • The driver information center, if equipped, may display a message.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • A current DTC Last Test Failed clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other non-emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Refer to the following table to determine which fuel injector control circuit is malfunctioning.

DTC

Cylinder

P1223

1

P1226

2

P1229

3

P1232

4

P1235

5

P1238

6

P1241

7

P1244

8

Test Description

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

  1. This step determines how many fuel injector control circuit DTCs are set. If there is only 1 fuel injector DTC set, an open circuit, or poor connection is likely the cause of the concern. Refer to Diagnostic Aids in order to determine which cylinder is causing the condition.

  2. This step determines if there are 4 or more fuel injector control circuit DTCs are set. A short to ground will set 4 fuel injector control circuit DTCs for cylinders 2, 3, 5, 8, or cylinders 1, 4, 6, 7. Refer to Diagnostic Aids in order to determine which cylinders are affected. If there are more than 4 fuel injector control circuit DTCs set, a short to voltage on a fuel injector control circuit is likely the cause of the concern. A short to voltage will set more than 4 fuel injector control circuit DTCs.

  3. Jumpering this control circuit to ground energizes the relay supplying power to the FICM, allowing the FICM to power up without ECM control. This step verifies the FICM is supplying the appropriate voltage through the fuel injector control circuits to the ECM. If the DMM displays 5 volts, inspect for a poor connection at the ECM.

  4. This step is testing for a short to ground on a fuel injector control circuit. If the test lamp illuminates on any fuel injector control circuit, a short to ground is the cause of the condition.

  5. This step is testing for a short to a voltage. If the DMM displays a voltage greater than the specified value, a short to voltage is the cause of the condition.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Control Module Connector End Views or Engine Controls Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Start and idle the engine.
  2. Monitor the DTC Failed This Ignition parameter with a scan tool.

Do any of the DTCs P1223-1244 fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Intermittent Conditions

4

Is there only 1 fuel injector control circuit DTC set?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 5

5

Are more than 4 of the fuel injector control circuit DTCs set?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connector C1 of the ECM.
  3. Install a jumper wire between the FICM relay control circuit in the connector and ground. Refer to Engine Control Module Connector End Views .
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  5. Measure the voltage of the appropriate fuel injector control circuit with a DMM. Refer to Diagnostic Aids and Measuring Voltage in Wiring Systems.

Is the voltage near the specified value?

5 V

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connectors of the FICM. Refer to Fuel Injector Control Module Replacement .
  3. Test the appropriate fuel injector control circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 12

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connector C1 of the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement .
  3. Probe the affected fuel injector control circuits with a test lamp to B+. Refer to Diagnostic Aids and Probing Electrical Connectors in Wiring Systems.

Does the test lamp illuminate on any of the fuel injector control circuits?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 15

9

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connector C1 of the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement .
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Measure the voltage from all of the fuel injector control circuits with a DMM. Refer to Probing Electrical Connectors in Wiring Systems.

Is the voltage more than the specified value on any of the fuel injector control circuits?

0 V

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 15

10

Test the appropriate fuel injector control circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 14

11

Test the appropriate fuel injector control circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 14

12

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the FICM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Repairing Connector Terminals in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 14

13

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Repairing Connector Terminals in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 15

14

Replace the FICM. Refer to Fuel Injector Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

15

Replace the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

16

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 2

17

Observe the stored information with a scan tool.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK