GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

DTC P0622 Diesel

Circuit Description

The engine control module (ECM)/powertrain control module (PCM) uses the generator field duty cycle signal circuit to monitor the duty cycle of the generator. The generator field duty cycle signal circuit connects to the high side of the field winding in the generator. A pulse width modulated (PWM) high side driver in the voltage regulator turns the field winding ON and OFF. The ECM/PCM uses the PWM signal input to determine the generator load on the engine. This allows the ECM/PCM to adjust the idle speed to compensate for high electrical loads.

The ECM/PCM monitors the state of the generator field duty cycle signal circuit. When the key is in the RUN position and the engine is OFF, the ECM/PCM should detect a duty cycle near 0 percent. However, when the engine is running, the duty cycle should be between 5 percent and 100 percent. The ECM/PCM monitors the PWM signal using a key ON test and a RUN test. During the tests, if the ECM/PCM detects an out of range PWM signal, DTC P0622 will set. When the DTC sets, the ECM/PCM will send a class 2 serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to illuminate the charge indicator.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0622 Generator F-Terminal Circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC

Key ON Test

    • No generator, crankshaft position (CKP) sensors, or camshaft position (CMP) sensor DTCs are set.
    • The key is in the RUN position.
    • The engine is not running.

Run Test

    • No generator, CKP sensors, or CMP sensor DTCs are set.
    • The engine is less than 3,000 RPM.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • During the ignition ON test, the ECM/PCM detects a PWM signal is between 10-40 percent for more than 6 seconds.
    • During the RUN test, the ECM/PCM detects a PWM signal less then 5 percent for more than 6 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The ECM/PCM will store the conditions present when the DTC set as Fail Records data only.
    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The Conditions for Setting the DTC are no longer present.
    • A history DTC will clear after 40 malfunction-free ignition cycles.
    • The ECM/PCM receives the clear code command from the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

On vehicles equipped with a sense circuit connected to the voltage regulator. This circuit must have voltage for the charging system to operate properly. This circuit is used as a reference to control system voltage. All circuits must be tested at the generator before replacing any components. refer to system schematic to confirm if the vehicle being serviced uses the sense circuit as part of the charging system.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Electrical Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. If DTC  P0621 is also set diagnose that DTC first, refer to Diagnostic Aids.
  2. Install a scan tool.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. With a scan tool, monitor the DTC information for DTC P0622.

Does the scan tool indicate that DTC P0622 has passed?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

Test the F-terminal signal circuit for a short to voltage, short to ground or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of generator. Refer to Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 5

5

Replace the Generator. Refer to Generator Replacement .

Did you compete the replacement?

Go to Step 6

--

6

  1. Review and record the scan tool Fail Records data.
  2. Clear any DTCs.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the Fail Records conditions as noted.
  4. Using a scan tool, monitor the Specific DTC info for this DTC.

Does the scan tool indicate that this DTC failed this ignition?

Go to Step 2

System OK

DTC P0622 Gasoline

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 provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0622: Generator F-Terminal Circuit

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) uses the generator field duty cycle signal circuit to monitor the duty cycle of the generator. The generator field duty cycle signal circuit connects to high side of the field windings in the generator. A pulse width modulated (PWM) high side driver in the voltage regulator turns the field windings ON and OFF. The ECM uses the PWM signal input to determine the generator load on the engine. This allows the ECM to adjust the idle speed to compensate for high electrical loads. The ECM monitors the status of the generator field duty cycle signal circuit. When the key is in the RUN position and the engine is OFF, the ECM should detect a duty cycle near 0 percent. However, when the engine is running, the duty cycle should be between 5-95 percent.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The vehicle speed is above 8 km/h (5 mph).
    • The system voltage is between 9.5-18 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM detects a out of range PWM signal during the KEY ON test the ECM detects, a PWM signal greater than 65 percent for at least 5 seconds or during the RUN test a PWM signal less than 5 percent for at least 15 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The ECM will command the charge indicator and or warning message to be illuminated on the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the driver information center (DIC), if equipped.
    • The ECM will not illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
    • The ECM will store conditions, which were present when the DTC set as Fail Records data only.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The ECM will command the message OFF after one trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and passed.
    • The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • Using the scan tool Clear DTC Information function can clear the DTC.

Diagnostic Aids

On vehicles equipped with a sense circuit connected to the voltage regulator. This circuit must have voltage for the charging system to operate properly. This circuit is used as a reference to control system voltage. All circuits must be tested at the generator before replacing any components. refer to system schematic to confirm if the vehicle being serviced uses the sense circuit as part of the charging system.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Starting and Charging Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Engine Electrical Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions

Circuit/System Verification

With the scan tool installed, ignition ON and the engine running, observe the GEN-F Terminal Signal parameter in the ECM data list. The GEN-F Terminal Signal parameter should read between 5 and 95  percent.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. If DTC  P0621 is also set diagnose that DTC first, refer to Diagnostic Aids.
  2. Ignition OFF, disconnect the generator harness connector.
  3. The ignition ON, engine OFF, connect a test lamp to battery positive voltage and repeatedly probe the generator field duty cycle circuit, harness side while monitoring the GEN-F Terminal Signal Parameter in the data list, it should change from less than 5   percent to above 95  percent.
  4. If the GEN-F Terminal Signal parameter was not affected by the test lamp, test the GEN-F Terminal Signal circuit for a short to ground, a high resistance, an open circuit. If the circuit tests normal replace the ECM.
  5. If the circuit tests normal during the Ignition ON / Run tests, and the ECM parameter changed from less than 5 percent to above 95  percent replace the generator.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming
    •  Generator Replacement for generator replacement