Circuit Description
The powertrain control module (PCM) detects engine misfire by detecting
variations in crankshaft deceleration between firing strokes. For accurate
detection of engine misfire, the PCM must distinguish between
crankshaft deceleration caused by actual misfire and deceleration
caused by rough road conditions. The antilock brake system (ABS)
can detect if the vehicle is on a rough road based on wheel acceleration
or deceleration data supplied by the wheel speed sensors. If the
ABS detects rough road above a predetermined threshold, this
information is sent to the PCM via serial data. The PCM can then
take the rough road into account when calculating misfire. Even
if the ABS is malfunctioning and cannot detect rough roads, the
misfire diagnostic will continue to run. However, if a misfire DTC
sets, this additional DTC also sets indicating that rough road data
was not available during the misfire calculation due to a serial
data malfunction.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | The vehicle speed is above 16 km/h (10 mph). |
| • | The engine speed is below 3,200 RPM. |
| • | The engine load is less than 60 percent. |
| • | Engine misfire is detected and is DTC P0300 set. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | A serial data malfunction exists preventing the PCM from receiving
rough road detection data. |
| • | The above conditions are met for 20 seconds. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The powertrain control module (PCM) stores the DTC information into memory
when the diagnostic runs and fails. |
| • | The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate. |
| • | The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails.
The PCM stores this information in the Failure Records. |
Conditions for Clearing the DTC
| • | A last test failed, or current DTC, clears when the diagnostic
runs and does not fail. |
| • | A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles,
if no failures are reported by this or any other non-emission related diagnostic. |
| • | Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTC. |
Diagnostic Aids
Important: Remove any debris from the PCM connector surfaces before servicing the
PCM. Inspect the PCM connector gaskets when diagnosing or replacing
the PCM. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The gaskets
prevent water intrusion into the PCM.
Using the Freeze Frame and Failure Records data may aid in locating
an intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information
included in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records data can help
determine how many miles since the DTC set. The Fail Counter
and Pass Counter can also help determine how many ignition cycles
the diagnostic reported a pass or a fail. Operate the vehicle
within the same Freeze Frame conditions, such as RPM, load, vehicle
speed, temperature etc., that you observed. This will isolate when
the DTC failed. For an intermittent condition, refer to
Symptoms
.
Test Description
The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.
-
Service the
ABS before diagnosing for a misfire, because an actual engine misfire may
or may not exist. The following 2 examples illustrate how this
DTC can be set with or without an actual engine misfire:
| • | There was an actual engine misfire during an ABS malfunction. |
| • | The vehicle operator drove on a rough road, the ABS could not
detect this due to a malfunction, and the PCM interpreted the variations
in crankshaft speed caused by the rough road as a misfire. |
