GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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.

  1. 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:

  2. • 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.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

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Go to Diagnostic System Check in Antilock Brake System

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check