GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 185076  Size: LF
Engine Controls Components
EGR, MAF and Accelerator Pedal Controls
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The accelerator pedal position (APP) module provides a voltage signal that changes relative to accelerator pedal position. There are three sensors located within the APP module that are scaled differently.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The PCM performs this DTC diagnostic continuously.
    • The ignition voltage is more than 6.4 volts.
    • The engine speed is more than 300 RPM.
    • There are no in range faults for the APP 2 sensor or the APP 3 sensor (PCM checks for high and low voltage faults).

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The difference between the APP 1 sensor and the APP 2 sensor is more than 0.23 volts (PCM compares pre-scaled voltage (internal to PCM)).
    • The difference between the APP 1 sensor and the APP 3 sensor is more than 0.50 volts (PCM compares pre-scaled voltage (internal to PCM)).
    • All of the diagnostic set conditions met for 2 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    •  The service throttle soon lamp will not illuminate when one APP DTC sets. The PCM will only illuminate the service throttle soon lamp when multiple APP DTCs set.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information is stored in the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • A History DTC clears after forty consecutive warm-up cycles, if this or any other emission related diagnostic does not report any failures
    • The use of a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

There are no driveability issues associated with the APP module unless a DTC is present. The most likely causes of this DTC are poor connections or the sensor itself. The least likely is a PCM problem.

An intermittent may be caused by the following:

    • Poor connections
    • Rubbed through wire insulation
    • Broken wire inside the insulation

A scan tool reads APP 1 position in volts. It should read about 0.45 to 0.95 volt with the throttle closed and the ignition ON or at idle. Voltage should increase at a steady rate as the throttle is moved toward Wide Open Throttle (WOT). Also, 90% pedal travel is acceptable for correct APP operation. Scan APP 1 sensor while depressing accelerator pedal with the engine off and the ignition ON. Display should vary from about 0.74 volt when the throttle is closed to over about 3.7 volts when the throttle is held at wide open throttle (WOT). The following chart will check voltages on all APP circuits to see if they fall in normal ranges. The PCM compares pre-scaled voltages (these are voltages that the scan tool cannot read). The scan tool reads only output voltages.

An intermittent may be caused by any of the following conditions:

    • A poor connection
    • Rubbed through wire insulation
    • A broken wire inside the insulation

Thoroughly check any circuitry that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis in Wiring Systems.

If a repair is necessary, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. This step determines if there is a good 5 volt reference.

  2. This step will check for an open in the ground circuit.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool Capture Info to save the Freeze Frame and Failure Records for reference. The control module's data is deleted once the Clear Info function is used.

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

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Turn the ignition ON leaving the engine OFF.
  2. With the throttle closed, observe APP voltages on the scan tool.

Are APP voltages at specified values (values listed are APP 1, APP 2, and APP 3 respectively)?

0.45-0.95 V

4.0-4.5 V

3.6-4.1 V

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

The DTC is intermittent. If no additional DTCs are stored, refer to Diagnostic Aids. If additional DTCs were stored, refer to the applicable DTC table(s) first.

Are any additional DTCs stored?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

  1. Disconnect the APP sensor electrical connector.
  2. Turn the ignition ON leaving the engine OFF.
  3. With J 39200 DMM connected to ground, probe APP sensor 5 volt reference circuits at APP harness terminals G, D, and E.

Is the voltage greater than or equal to the specified value on all circuits?

4.75 V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

  1. Turn the ignition ON leaving the engine OFF.
  2. With an J 35616-200 unpowered test lamp connected to B+, probe APP sensor ground circuits at the APP sensor harness terminals A, B, and J.

Is the test light ON (all circuits)?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

6

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Disconnect the PCM and check the 5 volt reference circuit for an open or short to ground.
  3. If the 5 volt reference circuit is open or shorted to ground, repair it as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was the 5 volt reference circuit open or shorted to ground?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 7

7

Check the 5 volt reference circuit for a proper connection at the PCM and replace terminal if necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did the terminal require replacement?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

8

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Disconnect the PCM and check for an open sensor ground circuit to the PCM.
  3. If problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was APP sensor ground circuit open?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10.

9

Replace the APP module. Refer to Accelerator Pedal Position Module Replacement

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 11

--

10

Replace the PCM.

Important: The new PCM must be programmed. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 11

--

11

  1. Using the scan tool, clear the DTCs.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Allow the engine to idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
  4. Select DTC and the Specific DTC function.
  5. Enter the DTC number which was set.
  6. Operate the vehicle, with the Conditions for Setting this DTC, until the scan tool indicates the diagnostic Ran.

Does the scan tool indicate the diagnostic Passed?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 2

12

Does the scan tool display any additional undiagnosed DTCs?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

System OK