GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 29653  Size: LF

Circuit Description

The PCM times the intervals between each pulse of the crankshaft position sensor and compares each time interval with the other 8 to determine when an excessive change in crankshaft speed has occurred. This pulse is generated from a 4X reluctor wheel located on the front of the crankshaft. If the crankshaft speed is less than an expected amount, the PCM will increase the amount of fuel needed to correct the misfire. If the amount of fuel exceeds the calibrated value, the PCM will interpret this as a misfire and set the DTC. The misfire diagnostic is used only to identify a week cylinder needing additional fuel. This diagnostic will only run once per ignition cycle.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • This diagnostic will only run once per ignition cycle.
    • Engine coolant temperature greater than 56°C (132°F).
    • Engine idling for a total of 90 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The amount of fuel added is greater than the calibrated value (internal to PCM).

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive drive trip the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the Failure Records store this information. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive drive trip, the Freeze Frame records the operating conditions at the time of failure and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • A History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emisions related diagnostic.
    • The use of a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Important: Only diagnosis DTCs that display a status of Last Test Failed or Failed This Igniton. Do not diagnosis any history DTCs. It's also possible multiple History DTCs will set on a severe mechanical failure (total loss of compression).

It's possible adjacent misfire DTCs in the firing order may set (the PCM will add fuel to the adjacent cylinders to improve idle quality). The snap shot function on the scan tool can be used to determine exactly which misfire DTC set first. A misfire DTC will only run once per igniton cycle at idle. After 90 seconds of idle time has elapsed, and the misfire DTC has passed, a misfire DTC will not set that ignition cycle. It maybe necessary to perform multiple ignition cycles.

The most likely cause for this DTC is the following:

    • A mechanical failure is causing low cylinder compression.
    • A fuel leak at the high pressure fuel injection lines or injection nozzles.
    • A fuel injection nozzle is stuck closed.

If an injection nozzle is suspected, it can be transferred to another cylinder to determine if the DTC follows the nozzle.

After the repair has been performed, it may take approximately 30 seconds for the vehicle to return to a stable idle.