GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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 Descriptors

DTC P0641: 5V Reference Circuit 1 Malfunction

DTC P0651: 5V Reference Circuit 2 Malfunction

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1 5-Volt Reference 2 Circuit

P0651

P2122

P0651

--

Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 2 5-Volt Reference 1 Circuit

P0641

P2127

P0641

--

Air Conditioning (A/C) Refrigerant Pressure Sensor 5-Volt Reference 1 Circuit

P0641

P0532

P0641

--

Fuel Tank Pressure (FTP) Sensor 5-Volt Reference 1 Circuit

P0641

P0452

P0641

--

Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor 5-Volt Reference 1 Circuit

P0641

P0107

P0641

--

Throttle Position (TP) Sensor 1 and 2 5-Volt Reference 2 Circuit

P0651

P0122, P0222

P0651

--

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) has 2 internal 5-volt reference buses called 5 volt reference 1 and 5 volt reference 2. Each reference bus provides 5 volt reference circuits for more than one sensor. Therefore a fault condition on one 5 volt reference circuit will affect the other 5 volt reference circuits connected to that reference bus. The ECM monitors the voltage on the 5 volt reference buses.

The 5 volt reference 1 bus provides 5 volts to the following sensors:

    • The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor.
    • The air conditioning (A/C) refrigerant pressure sensor.
    • The accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor 2.
    • The engine oil pressure (EOP) sensor.
    • The camshaft position (CMP) sensor.

The 5 volt reference 2 bus provides 5 volts to the following sensors:

    • The APP sensor 1.
    • The throttle position (TP) sensor 1 and 2.
    • The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is in the Unlock/Accessory, Run or Crank position.
    • The ignition voltage is more than 12 volts.
    • DTCs P0641 and P0651 run continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM detects a voltage out of tolerance condition on the 5-volt reference 1 or 2 bus for more than 0.5 second.

Action Taken when the DTC Sets

DTCs P0641 or P0651 are type A DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0641 or P0651 are type A DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References

Circuit/System Verification

P0641

Ignition ON, engine OFF, observe the MAP sensor voltage parameter with a scan tool . The scan tool should display 3.6-4.8 volts for a normally operating system.

P0651

Ignition ON , engine OFF, observe the APP sensor 1 voltage parameter with a scan tool. The scan tool should display 0.75-1.25 volt for a normally operating system.

Circuit/System Testing

P0641

  1. Disconnect the MAP sensor harness connector.
  2. Ignition ON, engine OFF. Using DMM measure for 4.8-5.2 volts between the 5 volt reference circuit of the MAP sensor harness connector and a known ground.
  3. If the voltage is not within 4.8-5.2 volts, monitor the DMM while disconnecting all other sensors connected to the 5 volt reference 1 bus, one at a time. If the voltage returns to 4.8-5.2 volts when a sensor is disconnected, replace that sensor.
    If the voltage is within 4.8-5.2 volts,
    Reconnect all sensors except the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor. If the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor is still connected, disconnect it.
    Using a DMM measure for 4.8-5.2 volts between the 5 volt reference circuit of the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor harness connector and a known ground.
    If the voltage is not within 4.8-5.2 volts, test for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance on the MAP sensor signal circuit or a faulty MAP sensor.
  4. Continue to measure for 4.8-5.2 volts from the 5 volt reference circuit of the MAP sensor to a known ground.
  5. Important: If a short to voltage occurs on the 5 volt reference circuit the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor may be damaged.

    If the voltage is more than 5.2 volts, test for a short to voltage on the 5 volt reference circuits of all the sensors connected to the 5 volt reference 1 bus or a short to voltage on the FTP sensor signal circuit. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.
    If the voltage is less than 4.8 volts, test for a short to ground or an open/high resistance on the 5 volt reference circuits of all the sensors connected to the 5 volt reference 1 bus. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.

P0651

  1. Disconnect the throttle body harness connector.
  2. Ignition ON, engine OFF. Using a DMM measure for 4.8-5.2 volts between the 5 volt reference circuit of the throttle body harness connector and a known ground.
  3. If the voltage is not within 4.8-5.2 volts, monitor the DMM while disconnecting all other sensors connected to the 5 volt reference 2 bus, one at a time. If the voltage returns to 4.8-5.2 volts when a sensor is disconnected, replace the sensor.
    If the voltage is within 4.8-5.2 volts,
    Reconnect all sensors, leaving the accelerator pedal sensor module connector disconnected. If the accelerator pedal sensor module connector is still connected disconnect it.
    Ignition ON, engine OFF. Using a DMM measure for 4.8-5.2 volts between the APP sensor 5  volt reference circuit of the APP sensor harness connector and a known ground.
    If the voltage is not within 4.8-5.2 volts, replace the throttle body assembly.
  4. Continue to measure for 4.8-5.2 volts between the 5 volt reference circuit of the throttle body harness connector and a known ground.
  5. If the voltage is more than 5.2 volts, test for a short to voltage on the 5 volt reference circuits of all the sensors connected to the 5 volt reference 2 bus. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM
    If the voltage is less than 4.8 volts, test for a short to ground or an open/high resistance on the 5 volt reference circuits of all the sensors connected to the 5 volt reference 2 bus. If the circuits test normal, replace the ECM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Replacement .
    •  Air Conditioning (A/C) Refrigerant Pressure Sensor Replacement .
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup and programming
    •  Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Replacement .
    •  Throttle Body Assembly Replacement .