Checks
| Action
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Definition:
A steady or jerking that follows engine speed, usually more pronounced as
the engine load increases which is not normally felt above 1500 RPM
or 48 km/h (30 mph).. The exhaust has a steady spitting sound
at idle, low speed, or hard acceleration for the fuel starvation that can
cause the engine to cut-out.
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Preliminary Check
| Refer to Important Preliminary Checks
.
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Ignition System Checks
| Check for a cylinder misfire:
- Start the engine.
- Allow the engine to stabilize.
- Then disconnect the Idle Air Control (IAC) motor.
Notice: Do not perform this test for more than 2 minutes in order to
prevent damaging the catalytic converter.
- Remove one spark plug wire at a time using insulated pliers.
- If there is a RPM drop on all cylinders (equal to within 50 RPM),
go to Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling
.
- Reconnect the IAC motor with the ignition OFF.
- If there is no RPM drop on one or more of the cylinders, or excessive
variation in drop, check for spark on the suspected cylinders with a J 26792
or the equivalent.
- If there is no spark, refer to Enhanced Ignition System Diagnosis (Overview)
for the 4.3L or
Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis
for the 2.2L.
- If there is spark, remove the spark plugs in these cylinders and
check for the following conditions:
- | Check the spark plug wire resistance (should not exceed 30,000 ohms). |
- | Check the distributor rotor and the distributor cap. |
- | If the previous check did not find the problem, visually check
the following items: |
• | The ignition system for moisture, dust, cracks, burns, etc. |
• | With the engine running, spray the plug wires with a fine water
mist to check for shorts. |
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Engine Mechanical
Checks
|
• | Perform a cylinder compression check. Refer to Engine Mechanical. |
• | Check the engine for the following: |
- | Broken or weak valve springs Refer to Engine Mechanical. |
• | Check the intake and exhaust manifold passages for casting flash.
Refer to Engine Mechanical. |
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Fuel System
Checks
|
• | Check for water contamination in the fuel. |
• | Check the fuel injector driver circuit. |
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Additional
Check
| Check for Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI).
The EMI on the reference circuit can cause a missing condition.
Monitoring the engine RPM with a scan tool can detect an EMI.
A sudden increase in the RPM with little change in the actual engine
RPM, indicates EMI is present.
If the problem exists, check the routing of the secondary wires and
the ground circuit.
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