GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0351 00: Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit

DTC P0352 00: Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit

DTC P0353 00: Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit

DTC P0354 00: Ignition Coil 4 Control Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition Voltage

1

2

--

--

Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit

P0300 00, P0351 00

P0300 00, P0351 00

P0300 00, P0351 00

--

Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit

P0300 00, P0352 00

P0300 00, P0352 00

P0300 00, P0352 00

--

Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit

P0300 00, P0353 00

P0300 00, P0353 00

P0300 00, P0353 00

--

Ignition Coil 4 Control Circuit

P0300 00, P0354 00

P0300 00, P0354 00

P0300 00, P0354 00

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  1. The engine cranks but does not run and opens the fuse F9 that supplies voltage to the ignition coil.
  2. The engine cranks but does not run.

Circuit/System Description

Ignition voltage is supplied to the ignition coil. The engine control module (ECM) provides a ground for the ignition coil control circuits. When the ECM removes the ground path of the ignition primary coil, the magnetic field produced by the coil collapses. The collapsing magnetic field produces a voltage in the secondary coil which ignites the spark plugs. The sequencing and timing are controlled by the ECM.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine is running.
    • The ignition voltage is greater than 6 V.
    • The DTC runs continuously once the above condition is met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM detects that the commanded state of the driver and the actual state of the control circuit do not match for greater than 5 s.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0351 00, P0352 00, P0353 00 and P0354 00 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0351 00, P0352 00, P0353 00 and P0354 00 are Type B DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

The following conditions can also set the DTC:

    • Inspect the ignition coils for aftermarket devices. An aftermarket device connected to the ignition coil circuits, may cause this DTC to set.
    • The MIL indicator flashes when there is an engine misfire.
    • If the condition is intermittent, moving the related harnesses and connectors, with the engine operating, while monitoring the appropriate scan tool Misfire Current Cylinder parameter may help to isolate the condition.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Electronic Ignition (EI) System Description

Electrical Information Reference

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

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for diagnostic tester information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Start and idle the engine.
  2. Observe the scan tool Cylinder 1 Current Misfire Counter, Cylinder 2 Current Misfire Counter, Cylinder 3 Current Misfire Counter and Cylinder 4 Current Misfire Counter parameters. The counters should not be incrementing.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the freeze frame/failure records data.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the T8 Ignition Coil.
  2. Test for less than 5 Ω between the ground circuit terminal B and ground
  3. If greater than the specified range, repair the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition OFF for 1 min, test for less than 5 Ω between the low reference circuit terminal C and ground.
  5. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM).
  6. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition voltage circuit terminal A and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the ignition voltage circuit fuse F9 is open, test all components connected to the ignition voltage circuit and replace as necessary.

    Note: Set the DMM to the DC Hertz scale for this test.

  8. Connect a DMM between the appropriate ignition control circuit listed below and ground.
  9. • Ignition coil 1 control terminal D
    • Ignition coil 2 control terminal E
    • Ignition coil 3 control terminal F
    • Ignition coil 4 control terminal G
  10. Engine cranking, test for greater than 1.5 hertz between each of the appropriate ignition control circuit and ground.
  11. If less than the specified range, test the ignition control circuit for a short to voltage, short to ground, or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K20 Engine Control Module (ECM).
  12. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the T8 Ignition Coil.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Ignition Coil Replacement
    •  Control Module References for Engine Control Module replacement, setup, and programming