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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2000 🢒 Bonneville 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L 🢒 Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2

Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2 L67

Circuit Description

The scan tool energizes the fuel pump and then the injectors for a precise amount of time, allowing a measured amount of fuel into the manifold. This causes a drop in the system fuel pressure that can be recorded and used to compare each injector.

Test Description

Caution: Wrap a shop towel around the fuel pressure connection in order to reduce the risk of fire and personal injury. The towel will absorb any fuel leakage that occurs during the connection of the fuel pressure gage. Place the towel in an approved container when the connection of the fuel pressure gage is complete.

  1. The engine coolant temperature must be below the operating temperature in order to avoid irregular fuel pressure readings due to Hot Soak fuel boiling.

  2. The fuel pressure should be within the specified range. If the fuel pressure is not within the specified range, refer to the Fuel System Diagnosis.

  3. The fuel pressure should reach a steady value. If the fuel pressure does not reach a steady value, refer to the Fuel System Diagnosis.

  4. If the pressure drop value for each fuel injector is within 10 kPa (1.5 psi) of the average pressure drop value, the fuel injectors are flowing correctly. Calculate the pressure drop value for each fuel injector by subtracting the second pressure reading from the first pressure reading.

Fuel Injector Balance Test Procedure

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

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

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Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Did you perform the Fuel Injector Coil Test?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) or Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Outside 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F)

3

Is the engine coolant temperature more than the specified value?

94°C (201°F)

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

Allow the engine to cool to less than the specified value.

Is the engine coolant temperature less than the specified value?

94°C (201°F)

Go to Step 5

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5

Caution: Wrap a shop towel around the fuel pressure connection in order to reduce the risk of fire and personal injury. The towel will absorb any fuel leakage that occurs during the connection of the fuel pressure gage. Place the towel in an approved container when the connection of the fuel pressure gage is complete.

  1. Turn off the ignition.
  2. Connect the J 34730-1A fuel pressure gauge to the fuel pressure test port.
  3. Turn on the ignition, leaving the engine off.
  4. Install the scan tool.
  5. Energize the fuel pump with the scan tool.
  6. Place the bleed hose of the fuel pressure gauge into an approved gasoline container.
  7. Bleed the air from the fuel pressure gauge.
  8. Energize the fuel pump with the scan tool.
  9. Wait for the fuel pressure to build.

    10. Important: The fuel pump will run for approximately 2 seconds. Repeat Step 8 as necessary in order to achieve the highest possible fuel pressure.

  10. Observe the reading on the fuel pressure gauge while the fuel pump is running.

Is the fuel pressure within the specified range?

333-376 kPa (48-55 psi)

Go to Step 6

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis

6

After the fuel pump stops, the fuel pressure may vary slightly, then should hold steady.

Does the fuel pressure remain constant within the specified range?

333-376 kPa (48-55 psi)

Go to Step 7

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis

7
  1. Turn off the ignition.
  2. Turn on the ignition, leaving the engine off.
  3. Select Special Functions on the scan tool.
  4. Select Fuel Systems.
  5. Select Injector Balance Test.
  6. Select an injector to be tested.
  7. Press Enter. This will prime the fuel pump.
  8. Record the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gauge after the fuel pressure stabilizes. This is the 1st pressure reading.
  9. Energize the fuel injector by depressing the Pulse Injector button on the scan tool. This will energize the injector and decrease the fuel pressure.
  10. Record the fuel pressure indicated by the fuel pressure gauge after the fuel pressure gauge needle has stopped moving. This is the 2nd pressure reading.
  11. Press Enter again to bring you back to the Select Injector screen.
  12. Repeat Step 6 through Step 11 for each fuel injector.
  13. Subtract the 2nd pressure reading from the 1st pressure reading for one fuel injector. The result is the pressure drop value.
  14. Obtain a pressure drop value for each fuel injector.
  15. Add all of the individual pressure drop values. This is the total pressure drop.
  16. Divide the total pressure drop by the number of fuel injectors. This is the average pressure drop.

Does any fuel injector have a pressure drop value that is more than the average pressure drop or less than the average pressure drop by the specified value?

10 kPa (1.5 psi)

Go to Step 8

Go to Symptoms

8

Notice: Do Not repeat any portion of this test before running the engine in order to prevent the engine from flooding.

Re-test any fuel injector that does not meet the specification. Refer to the procedure in Step 7.

Does any fuel injector have a pressure drop value that is more than the average pressure drop or less than the average pressure drop by the specified value?

10 kPa (1.5 psi)

Go to Step 9

Go to Symptoms

9

Replace the faulty fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

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System OK

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