GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 1999 🢒 Firebird 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L 🢒 Poor Fuel Economy

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DEFINITION : Fuel economy, as measured by an actual road test, is noticeably lower than expected. Also, fuel economy is noticeably lower than it was on this vehicle at one time, as previously shown by an actual road test.

Preliminary
    • Refer to Important Preliminary Checks Before Starting in Symptoms .
    • Search for bulletins.
    • Check the PCM grounds for being clean, tight, and in the proper locations. Refer to Engine Controls Schematics .
    • Check the owners driving habits.
       - Is the A/C ON or the Defroster mode ON full time?
       - Are the tires at the correct pressure?
       - Is there excessively heavy loads being carried?
       - Is the acceleration rate too much, too often?
    • Remove the air filter element and check for dirt or for being restricted. Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement . Replace as necessary.

Fuel System
    • Check the type, quality and alcohol content of the fuel. Oxygenated fuels have lower energy and may deliver reduced fuel economy. Refer to Fuel System Specifications and Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Check for incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Check for a restricted fuel filter. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Check for a contaminated fuel condition. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Check that each injector harness is connected to the correct injector/cylinder according to the firing order (firing order: 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3). Relocate injector harnesses as necessary.
    • Check for foreign material accumulation in the throttle bore, coking on the throttle valve, or on the throttle shaft. Also inspect for throttle body tampering. Refer to Throttle Body Cleaning .
    • Check items that cause an engine to run rich (long term fuel trim near -13%). For a rich condition, refer to DTC P0132 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 1 and DTC P0152 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Bank 2 Sensor 1 .

Sensor/System
    • Check the air intake system and crankcase for air leaks.
    • Check the crankcase ventilation valve for proper operation. Place a finger over the inlet hole in the valve end several times. The valve should snap back. If not, replace the valve.
    • Check for proper calibration of speedometer. Connect Signal Generator J 33431-B to the VSS electrical connector. Turn ON the ignition with the tester ON and monitor the speedometer. The speedometer should indicate 86 km/h (54 mph). If not, refer to Instrument Cluster System Check in Instrument Panel, Gauges and Console.
    • Use a scan tool in order to monitor the KS system for excessive spark retard activity. Refer to Knock Sensor (KS) System Description .

Ignition System
    • Check for proper ignition voltage output with spark tester J 26792 . Refer to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis .
    • Remove the spark plugs and check for the following:
       - Wet plugs
       - Cracks
       - Wear
       - Improper gap
       - Burned electrodes
       - Heavy deposits

Refer to Spark Plug Visual Diagnosis .

    • An improper spark plug gap will cause a driveability problem. Gap the spark plugs using a wire gauge gap tool (J 41319). Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
    • Determine the cause of the fouling before replacing the spark plugs if the spark plugs are gas, coolant, or oil fouled. Refer to DTC P0172 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 1 or DTC P0175 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 2 for diagnosis of the rich condition. Refer to Spark Plug Visual Diagnosis in Engine Electrical for diagnosis of coolant or oil fouled spark plugs.
    • Visually/Physically inspect the secondary ignition for the following:
       - Ignition wires arcing to ground
       - Ignition wires for proper routing
    • Wetting down the secondary ignition system with water from a spray bottle may help locate damaged or deteriorated components. Look/listen for arcing or misfiring as you apply water.
    • Check for loose ignition coil grounds. Refer to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis .

Engine Cooling System
    • Check the engine coolant level for being low. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
    • Check the engine thermostat for proper operation and heat range. Refer to Thermostat Diagnosis in Engine Cooling.

Engine Mechanical
    • Check engine mechanical for the following:
       - Check compression. Refer to Engine Compression Test in Engine Mechanical.
       - Sticking or leaking valves. Refer to Valve Train Diagnosis .
       - Worn camshaft lobes. Refer to Valve Train Diagnosis .
       - Valve timing. Refer to Valve Train Diagnosis .
       - Bent push rods. Refer to Valve Train Diagnosis .
       - Worn rocker arms. Refer to Valve Train Diagnosis .
       - Broken valve springs. Refer to Valve Train Diagnosis .
       - Excessive oil in combustion chamber-Leaking valve seals. Refer to Oil Consumption Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical.
    • For incorrect basic engine parts. Inspect for the following:
       - Camshaft
       - Cylinder heads
       - Pistons, etc.

Refer to Engine/Engine Mechanical for diagnosis procedures.

Additional Checks
    • Visually (physically) check the vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, and proper connections and routing as shown on Vehicle Emission Control Information label.
    • Check the Transmission Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) operation. The scan tool should indicate a RPM drop, when the system commands the TCC ON. Refer to Functional Test in Automatic Transmission 4L60-E.
    • Check the exhaust system for a possible restriction. Check for the following:
       - Inspect the exhaust system for damaged or collapsed pipes. Refer to Restricted Exhaust in Engine Exhaust.
       - Inspect the exhaust manifold for a collapsed inner wall. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Exhaust.
       - Inspect the mufflers for heat distress or possible internal failure. Refer to Internal Muffler Rattles/Loss of Power in Engine Exhaust. Internal Muffler Rattles/Loss of Power
       - Inspect for possible plugged Three-Way catalytic converters by comparing the exhaust system back pressure on each side of the engine. Check the back pressure by removing the AIR check valves near the exhaust manifolds. Refer to Restricted Exhaust .
    • Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) on the reference circuit can cause an engine miss condition. A scan tool can usually detect EMI by monitoring the engine RPM. A sudden increase in RPM with little change in actual engine RPM change, indicates EMI is present. Check for high voltage components near Ignition Control circuits if a problem exists.
    • Check PNP switch circuit. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Diagnosis .
    • Check for faulty motor mounts. Refer to Engine Mount Inspection in Engine Mechanical for inspection of mounts.
    • Check the intake and the exhaust manifold passages for casting flash. Refer to Exhaust Manifold Cleaning and Inspection , and Intake Manifold Clean and Inspect in Engine Mechanical.
    • Check the brake system for dragging or improper operation. Refer to Hydraulic Brake Diagnostic System Check in Hydraulic Brakes.