GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2001 🢒 Firebird 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 5.7L 🢒 DTC P0506

Circuit Description

The idle air control (IAC) valve is located in the throttle body of both the sequential multi-port fuel injection (SFI) and the multi-port fuel injection (MFI) systems. The IAC valve consists of a movable pintle, driven by a gear attached to an electric motor, which is called a stepper motor. The IAC valve motor is a 2-phase bi-polar permanent magnet stepper motor that is capable of highly accurate rotation or movement, every time the polarity of a winding is changed. You can see this change in polarity when you observe a test lamp connected between ground or B+ and an IAC valve circuit while the powertrain control module (PCM) is attempting to change engine RPM. The test lamp will flash ON or OFF each time the polarity is changed.

The PCM does not use a physical sensor in order to determine IAC pintle position. The PCM uses a predicted number of counts. One count represents 1 change in polarity, which equals 1 step of the stepper motor. The PCM counts the steps that have been commanded in order to determine IAC pintle position. The PCM uses the IAC valve to control engine idle speed by changing the pintle position in the idle air passage of the throttle body. This varies the air flow around the throttle plate when the throttle is closed.

In order to determine the desired position of the IAC pintle during idle or during deceleration, the PCM refers to the following inputs:

    • The engine RPM
    • The battery voltage
    • The air temperature
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT)
    • The throttle position sensor angle
    • The engine load
    • The vehicle speed

When the ignition key is turned OFF after an ignition cycle, the PCM will first seat the IAC pintle in the air bypass bore. Next, the PCM will retract the pintle a predetermined amount of counts. This retraction allows the proper amount of air to bypass the throttle plate in order for the engine to start. This procedure is known as an IAC Reset.

Conditions For Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0101-P0103, P0106-P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121-P0123, P0125, P0128, P0171, P0172, P0174, P0175, P0200, P0300, P0440, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P1111, P1112, P1114, P1115, P1121, P1122, P1380, P1381, and P1441 are not set.
    • The engine run time is more than 60 seconds.
    • The ECT is more than 60°C (140°F).
    • The IAT is more than -10°C (+14°F).
    • The throttle position (TP) sensor is less than 0.7 percent.
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 65 kPa.
    • The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is less than 1.6 km/h (1 mph).
    • The ignition voltage between 9-18 volts.
    • The above conditions are present for 2 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The actual engine speed is 100 RPM less than the desired engine speed.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Inspect for the following conditions:

    • A restricted air intake system
    • Proper operation and installation of all of the air intake components. Inspect for the following conditions:
       - Collapsed, clogged, or loose air intake ducts
       - Clogged air filter
       - Proper operation of the mass airflow (MAF) sensor, if the vehicle has this equipment
    • A throttle stop screw that is damaged or that shows evidence of tampering
    • A throttle plate, throttle shaft, or throttle linkage that are damaged or that show evidence of tampering
    • Objects blocking the IAC passage or the throttle bore
    • Excess deposits in the IAC passage or on the IAC pintle
    • Excess deposits in the throttle bore or on the throttle plate
    • Vacuum leaks
    • A low or unstable idle condition that could be caused by a non-IAC system problem and that cannot be overcome by the IAC valve--Refer to Symptoms - Engine Controls .

If the conditions are intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions .

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This test will determine the ability of the engine controller and the IAC valve circuits to control the IAC valve.

    2.

  2. This test will determine the ability of the PCM to provide the IAC circuits with a ground. On a normally-operating system, the test lamp should not flash while the IAC counts are incrementing.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

    Important: Verify that the engine speed stabilizes with each commanded RPM change in order to determine if engine speed stays within 100 RPM of the commanded RPM.

  1. Set the parking brake, and block the drive wheels.
  2. Install a scan tool.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Turn OFF all of the accessories.
  5. Use the scan tool RPM control function in order to slowly increment engine speed to the following RPMs:
    6. • 1,800 RPM
    • 600 RPM
    • 1,800 RPM
  6. Exit the RPM control function.

Does the engine speed stabilize within 100 RPM of the commanded RPM during the above test?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3
  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC, or within the conditions of the Freeze Frame and Failure Records.

Does the DTC fail this ignition?

Go to Step 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the IAC valve
  3. Connect an IAC motor driverJ 37088-A to the IAC valve.
  4. Start the engine.
  5. Use the IAC motor driver in order to command IN the IAC valve until nearly 600 RPM is reached.
  6. Use the IAC motor driver in order to command OUT the IAC valve until nearly 1,800 RPM is reached.
  7. Return engine speed to desired idle, as indicated on the scan tool data list.

Did the engine speed steadily decrease to near 600 RPM and steadily increase to near 1,800 RPM when the IAC valve was commanded in and out?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 10

5

  1. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe one of the IAC valve circuits at the IAC valve harness connector using the J 35616 Connector Test Adapter Kit .
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Use the IAC motor driver in order to command low RPM while observing a scan tool until the IAC counts start to increment.
  4. Use the IAC motor driver in order to command high RPM while observing a scan tool until the IAC counts start to increment.
  5. While the IAC counts are incrementing, observe the test lamp.
  6. Return engine idle speed to desired idle as indicated on the scan tool data list.
  7. Repeat the above procedure for the other three IAC valve circuits.

Did the test lamp remain ON, never flashing, while the IAC counts were incrementing at any of the IAC valve circuits during the above test?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

Did the test lamp remain OFF, never flashing, while the IAC counts were incrementing at any of the IAC valve circuits during the above test?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Connect a test lamp between the IAC coil A low circuit and the IAC coil A high circuit at the IAC valve harness connector using the J 35616 .
  2. Use the IAC motor driver in order to command low RPM while observing a scan tool until the IAC counts start to increment.
  3. Use the IAC motor driver in order to command high RPM while observing a scan tool until the IAC counts start to increment.
  4. While the IAC counts are incrementing, observe the test lamp.
  5. Return engine idle speed to desired idle as indicated on the scan tool data list.
  6. Repeat the above procedure with the test lamp connected between the IAC coil B low circuit and the IAC coil B high circuit at the IAC valve harness connector.
  7. Return engine speed to the desired idle as indicated on the scan tool data list.

Did the test lamp stay illuminated, never flashing, while the IAC counts were incrementing during the above test?

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 14

8
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the PCM harness connectors.
  3. With a DMM, test for an open or for a short to ground on the IAC valve circuit where the test lamp remained OFF. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 11

9
  1. Turn ON the ignition.
  2. With a DMM, test for a short to voltage on the IAC valve circuit where the test lamp remained illuminated. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 11

10
  1. Inspect for the following conditions:
    2. • Evidence of throttle body damage and tampering
    • Evidence of throttle lever screw tampering, if the vehicle has this equipment
    • A restricted air intake system--Inspect the following components:
       - The air intake duct for a possible collapsed or clogged duct
       - Before and after the air filter element for restrictions
       - The throttle body intake screen, if equipped, for restrictions
  2. Remove the IAC valve. Refer to Idle Air Control Valve Replacement .
  3. Inspect for the following conditions:
    4. • A clogged IAC passage
    • Excess deposits on the throttle plate
    • Excess deposits in the throttle bore
    • Excess deposits on IAC valve pintle
  4. Repair any of the above conditions as necessary. Refer to the appropriate repair procedure.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 12

11

Inspect for a poor connection at the PCM harness connectors. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 14

12

Inspect for a poor connection at the IAC valve harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 13

13

Replace the IAC valve. Refer to Idle Air Control Valve Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 15

--

14

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 15

--

15
  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC run and pass?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 2

16

With a scan tool, observe the stored information, Capture Info.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK