GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Refer to

Ignition Controls


Object Number: 25320  Size: FS
Engine Controls Components
Electronic Ignition (EI) System
Fuel Controls
Power, Ground, MIL, and DLC
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
for wiring view.


Object Number: 27260  Size: MF
Engine Controls Components
Fuel Controls
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

System Description

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors both the crankshaft and the camshaft position in order to detect an engine misfire. A rapid decrease in the crankshaft speed indicates misfire. The PCM may require that several consecutive misfire conditions are detected before storing this DTC and before illuminating the MIL. Under light misfire conditions, the PCM may require more than one trip to set this DTC. Under a severe misfire, the PCM flashes the MIL. A flashing MIL indicates that there is a misfire that is capable of damaging the catalytic converter. The torque converter clutch (TCC) disables momentarily in order to determine if the misfire was due to a rough road condition, automatic transmission only.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • Misfire total is greater than 12 counts.
    • Engine speed is between 469 RPM (automatic trans.) or 750 RPM (manual trans.) and 3400 RPM
    • Battery voltage is between 9 volts and 17 volts.
    • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is between -7° C (20° F) and 123° C (254° F).
    • Engine has been running more than 15 seconds.
    • Throttle Position (TP) hasn't changed more than 8 % in 1 second.
    • DTC(s) P0106, P0107, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0171, P0172, P0325, P0335, P0341, P0342, P0401, P0502, P0503, P0601, P0742, P1133, and P1406 not set.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminates if the fault is active within the same conditions for two out of eighty ignition cycles and a misfire is present.
        OR
        The MIL illuminates after two consecutive ignition cycles during in which the diagnostic runs with the fault active
        OR
        The MIL illuminates immediately and flashes if a misfire is severe enough to cause any catalyst damage.
    • In vehicles with automatic transmission only, the torque converter clutch (TCC) is disablesd when a misfire is present.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions at the time that the diagnostic fails. This information will store in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers.
    • A history DTC is stored.
    • The coolant fan turns ON.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The MIL turns OFF after three consecutive ignition cycles during which the diagnostic runs without a fault present under the Freeze Frame conditions that existed when the DTC failed.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm up cycles without a fault.
    • Clear the MIL/DTCs with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

An intermittent can also be the result of a defective reluctor wheel. Remove crankshaft sensor and inspect reluctor wheel through sensor mount hole. Check for porosity and condition of the reluctor wheel.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.

  2. Whenever a DTC P0108 is present, verify that no misfire is present by viewing the misfire counters. DTC P0108 may set as a result of a misfire.

  3. A visual/physical inspection should include checking the following conditions:

  4. • The wiring for proper connections, pinches and cuts.
    • Clean and tight PCM grounds.
    • The vacuum hoses for splits, kinks and proper connections as shown on the Vehicle Emission Information label. Check thoroughly for any type of leak or restriction.
    • For air leaks at the throttle body mounting area and intake manifold sealing surfaces.
  1. This step determines if DTC P0304 is the result of a hard failure or an intermittent condition.

  2. When the misfire is not present, operate the vehicle to the conditions found in the Freeze Frame Data in order to detect misfire. Depending on the engine load, the conditions may have to be maintained for up to 20 seconds. Whenever the misfire accumulators start to increment, then misfire is present. A history misfire counter will store the number of misfires that have occurred until the DTC is cleared. The current counter must count a total of at least 195 misfires before writing to the history counter.

  3. No spark on one coil, may be caused by an open secondary circuit. Therefore, the coil's secondary resistance should be checked.

  4. Use injector test light J 34780-2 to test the harness wiring and for PCM control of the injectors.

  5. Perform the Injector Coil Test Procedure on the misfiring cylinder only.

  6. Determines if the injector driver circuit is shorted to ground or voltage or if the PCM is faulty.

  7. Before replacing the PCM, check terminals for improper mating, broken locks, or physical damage to the wiring harness. Replacement PCM's must be reprogrammed. Refer to the latest Techline information for programming procedures.

  8. Replace any spark plugs that are worn, cracked or fouled. Refer to Section 6A if any plugs are fouled or damaged due to an engine mechanical failure.

  9. Since voltage is supplied to the injector on a single circuit before the injector harness, the fault could only be a poor connection or open in the injector harness. An open before the harness would result in a Cranks But Won't Run complaint.

  10. A basic engine problem that affects only cylinder #4 is possible at this point (i.e. valve train, compression, etc.). Refer to Section 6A.

DTC P0304- Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Refer to Test Description for additional information.

Are any component DTCs set?

--

Go to DTC Table first

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Perform a visual/physical inspection.
  2. Make any necessary repairs.

Were any repairs necessary?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Engine idling.

Is the Misfire Current #4 counter incrementing?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

  1. With the engine OFF, disconnect the fuel injector harness electrical connector.
  2. Install spark tester J 26792 on the spark plug cable for cylinder #4.
  3. Remove spark plug cable from cylinder 4 of the ignition coil housing and install a jumper wire from the spark plug connector of the ignition coil housing to ground.
  4. Crank the engine with remaining spark plug cables still connected.

Does the spark tester spark?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

6

  1. With the ignition ON and the engine OFF, review the Freeze Frame data and note parameters.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Freeze Frame conditions and the conditions for setting the DTC as noted.

Is the Misfire Current #4 counter incrementing?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 7

7

Was a repair made from the visual/physical inspection?

--

Go to Step 30

Go to Diagnostic Aids

8

  1. Remove the spark plug from cylinder #4.
  2. Change the spark plug with a spark plug from a known good cylinder.
  3. Reconnect the injector harness connector.
  4. Run the vehicle when misfire was present.

Is the Misfire Current #4 counter incrementing?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 22

9

  1. Remove spark plug cable from #4 cylinder.
  2. Measure the resistance of the spark plug cable using a DVM.

Is the spark plug cable resistance less than the specified value?

30000 ohms

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 23

10

  1. Remove the ignition coil from the cylinder that did not fire.
  2. Measure the coil's secondary resistance.

Is the resistance within the specified range?

5-8 k ohms

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 24

11

  1. Replace the ignition coil with a known good one.
  2. Crank the engine and check for spark.

Did spark occur on the spark tester?

--

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 12

12

  1. Visually inspect the ICM 6 pin harness connector to see if the connections are clean and tight.
  2. Make any necessary repairs.

Were any repairs necessary?

--

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 25

13

  1. With the engine OFF, disconnect the 4 fuel injector connectors from the injectors.
  2. Install an injector test light on the injector harness connector for cylinder #4.
  3. Crank engine and note light.

Does the injector test light blink?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 15

14

Perform the Injector Coil Test Procedure , refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test .

Is cylinder #4 injector OK?

--

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 29

15

  1. Disconnect the fuel injector test light.
  2. With a test light connected to ground, probe cylinder #4 injector connector ignition feed terminal.
  3. Crank the engine.

Did the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 27

16

  1. With the ignition OFF, disconnect the PCM electrical connectors.
  2. With a test light connected to ground, probe cylinder #4 fuel injector connector driver circuit terminal.

Did the test light remain OFF?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 26

17

Connect the test light to B+ and again probe the fuel injector driver circuit terminal.

Did the test light remain OFF?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 19

18

Inspect the PCM connector and connections.

Are the connections OK?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

19

Repair the short to ground in cylinder #4 fuel injector driver circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

20

Replace the PCM.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

21

Repair the connector or connections.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

22

Replace the faulty spark plug.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

23

Replace the spark plug cable.

Is the action complete

--

Go to Step 30

--

24

Replace cylinders #1 and #4 ignition coil.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

25

Replace the ICM.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

26

Repair the short to voltage in cylinder #4 fuel injector driver circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

27

Repair the open ignition feed circuit between the fuel injector harness connector and the fuel injector connector.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

28

Check for a basic engine problem, refer to Section 6A.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

29

Replace the faulty fuel injector.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 30

--

30

  1. Using the scan tool, clear DTCs.
  2. Start the engine and idle at normal operating temperature.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for setting this DTC as supported in the text.

Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed?

--

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 2

31

Check if any additional DTCs are set.

Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to applicable DTC Table

System OK