GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2007 🢒 SKY 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0300-P0304

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0300: Engine Misfire Detected

DTC P0301: Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected

DTC P0302: Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected

DTC P0303: Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected

DTC P0304: Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) uses information from the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor in order to determine when an engine misfire is occurring and uses information from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor in order to determine which cylinder is misfiring. By monitoring variations in the crankshaft rotation speed for each cylinder, the ECM is able to detect individual misfire events. If the ECM detects a misfire rate sufficient to cause emission levels to exceed mandated standards, DTC P0300 sets. Under certain driving conditions, a misfire rate can be high enough to cause the 3-way catalytic converter (TWC) to overheat, possibly damaging the converter. The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will flash ON and OFF when converter overheating, damaging conditions are present and DTC P0300 is set. DTCs P0301-P0304 correspond to cylinders 1-4. If the ECM is able to determine that a specific cylinder is misfiring, the DTC for that cylinder will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0121, P0122, P0123, P0221, P0222, P0335, or P0336 are not set.
    • The engine speed is between 400-6,150 RPM.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is greater than -30°C (-22°F).
    • The fuel level is more than 12 percent.
    • The ECM is not in fuel shut-off or decel fuel cut-off mode.
    • DTCs P0300, and P0301-P0304 run continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM is detecting a crankshaft rotation speed variation indicating a misfire sufficient to cause emission or catalytic converter damaging levels to exceed mandated standards.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0300-P0304 are type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0300-P0304 are type B DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids
    • A misfire may only occur when the engine is under a load or when the engine is cold.
    • A misfire DTC could be caused by an excessive vibration from sources other than the engine. Inspect for the following possible sources:
       - A tire or wheel that is out of round or out of balance
       - Variable thickness brake rotors
       - An unbalanced drive shaft
       - Certain rough road conditions
       - A damaged accessory drive component or belt
       - A damaged reluctor wheel

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Engine Controls Schematics
    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views

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

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Special Tools Required

J 26792 (SA91992) HEI Spark Tester

Circuit/System Verification
  1. Verify that no other DTCs are set.
    2. ⇒If a DTC is set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle .
  2. Engine idling, verify there is no abnormal engine noise.
    3. ⇒If there is abnormal engine noise, refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical .
  3. Observe the Misfire Current Counters with a scan tool. The Misfire Current Counters should not be incrementing. Random misfires that are not steadily incrementing may be normal.
  4. If the vehicle passes the Circuit/System Verification test, operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that are captured in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records List.

Circuit/System Testing
  1. Verify that the following conditions do not exist:
    2. • Engine vacuum leaks
    • Fuel pressure that is too low or too high--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Contaminated fuel--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    •  Restricted exhaust system--Refer to Restricted Exhaust .
         ⇒If you find any of the above conditions, repair as necessary.
  2. Ignition OFF, remove the ignition coil from the misfiring cylinder, leaving the electrical connector connected.
  3. Install the J 26792 (SA91992) to the boot of an ignition coil and ground.

    4. Important: An erratic or weak spark is considered a no spark condition.

  4. Attempt to start the engine and observe the J 26792 (SA91992) . The spark tester should spark.
    5. ⇒If there is no spark, refer to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis for diagnosis of the ignition coil.
  5. Ignition OFF, remove the spark plug from the misfiring cylinder. Verify that the following conditions do not exist with the spark plug:
    6. • Gas, coolant, or oil fouled
    • Cracked, worn, incorrectly gapped--Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .
    ⇒If there is a condition with the spark plug, replace the spark plug.
  6. Exchange the suspected spark plug with another cylinder that is operating correctly.
  7. Operate the engine under the conditions in which the misfire occurred. Observe the Misfire Current Counters with a scan tool. The misfire should not follow the spark plug exchange.
    8. ⇒If the misfire follows the spark plug, replace the spark plug.
  8. If all conditions test normal, test or inspect for the following:
    9. • A lean or rich fuel injector--Refer to DTC P0201-P0204, P0261, P0262, P0264, P0265, P0267, P0268, P0270, P0271, or P2146-P2157 .
    • An engine mechanical condition--Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical .

Repair Instructions
    •  Ignition Coil Replacement
    •  Spark Plug Replacement

Repair Verification
  1. Install any components or connectors that have been removed or replaced during diagnosis.
  2. Perform any adjustment, programming or setup procedures that are required when a component or module is removed or replaced.
  3. Clear the DTCs.
  4. Turn OFF the ignition for 60 seconds.
  5. If the repair was related to a DTC, duplicate the Conditions for Running the DTC and use the Freeze Frame/Failure Records, if applicable, in order to verify the DTC does not reset. If the DTC resets or another DTC is present, refer to the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle and perform the appropriate diagnostic procedure.
  6. To verify that the performance of the catalytic converter has not been affected by the condition that set this DTC, perform the Repair Verification for DTC P0420. Refer to DTC P0420 .