GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2001 🢒 Cavalier 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 2.4L 🢒 DTC P0506

Circuit Description

The idle air control (IAC) valve is located in the throttle body. It consists of a movable pintle, driven by a gear that is attached to an electric motor called a stepper motor. The IAC valve motor is a two 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 that is 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 the IAC pintle position, but uses a predicted number of counts. One count represents one change in polarity, which equals one step of the stepper motor. The PCM counts the steps the PCM has commanded in order to determine the IAC pintle position. The PCM uses the IAC valve in order to control the engine idle speed. The IAC valve does this 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 at 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 (TP) 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. The PCM will then retract the pintle a predetermined number of counts in order to allow the proper amount of air to bypass the throttle plate for engine start-up. This procedure is known as an IAC Reset.

Conditions For Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0105, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0128, P0130, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0171, P0172, P0201-P0204, P0300, P0301-P0304, P0336, P0440, P0442, P0446, P0452, P0453, P0502, P0503, P1133, or P1441 are not set.
    • The ECT is more than 40°C (104°F).
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 72 kPa.
    • The engine run time is more than 20 seconds.
    • The ignition voltage is more than 11.3 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The actual engine speed is 100 RPM less than the desired engine speed for 19 seconds for a manual transmission.
    • The actual engine speed is 60 RPM less than the desired engine speed for 13 seconds for an automatic transmission.
    • IAC command greater than 145 counts.

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 air intake components--Check for the following conditions:
       - Collapsed air intake ducts
       - Clogged air intake ducts
       - Loose air intake ducts
       - A clogged air filter
       - Proper operation of the mass air flow sensor, if the vehicle is so equipped
    • A tampered with or damaged throttle stop screw
    • A tampered with or damaged throttle plate, throttle shaft, or throttle linkage
    • Objects that block the IAC passage or the throttle bore
    • Excessive deposits in the IAC passage or on the IAC pintle
    • Excessive deposits in the throttle bore or on the throttle plate
    • Vacuum leaks

A low or unstable idle condition could be caused by a non-IAC system problem that cannot be overcome by the IAC valve. Refer to Symptoms - Engine Controls . If you determine that the problem is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions in Symptoms.

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 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:  Ensure engine speed stabilizes with each commanded RPM change in order to determine if the engine speed stays the following commanded RPM:

    • 60 RPM for an automatic transmission
    • 100 RPM for a manual transmission
  1. Set the parking brake, and block the drive wheels.
  2. Install a scan tool.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Turn OFF all accessories.
  5. With the scan tool RPM control function slowly increment engine speed to 1,800 RPM, then to 600 RPM, then to 1,800 RPM.
  6. Exit the RPM control function.

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

    • 60 RPM for an automatic transmission
    • 100 RPM for a manual transmission

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3
  1. Observe the Freeze Frame and Failure Records data 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, as specified in the supporting text, or as close as possible to the Freeze Frame and Failure Records data that you observed.

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 harness connector.
  3. Connect a J 37027-A IAC motor driver to the IAC valve.
  4. Start the engine.
  5. With the IAC motor driver, command the IAC valve in until near 600 RPM is reached.
  6. With the IAC motor driver, command the IAC valve out until near 1,800 RPM is reached.
  7. Return the engine speed to the 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 11

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-A connector test adaptor kit .
  2. Start the engine.
  3. With the IAC motor driver, command low RPM while observing a scan tool until the IAC counts start to increment.
  4. With the IAC motor driver, 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 and never flashing while the IAC counts were incrementing at any of the IAC valve circuits during the above test?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 6

6

Did the test lamp remain OFF and 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 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. With the IAC motor driver, command low RPM while observing a scan tool until the IAC counts start to increment.
  3. With the IAC motor driver, 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 and never flashing while the IAC counts were incrementing during the above test?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 15

8

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 16

Go to Diagnostic Aids

9
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the PCM harness connectors.
  3. With a DMM, test for an open or 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 16

Go to Step 12

10
  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 16

Go to Step 12

11
  1. Inspect for the following conditions:
    2. • Throttle body damage and tampering
    • Throttle lever screw tampering, if the vehicle is so equipped
    • A restricted air intake system--Inspect for the following conditions:
       - A possible collapsed or clogged air intake duct in front of or behind the air filter element
       - A restricted air filter element
       - A restricted throttle body intake screen
  2. Remove the IAC valve. Refer to Idle Air Control Valve Replacement .
  3. Inspect for the following conditions:
    4. • A clogged IAC passage
    • Excessive deposits on the throttle plate
    • Excessive deposits in the throttle bore
    • Excessive 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 16

Go to Step 13

12

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 16

Go to Step 15

13

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 16

Go to Step 14

14

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

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 16

--

15

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 16

--

16
  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 17

Go to Step 2

17

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