GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0351: Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit

DTC P0352: Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit

DTC P0353: Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit

P0300, P0351

P0300, P0351

P0300, P0351

P0300, P0351

Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit

P0300, P0352

P0300, P0352

P0300, P0352

P0300, P0352

Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit

P0300, P0353

P0300, P0353

P0300, P0353

P0300, P0353

Circuit/System Description

There are 3 dual-tower ignition coils integrated with the ignition control module (ICM). The ICM contains coil driver circuits that operate the 3 coils. The ICM wiring includes the following circuits:

    • An ignition 1 voltage circuit
    • A ground circuit
    • An ignition coil 1 control circuit
    • An ignition coil 2 control circuit
    • An ignition coil 3 control circuit
    • A low reference circuit

The engine control module (ECM) controls each ignition coil by transmitting timing pulses to the ICM on each of the ignition coil control circuits to enable properly timed spark events. The ignition coil 1 controls spark for companion cylinders 1 and 4. The ignition coil 2 controls spark for companion cylinders 2 and 5. The ignition coil 3 controls spark for companion cylinders 3 and 6.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine is cranking or running.
    • The DTCs run continuously when the above condition is met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM detects a fault in an ignition coil control circuit for 90 out of 100 engine cycles.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTC P0351, P0352, and P0352 are Type B DTCs

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • DTC P0351, P0352, and P0352 are Type B DTCs
    • With a DTC set, the engine may crank for an extended period of time at start-up

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

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

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

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

Description and Operation

Electronic Ignition (EI) System Description

Circuit/System Verification

  1. With the engine running, observe the Cylinder 1 and 4 IC Circuit Status, Cylinder 2 and 5 IC Circuit Status, and the Cylinder 3 and 6 ignition control (IC) Circuit Status parameters with the scan tool. All of the parameters should display OK.
  2. If the parameters display anything other than OK, continue with Circuit/System Testing.
  3. With the engine running, observe the Misfire Current counters using the scan tool. The counters should not be incrementing.
  4. If the counters are incrementing for a pair of companion cylinders, continue with Circuit/System Testing.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. With the engine running, observe the Cylinder 1 and 4 IC Circuit Status, Cylinder 2 and 5 IC Circuit Status, and the Cylinder 3 and 6 IC Circuit Status parameters with the scan tool.
  2. If a parameter displays short Gnd/Open, test for an open/high resistance or a short to ground in the affected IC circuit.
    If a parameter displays short to B+, test for a short to voltage in the affected IC circuit.
  3. Connect jumper wires from the harness connector of the ICM to the corresponding terminals of the ICM.
  4. Using the jumper wires, exchange the affected IC control circuit with a known good IC control circuit. Also exchange the spark plug wires of the corresponding coils.
  5. Start the engine.
  6. Observe the Misfire Current counters with the scan tool.
  7. If the misfire transfers with the suspect IC control circuit, replace the ECM.
    If the misfire remains with the coil, replace the ICM.

Component Testing

    • With positive polarity to the low reference terminal, measure for 9,000-11,000 ohms at 20-23°C (68-74°F) room temperature between each of the ignition coil control terminals and the low reference terminal of the ICM.
       ⇒If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the ICM.
    • Measure for 7,000-15,000 ohms at 20-23°C (68-74°F) room temperature between each pair of coil towers on the ICM.
       ⇒If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the ICM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Control Module References for ECM setup, and programming
    •  Ignition Coil Replacement