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
| • | The misfire total is greater than 12 counts. |
| • | The engine speed is between 469 RPM and 6400 RPM |
| • | The battery voltage is between 9 volts and 17 volts. |
| • | The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is between -7°C (20°F) and 123°C (254°F). |
| • | The engine has been running more than 15 seconds. |
| • | The Throttle Position (TP) hasn't changed more than 8% in 1 second. |
| • | DTCs P0106, P0107, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0171, P0172, P0325, P0335, P0341, P0342, P0404, P0405, P0502, P0503, P0506, P0507, P0601, P0740, P0742, P1133, P1404, and P1621 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 the crankshaft sensor and inspect the reluctor wheel through the sensor mount hole. Check for porosity and condition of the wheel. Refer to Engine Mechanical portion of the service manual.
Verify the electronic Ignition Control Module (ICM) 11 pin harness connector terminal K, ground circuit for less than 0.5 ohms resistance.
Important: A Crankshaft Position System Variation Learning Procedure must be performed at any time that a change is made to the crankshaft sensor to crankshaft relationship. Changing the crank sensor to crankshaft relationship will not allow the PCM to detect a misfire at all speeds and loads accurately, resulting in a possible false misfire DTC being set. Removing a part for inspection and then reinstalling the same part is considered a disturbance. A false DTC P0300 could be set if this procedure is not performed. Refer to Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn for the Crankshaft Position System Variation Procedure.
If DTC is intermittent, refer to Symptoms.
Test Description
The number(s) below refer(s) to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.
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The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts you to complete some of the basic checks and to store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data captured when the malfunction occurred. The scan tool stores this data on the scan tool for later reference.
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If a DTC P0200 is present, the condition causing the misfire is in the fuel injector circuitry. The DTC P0200 table will diagnose the fuel injectors and circuitry.
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A visual/physical inspection should include checking the following components:
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This step determines if DTC P0304 is the result of a hard malfunction or an intermittent condition.
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If a spark plug boot is burned, the other plug on that ignition coil may still fire at idle. This step tests the systems ability to produce at least 25,000 volts at the spark plug.
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If the misfire is not present, it may be necessary to duplicate the conditions in the Freeze Frame Data in order to detect a misfire. Depending on the engine load, the conditions may have to be maintained for up to 20 seconds. If the misfire accumulators start to increment, this is an indication that a 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.
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A spark is available at the misfiring cylinder. At this point, the misfire is being caused by the following condition(s):
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A basic engine problem or a fuel injector problem that affects only cylinder #1 is possible at this point (i.e. a valve train, a compression, etc.). Refer to the Base Engine Misfire Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical. Also refer to the DTC P0200 Injector Control Circuit .
If a spark plug saturated with fuel or the cylinder is full of fuel, this is a good sign that the fuel injector is stuck open.
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Check for a fuel injector or engine mechanical problem that may have caused the spark plug to malfunction.
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No spark on one coil may be caused by an open secondary circuit. Therefore, you will need to check the coils secondary resistance. Resistance readings above 20,000 ohms, but not infinite, will probably not cause a no start but can cause an engine miss under certain conditions.
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The test light will blink if the no spark condition is caused by the following items:
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You can easily check the ignition coil harness by performing the previous step with the ignition coil harness connected to the ICM. Check for a voltage and a ground signal to the ignition coils at the ignition coil electrical connector.
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Thoroughly check any suspected circuitry the following conditions:
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Reprogram the replacement PCM and perform the crankshaft position system variation learn procedure. Refer to the latest Techline information for PCM programming and CKP System Variation Learn Procedure.
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Conditions for setting the DTC P0420 need to be run in order to determine if the catalyst has been damaged from the misfire.
| • | The following in the electrical wiring: |
| - | Proper electrical connections |
| - | Pinches in the wires |
| - | Cuts in the wires |
| • | The PCM grounds for being clean and tight |
| • | Check the following components for air leaks: |
| - | Throttle body mounting |
| - | Intake manifold sealing surfaces |
| • | Check the EGR valve for the following conditions: |
| - | Air leaks in the EGR tubes |
| - | Stuck open |
| - | Loose bolts at mounting plate |
| - | Poor mounting gasket |
| • | Spark plug |
| • | Basic engine problem |
| • | Leaky fuel injector |
| • | Ignition coil electrical connections |
| • | Ignition coil harness |
| • | Ignition coil |
| • | Secondary boot assembly |
| • | Backed out terminals |
| • | Improper mating |
| • | Broken locks |
| • | Improperly formed or damaged terminals |
| • | Poor terminal to wiring connections |
| • | Physical damage to the wiring harness |
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | |||||||||||
Was a DTC P0200 set? | -- | |||||||||||
Were any repairs necessary? | -- | |||||||||||
Is the Misfire Current #1 counter incrementing? | -- | |||||||||||
Does the spark tester spark? | -- | |||||||||||
Is the Misfire Current #1 counter incrementing? | -- | |||||||||||
Is the Misfire Current #4 counter incrementing? | -- | |||||||||||
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||||||||||
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||||||||||
Is the resistance between the specified value? | 4-8Kohms | |||||||||||
Does the test light blink? | -- | |||||||||||
12 |
Is the resistance between the specified value? | 4-8Kohms | ||||||||||
Important: Carefully handle the ignition coils electrical connectors to avoid spark arching from the electrical terminals and causing the fuse to open which would leading to misdiagnosis. Does the test light illuminate for both circuits? | -- | |||||||||||
14 |
Were any repairs necessary? | -- | ||||||||||
15 | Check and replace the following item(s) as necessary:
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||||
16 | Replace cylinders #1 and #4 ignition coil. Refer to the Ignition Coil Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||||
17 |
Notice: Do not leave the test lamp connected to the PCM IC circuit connector for longer than 5 seconds at a time. Failure to do so may damage the ignition coil and/or the Ignition Control Module. Is there a spark present when you remove the test light from the IC input circuit? | -- | ||||||||||
18 |
Were any repairs necessary? | -- | ||||||||||
19 |
Was a repair necessary? | -- | ||||||||||
20 |
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||||
21 |
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||||
22 |
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||||
Were any repairs necessary? | -- | |||||||||||
Replace the PCM. Refer to the Powertrain Control Module Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||||||||||
Does the scan tool indicate that these diagnostics have ran and passed? | -- | |||||||||||
26 | Check to see if any additional DTCs are set. Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed? | -- | Go to applicable DTC table | System OK |
