GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cuts Out, Misses

Tests/Inspections

Action

DEFINITION: Steady pulsation or jerking that follows engine speed, usually more pronounced as engine load increases.

Preliminary

    •  Refer to Symptoms - Engine Controls .
    •  Search for service bulletins.

Fuel System

    • Test the fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Test for a contaminated fuel. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Check for a restricted fuel filter.
    • Inspect the items which can cause an engine to run rich (long term fuel trim significantly in the negative range). Refer to Diagnostic Aids for DTC P0172 .
    • Inspect the items that can cause an engine to run lean (long term fuel trim significantly in the positive range). Refer to Diagnostic Aids for DTC P0171 .
    • Inspect for fuel in the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose.

Sensor/System

    • Test the oxygen sensor (O2S 1). The O2S 1 should respond quickly to different throttle positions. If not, inspect the O2S 1 for silicon or other contaminants from fuel or the use of improper RTV sealant. The sensor may have a white powdery coating. Silicon contamination causes a high but false O2S 1 signal voltage (rich exhaust indication). The PCM will reduce the amount of fuel delivered to the engine, causing a severe driveability problem.
    • Test for correct operation of the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor.
    • Test for the correct operation of the throttle position (TP) sensor.
    • Test for the correct operation of the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.

Ignition System

    • Test for the correct ignition voltage output with the J 36012-A spark plug jumper wires and J 26792 spark tester or equivalent.
    • Inspect the spark plugs for the following conditions:
       - Any wet or fuel fouled plugs
       - Any racks
       - An incorrect gap
       - Any burnt electrodes or heavy deposits
    • If the spark plugs are fuel or oil fouled, the cause of the fouling must be determined before replacing the spark plugs.
    • Inspect the ignition control module (ICM) for a correct ground connection.
    • Inspect the ignition coils and the housing for cracks or carbon tracking.

Engine Mechanical

    • Inspect for the following conditions:
       - Any sticking or leaking valves
       - Any worn camshaft lobes
       - An incorrect valve timing
       - Any broken valve springs
       - Any excessive oil in a combustion chamber and leaking valve seals
       - The correct oil viscosity
       - Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical.
    • Check for low compression. Refer to Engine Compression Test in Engine Mechanical.
    • Any incorrect basic engine parts. Inspect the following:
       - The camshafts
       - The cylinder head
       - The pistons, etc.
    • Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical.

Additional

    • Inspect the exhaust system for the following conditions:
       - Any damaged or collapsed pipes
       - Any heat distress or internal failure of the muffler
       - A plugged 3-way catalytic converter. Refer to Restricted Exhaust in Engine Exhaust.
    •  An engine miss condition can be caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the reference circuit. EMI can usually be detected by monitoring the engine RPM with a scan tool. A sudden increase in RPM with little change in the actual engine RPM change indicates EMI is present. If a problem exists, inspect the routing of secondary ignition wires near high voltage components.
    • Inspect the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold passages for casting flash. Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical .
    • Inspect for malfunctioning engine mounts. Refer to Engine Mount Inspection in Engine Mechanical .
    • An intermittent may be caused by the following conditions:
       - Any faulty connections.
       - A rubbed through wire insulation.
       - A broken wire inside the insulation.
    • Inspect the circuitry that is suspected of causing an intermittent complaint for the following conditions:
       - Any backed out terminals.
       - Any incorrect mating of terminals.
       - Any incorrectly formed or damaged terminals.
       - Any faulty terminal-to-wiring connections.
       - Any physical damage to the wiring harness.
       - Any corrosion.