GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 891182  Size: MF

Circuit Description

Each ignition coil supplies secondary voltage to a pair of spark plugs. This is called a waste spark ignition system. The engine control module (ECM) supplies a signal on each of the ignition control (IC) timing control circuits to the ignition control module (ICM). The ICM fires the correct ignition coil at the correct time based on the signals. The ICM detects if cylinder 1 or cylinder 3 is on the compression stroke by sensing the secondary voltage and polarity of each side of the ignition coil. The higher voltage is on the compressing cylinder. This is called compression sense ignition. The ICM provides a synthesized cam signal to the ECM based on these inputs. The ECM uses the cam signal to synchronize fuel injection. This system consists of the following circuits:

    • The ignition 1 voltage circuit
    • The ground circuit
    • The camshaft position (CMP) sensor signal circuit
    • The IC timing control for cylinders #1 and #4
    • The IC timing control B circuit for cylinders #2 and #3

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Controls Connector End Views or Engine Control Module Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Crank the engine.
  2. Observe the CMP Resync Counter parameter with a scan tool.

Does the CMP Resync counter increment?

--

Go to Step  3

Go to Crankshaft Position Sensor System Diagnosis

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the fuel pump relay with the J 43244 Relay Puller Pliers.
  3. Remove the ignition coil housing. Refer to Ignition Coil Housing Replacement .
  4. Install the J 36012-A Ignition System Diagnostic Harness.
  5. Install a J 26792 Spark Tester on #1 spark plug jumper wire.
  6. Connect the #4 jumper wire to a good ground.
  7. Connect the other jumper wire from the 2-3 ignition coil to the respective cylinders.
  8. Observe the spark tester.
  9. Crank the engine.
  10. Repeat the procedure for the remaining cylinders.

Does the spark tester spark on all cylinders?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

Is the no spark condition only present on one cylinder?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 5

5

Is the no spark condition only present on companion cylinders 1-4 or 2-3?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 8

6

Does the spark tester indicate a bright blue spark on all cylinders?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 14

7

  1. Remove the spark plugs.
  2. Examine the spark plugs for any abnormal conditions or damage. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .

Are the spark plugs in good condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step 20

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connector of the ignition control module (ICM).
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp from the ignition voltage circuit of the ICM to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 16

9

Connect a test lamp from the ignition voltage circuit to the ground circuit of the ICM.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 17

10

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the fuse that supplies ignition voltage to the ICM.
  3. Measure the resistance of the ignition voltage circuit of the ICM from the harness connector of the ICM to the fuse.

Is the resistance less than the specified value?

3 ohms

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 18

11

Measure the resistance of the ground circuit of the ICM from the harness connector of the ICM to a good ground.

Is the resistance less than the specified value?

3 ohms

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 19

12

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the ICM from the ignition coil housing. Refer to Ignition Control Module Replacement .
  3. Connect the harness connector of the ICM.
  4. Confirm that the interconnect is connected to the ICM.
  5. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  6. Important: If using a different test lamp, the bulb resistance needs to be 4 ohms or less.

  7. Connect a J 34730-405 Injector Test Lamp from the ignition voltage circuit at the ICM interconnect to a good ground. For the circuit identification in the ICM interconnect, refer to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Description .

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 15

13

  1. Connect a J 34730-405 between the ignition voltage circuit and the control circuit for the inoperative ignition coil.
  2. Crank the engine.

Does the test lamp flash?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 15

14

Test for shorted terminals or a poor connection at the ignition coil housing. 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 23

Go to Step 21

15

Test for shorted terminals or a poor connection at the ICM. 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 23

Go to Step 23

16

Repair an open or short to ground in the ignition voltage circuit of the ICM. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 23

--

17

Repair an open in the ground circuit of the ICM. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 23

--

18

Repair the high resistance in the ignition voltage circuit of the ICM. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 23

--

19

Repair the high resistance in the ground circuit of the ICM. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 23

--

20

Replace the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

21

Replace the ignition coil housing. Refer to Ignition Coil Housing Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

22

Replace the ICM. Refer to Ignition Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

23

  1. Turn the ignition OFF for 30 seconds.
  2. Start the engine and operate the vehicle.
  3. Observe the vehicle performance and driveability.

Does the vehicle operate normally?

--

System OK

Go to Step 3