For 1990-2009 cars

### Important Preliminary Checks Before Starting

Before using this section, perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check and verify all of the following conditions:

• | The ECM and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) are operating correctly.

• | There are no DTCs stored.

• | The scan tool data is within the normal operating range. Refer to Engine Scan Tool Data List .

• | Verify the customer complaint. Then, locate the correct symptom in the table of contents. Perform the procedure which is included in the symptom table.

### Visual/Physical Check

Several of the symptom procedures call for a careful visual/physical inspection. This inspection can lead to correcting a problem without further checks and can save valuable time. This check should include the following items:

• | The ECM grounds for being clean, tight, and in the proper location.

• | The vacuum hoses for any splits or any kinks, and proper connections, as shown on the Vehicle Emission Control Information label. Check thoroughly for any type of leak or restriction.

• | The air intake ducts for collapsed or damaged areas

• | Air leaks at the throttle body mounting area, the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, the duct work between the MAF and the throttle body, and the intake manifold sealing surfaces.

• | The ignition wires for any cracking, any hardness, or any proper routing and carbon tracking.

• | Wiring for proper connections, pinches and cuts.

### Intermittents

Important: A problem may or may not turn on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or store a DTC. Do Not use the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) charts for any intermittent problems. The fault must be present in order to locate the problem.

Most intermittent problems are caused by poor electrical connections or wiring. Perform a careful visual/physical check for the following conditions:

• | Poor mating of the connector halves or a terminal not fully seated in the connector (backed out).

• | An improperly formed or damaged terminal.

• | All connector terminals in the problem circuit should be carefully checked for proper contact tension. Refer to Engine Electrical, Troubleshooting Procedures, Checking Terminal Contact in ECM Diagnostics for the proper procedure.

• | A poor terminal to wire connection. This requires removing the terminal from the connector body in order to check. Also, check for the terminal being crimped over the insulation.

Road test the vehicle with a DVM (J 39200 ) connected to a suspected circuit. An abnormal voltage when a malfunction occurs is a good indication that there is a fault in the circuit being monitored.

Use a scan tool in order to help detect intermittent conditions. The Tech 1 & Tech 2 hasve several features that can be used in order to locate an intermittent condition. Use the following features in order to find the intermittent faults:

• | The Snapshot feature can be triggered to capture and store the engine parameters within the scan tool when the malfunction occurs. You can review this stored information in order to determine what caused the malfunction, or what conditions were present when the problem occurred.

• | Reviewing the Freeze Frame data can also aid in locating an intermittent condition. Review and record the information in the freeze frame that is associated with the intermittent DTC being diagnosed. The vehicle can be driven within the conditions that were present when the DTC originally set.

An intermittent MIL with no stored DTC may be caused by the following:

• | The MIL control circuit to the ECM shorted to ground.

• | Poor ECM grounds. Refer to the ECM wiring diagrams.

If the intermittent condition exists as a start and then a stall, check for DTC(s) relating to the vehicle theft deterrent system.

Check for improper installation of electrical options such as lights, cellular phones etc.

Check for open diode across the A/C compressor clutch. Then, check for other open diodes. Refer to wiring diagrams in Electrical Diagnosis.