For 1990-2009 cars

Refer to Engine Controls Schematic

#### Power, Ground, CMP, CKP 24X, CKP 7X, KS, and ICM

Engine Controls Components
Information Sensors/Switches Description
HO2S 1 and HO2S 2
Engine Data Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Power Distribution Schematics
Ground Distribution Schematics
.

### Circuit Description

The powertrain control module (PCM) has the ability to detect a misfire by monitoring the 3X reference from the ignition control (IC) module and camshaft position input signals from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor. The PCM monitors the crankshaft speed variations in order to determine if a misfire is occurring.

If 2 percent or more of all cylinder firing events are misfires, emissions levels may exceed the mandated standards. The PCM determines misfire level based on the number of misfire events monitored during a 200 engine revolution test sample. The PCM continuously tracks 16 consecutive 200-revolution test samples. If 22 or more misfires are detected during any 10 of the 16 samples, DTC P0300 will set. If the misfire is large enough to cause possible three-way catalytic converter damage, DTC P0300 may set during the first 200-revolution sample in which the misfire was detected. In the case of a catalyst-damaging misfire, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will flash in order to alert the vehicle operator of the potential of catalyst damage.

### Conditions for Running the DTC

• | There are no TP, MAP, ECT, CKP, CMP, MAF Sensor, or VSS DTCs set.

• | The engine speed is between 550-5900 RPM.

• | The system voltage is between 9.0-18.0 volts.

• | The ECT indicates an engine temperature between -7°C (+21°F) to 125°C (253°F).

• | The throttle angle is steady.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM is detecting a crankshaft RPM variation indicating a misfire sufficient to cause three-way catalytic converter damage or emissions levels to exceed the mandated standard.

### Action Taken When the DTC Sets

• | The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.

• | The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

### Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

• | The PCM will turn OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has run and passed.

• | The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.

• | The DTC can be cleared by using a scan tool.

### Diagnostic Aids

The scan tool provides information that can be useful in identifying the misfiring cylinder. If DTC P0300 is currently stored as Test Failed since code clear, the misfire history counters (Misfire Hist #1-#6) will still contain a value that represents the level of misfire for each cylinder.

A misfire DTC may set if components that affect the crankshaft position sensor have recently been replaced, and the CKP System Variation Learn Procedure has not been performed. Refer to Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn . If the diagnostic table does not identify a problem, then perform the CKP System Variation Learn Procedure. This procedure should be performed if any of the following conditions are true:

The scan tool displayed misfire counter values, Misfire Hist. #1-#6, can be useful in determining whether the misfire is isolated to a single cylinder or to a cylinder pair, cylinders that share an ignition coil-1/4, 2/5, or 3/6. If the largest amount of activity is isolated to a cylinder pair, inspect for the following conditions:

• | The PCM has been replaced.

• | DTC P1336 is set.

• | The engine has been replaced.

• | The crankshaft has been replaced.

• | The crankshaft harmonic balancer has been replaced.

• | The crankshaft position sensor has been replaced.

• | Secondary ignition wires--inspect the wires on the affected cylinder pair for disconnected ignition wires or for excessive resistance. The resistance should measure 1 968ohms per meter (600ohms per foot).

• | Damaged or faulty ignition coil--Inspect for cracks, carbon tracking or other damage. Also test the coil secondary resistance. Secondary resistance should be between 5000ohms-8000ohms (5Kohms and 8Kohms).

• | Substitute a known good coil--Swap the ignition coils and retest them. If the misfire follows the coil, replace the ignition coil.

If the misfire is random, check for the following conditions:

• | System grounds--Ensure that all connections are clean and properly tightened.

• | MAF--A mass air flow (MAF) sensor output that causes the PCM to sense a lower than normal air flow will cause a lean condition.

• | Air induction system--Air leaks into the induction system which bypass the MAF sensor will cause a lean condition. Check for:

- | Disconnected or damaged vacuum hoses

- | An incorrectly installed or faulty crankcase ventilation valve

- | Vacuum leaks at the throttle body, the EGR valve, and the intake manifold mounting surfaces

• | Fuel pressure--Perform a fuel system pressure test. A faulty fuel pump, a plugged filter, or a faulty fuel system pressure regulator will contribute to a lean condition.

• | Injectors--Perform injector coil/balance test in order to locate faulty injectors that are contributing to a lean or flooding condition. In addition to the above test, check the condition of the injector O-rings.

• | EGR--inspect for a leaking valve, adapter, or feed pipes which will contribute to a lean condition or to excessive EGR flow.

• | Water contamination in the fuel system can cause a single cylinder to misfire as well as cause a random misfire, refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis

Important : Remove any debris from the connector surfaces before servicing a component. Inspect the connector gaskets when diagnosing or replacing a component. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The gaskets prevent contaminate intrusion.

• | Faulty terminal connections

| Inspect the harness connectors for backed-out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and faulty terminal-to-wire connections. Use a corresponding mating terminal to test for proper tension. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

• | A damaged harness

| Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness inspection does not reveal a problem, observe the display on the scan tool while moving the connectors and the wiring harnesses that are related to the sensor. A change in the scan tool display may indicate the location of the fault. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

• | Inspect the PCM and the engine grounds for clean and secure connections.

If the DTC is determined to be intermittent, reviewing the Failure Records can be useful in determining when the DTC was last set.

### Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table:

1. A malfunctioning injector circuit, crankshaft position system variation not learned condition, or incorrect rough road data from the EBCM may cause a misfire DTC to be set. If any of the indicated DTCs are set with DTC P0300, diagnose and repair the other DTC before using the DTC P0300 table.

2. The Misfire Current Cyl # display may normally display a small amount of activity, 0 - 10 counts, but should not steadily increment during an entire 200-revolution test sample period.

3. Depending on the cause of the misfire, the Misfire History Cyl # counter will display a very large number for the misfiring cylinders. Values for the non-misfiring cylinders will be less than 1/2 as great as the misfiring cylinders. When investigating a misfire, always start with items associated with the cylinders that have the largest number of counts stored in the Misfire History Cyl # counter.

4. If the misfiring cylinders are companion cylinders, the condition is most likely linked to the ignition system.

5. Inspect for poor terminal connection, grooves, corrosion, pitting, or loose fit.

6. Inspect for the following conditions that may contribute to the engine misfire, the engine oil pressure, a damaged accessory drive belt or pulley, or a damaged driven accessory such as the generator, the water pump, or the drive belt tensioner, or loose or broken motor mounts.

Step | Action | Values | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
2 | Are any other DTCs set? | -- | Go to applicable DTC | Go to Step 3
3 |

1. Start and idle the engine.
2. Review and record the scan tool Freeze Frame data.
3. Operate the vehicle to duplicate the conditions that were present when the DTC was set, as defined by the Freeze Frame data.
4. Monitor the scan tool Misfire Current Cyl # display for each cylinder.

Is Misfire Current # display incrementing for any cylinder, indicating that a misfire is currently occurring?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4 | View the Misfire History Cyl # display on the scan tool. Does Misfire History Cyl # display a very large value for more than one cylinder? | -- | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 8
5 | Are the misfire values displayed on the Misfire History Cyl # related to the companion cylinders? | -- | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 6
6 | Perform a visual inspection as described in Symptoms of the following areas:

1. The vacuum hoses for improper connections and damage. Refer to Emission Hose Routing Diagram .
2. The spark plug wire connections at the coils and at the spark plugs
3. The engine and the PCM ground-- Ensure that the connections are in their proper locations and are clean and tight.
4. The EGR to intake manifold piping for proper connections and signs of damage.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 7

7 | Test the fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test . Is the fuel pressure within the specified values? | 358-405 kPa (52-59 psi) | Go to Step 8 | Go to Fuel System Pressure Test
8 | Test for proper fuel injector operation. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) or Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Outside 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 9

9 | Visually inspect the ignition wires and coils associated with the misfiring cylinders for the following conditions:

1. Carbon tracking/arching and damage
2. Connections to the incorrect cylinders at the coil and spark plug
3. Faulty terminal connections at the coil and spark plug

Important : If carbon tracking is apparent at either end of the spark plug wires, replace the affected ignition wire and the associated ignition coil.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 10

10 |

1. install J 26792 spark tester at the spark plug end of the ignition wire associated with the misfiring cylinders.
2. Jumper the spark plug end of the companion cylinder ignition wire to the engine ground. The companion cylinder is the cylinder that shares the same ignition coil .
3. Crank the engine while observing the J 26792 spark tester.

Is spark present?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 11

11 |

1. Measure the resistance of the ignition wires associated with the cylinders that were indicated as misfiring.
2. Replace the ignition wires if the resistance measures more than the specified value.

Did you find and correct the condition?

1 968ohms per meter (600 ohms per foot)

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 12

12 |

1. Measure the resistance of the secondary ignition coils associated with the misfiring cylinders.
2. If the resistance is not between the specified values, replace the malfunctioning ignition coils. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement .

Did you find and correct the condition?

5K-8Kohms (5,000-8,000ohms)

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 13

13 |

1. Remove the ignition coils associated with the misfiring cylinders.
2. Inspect the coils for signs of carbon tracking, cracks, or other damage.
3. If you find a problem, replace the affected coils. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 14

14 |

1. Leave the ignition coils disconnected.
2. Connect a test lamp across the ignition module primary circuit terminals.
3. Remove the fuel injector fuse.
4. Observe the test lamp while cranking the engine.

Important : Be sure to reinstall the fuel injector fuse.

Does the test lamp blink?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

15 |

1. Remove the spark plugs from the cylinders associated with the misfire. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
2. Visually inspect the spark plug electrodes for excessive fouling. Refer to Spark Plug Visual Diagnosis in Engine Electrical.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Base Engine Misfire Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical

Go to Step 16

16 | Visually inspect the spark plugs for the following conditions:

1. Carbon tracking, cracks, or other damage to the insulator
2. Electrode damage or incorrect gap.

Important : If carbon tracking is apparent on any of the spark plugs, replace the affected spark plugs and the associated ignition wires. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 17

17 |

1. Reinstall the spark plug. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
2. Inspect the engine for any mechanical problems. Refer to Base Engine Misfire Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 18

18 | If the condition occurs while driving, check for transaxle TCC problems. Refer to Torque Converter Diagnosis in Automatic Transaxle. Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 22 | Go to Step 19
19 | Inspect the fuel system for contaminants. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis . Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 22 | Go to Diagnostic Aids
20 | Replace the ignition coils associated with the misfiring cylinders. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement . Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 22 | --
21 | Replace the ignition control module. Refer to Ignition Control Module Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 22 | --
22 |

1. Review and record Freeze Frame data.
2. Clear the DTCs.
3. Start and idle the engine.
4. Operate the vehicle in order to duplicate the conditions that were present when the DTC was set, as defined by the Freeze Frame data.
5. Monitor the scan tool Misfire Current Cyl # display for each cylinder.

Is Misfire Current Cyl # display incrementing for any cylinder, indicating that a misfire is currently occurring?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK