For 1990-2009 cars

All of the sensors and input switches can be diagnosed using a scan tool. Following is a short description of how the sensors and switches can be diagnosed by using a scan tool. The scan tool can also be used to compare the values for a normal running engine with the engine you are diagnosing.

### Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor

The engine coolant temperature sensor is a thermistor (a resistor which changes value based on temperature) mounted in the engine coolant stream.

Low coolant temperature produces a high resistance (100,000 ohns at -40°C/-40°F) while high temperature causes low resistance (70 ohms at 130°C/266°F).

The PCM supplies a 5 volt signal to the engine coolant temperature sensor through a resistor in the PCM and measures the voltage. The voltage is high when the engine is cold, and low when the engine is hot. By measuring the voltage, the PCM calculates the engine coolant temperature. The engine coolant temperature affects most systems the PCM controls.

The scan tool displays engine coolant temperature in degrees. After engine startup, the temperature should rise steadily to about 90°C (194°F) then stabilize when thermostat opens. If the engine has not been run for several hours (overnight), the engine coolant temperature and intake air temperature displays should be close to each other. A hard fault in the engine coolant sensor circuit should set DTC P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage , or DTC P0118 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage . The DTC Diagnostic Aids also contains a chart to check for sensor resistance values relative to temperature.

The ECT sensor (3) also contains another circuit which is used to operate the engine coolant temperature gauge located in the instrument panel.

### Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor

The mass air flow (MAF) sensor measures the amount of air which passes through the sensor. The PCM uses this information to determine the operating condition of the engine and to control fuel delivery.

A large quantity of air indicates acceleration, while a small quantity indicates deceleration or idle.

The scan tool reads the MAF value and displays it in grams per second (gm/s). The MAF value should read between 4 gm/s at idle to 6 gm/s on a fully warmed up engine. The values should change rather quickly on acceleration, but the values should remain fairly stable at any given RPM. A failure in the MAF sensor or circuit should set DTC P0101 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Performance , DTC P0102 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit Low Frequency , or DTC P0103 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit High Frequency .

### Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor

The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor is a thermistor which changes value based on the temperature of air entering the engine. Low temperature produces a high resistance (100,000 ohms at -40°C/-40°F), while high temperature causes low resistance (70 ohms at 130°C/266°F).

The PCM supplies a 5 volt signal to the sensor through a resistor in the PCM and measures the voltage. The voltage is high when the incoming air is cold, and low when the air is hot. By measuring the voltage, the PCM calculates the incoming air temperature. The IAT sensor signal is used to adjust the spark timing according to incoming air density.

The scan tool displays the temperature of the air entering the engine, which should read close to the ambient air temperature when the engine is cold, and rise as the underhood temperature increases.

If the engine has not been run for several hours (overnight) the IAT sensor temperature and the engine coolant temperature should read close to each other. A failure in the IAT sensor circuit should set DTC P0112 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage or DTC P0113 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage .

### Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor

The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor responds to changes in intake manifold pressure (vacuum). The MAP sensor signal voltage to the PCM varies from below 2 volts at idle (high vacuum) to above 4 volts with the key ON and the engine not running or at wide open throttle (low vacuum).

The MAP sensor is used to determine manifold pressure changes while the linear EGR flow test diagnostic is being run (Refer to DTC P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Flow Insufficient ), to determine engine vacuum level for other diagnostics, and to determine barometric pressure (BARO).

If the PCM detects a voltage that is lower than the possible range of the MAP sensor, DTC P0107 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage is set. A signal voltage higher than the possible range of the sensor sets DTC P0108 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit High Voltage . An intermittent low or high voltage sets DTC P1107 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent Low Voltage or DTC P1106 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage respectively. The PCM can also detect a shifted MAP sensor. The PCM compares the MAP sensor signal to a calculated MAP based on throttle position and various engine load factors

### Fuel Control Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S 1)

The fuel control heated oxygen sensor (HO2S 1) is mounted in the exhaust manifold where the sensor can monitor the oxygen content of the exhaust gas stream. The oxygen present in the exhaust gas reacts with the sensor to produce a voltage output. This voltage should constantly fluctuate from approximately 100 mV (high oxygen content lean mixture) to 900 mV (low oxygen content rich mixture). The heated oxygen sensor voltage can be monitored with a scan tool. By monitoring the voltage output of the oxygen sensor, the PCM calculates what fuel mixture command to give to the injectors (lean mixture/low HO2S voltage = rich command, rich mixture/high HO2S voltage = lean command).

The HO2S 1 circuit, if open, should set a DTC P0134 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Sensor 1 and the scan tool should display a constant voltage between 400 and 500 mV. A constant voltage below 300 mV in the sensor circuit (circuit grounded) should set DTC P0131 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Sensor 1 , while a constant voltage above 800 mV in the circuit should set DTC P0132 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Sensor 1 . A fault in the HO2S 1 heater circuit should cause DTC P0135 to set. The PCM can also detect HO2S response problems. If the response time of an HO2S is determined to be too slow, the PCM stores a DTC that indicates degraded HO2S performance.

### Catalyst Monitor Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S 2)

To control emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), a 3-way catalytic converter is used. The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas, converting the HC and CO into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting the NOx to nitrogen. The PCM has the ability to monitor this process using the HO2S 1 and the HO2S 2 heated oxygen sensors. The HO2S 1 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gas entering the 3-way catalytic converter. The HO2S 2 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst. This in turn indicates the catalyst's ability to convert exhaust gases efficiently. If the catalyst is operating efficiently, the HO2S 1 signal is far more active than that produced by the HO2S 2 sensor.

The catalyst monitor sensors operate the same as the fuel control sensors. Although the HO2S 2 sensor's main function is catalyst monitoring, the sensor also plays a limited role in fuel control. If the sensor output indicates a voltage either above or below the 450 millivolt bias voltage for an extended period of time, the PCM makes a slight adjustment to fuel trim to ensure that fuel delivery is correct for catalyst monitoring.

A problem with the HO2S 2 signal circuit should set DTC P0137 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Sensor 2 , DTC P0138 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Sensor 2 , or DTC P0140 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Sensor 2 , depending on the specific condition. A fault in the heated oxygen sensor heater element or its ignition feed or ground results in slower oxygen sensor response. This may cause erroneous catalyst monitor diagnostic results. A fault in the HO2S 2 heater circuit should cause DTC P0141 HO2S Heater Performance Sensor 2 to set.

### Throttle Position (TP) Sensor

The throttle position (TP) sensor is a potentiometer connected to the throttle shaft on the throttle body. By monitoring the voltage on the signal line, the PCM calculates throttle position. As the throttle valve angle is changed (accelerator pedal moved), the TP sensor signal also changes. At a closed throttle position, the output of the TP sensor is low. As the throttle valve opens, the output increases so that at wide open throttle (WOT), the output voltage should be above 4 volts.

The PCM calculates fuel delivery based on the throttle valve angle (driver demand). A broken or loose TP sensor may cause intermittent bursts of fuel from an injector and an unstable idle because the PCM detects that the throttle is moving. A hard failure in the TP sensor 5 volt reference or signal circuits should set either a DTC P0122 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage DTC P0123 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit High Voltage . A hard failure with the TP sensor ground circuit may set DTCs DTC P0107 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage , DTC P0112 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage , DTC P0123 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit High Voltage , or DTC P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage . Once a DTC is set, the PCM uses an artificial default value based on engine RPM, engine load and mass air flow for throttle position and some vehicle performance returns. A high idle may result when either DTC P0122 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage , or DTC P0123 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit High Voltage is set.

The PCM can detect intermittent TP sensor faults. DTC P1121 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage , or DTC P1122 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent Low Voltage will set if an intermittent high or low circuit failure is being detected.

The PCM can also detect a shifted TP sensor. The PCM monitors throttle position and compares the actual TP sensor reading to a predicted TP value calculated from engine speed. If the PCM detects an out of range condition, DTC P0121 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Performance will be set.

### EGR Pintle Position Sensor

The EGR pintle position sensor is an integral part of the EGR valve assembly. This sensor can not be serviced separately from the EGR valve assembly.

The PCM monitors the EGR valve pintle position input to ensure that the valve responds properly to commands from the PCM and to detect a fault if the pintle position sensor and control circuits are open or shorted.

If the PCM detects a pintle position signal voltage outside the normal range of the pintle position sensor, or a signal voltage that is not within a tolerance considered acceptable for proper EGR system operation, the PCM sets DTC P1404 EGR Valve Stuck Open .

### Knock Sensor (KS)

The knock sensor detects abnormal vibration (spark knocking) in the engine. The sensor is located on the engine block near the cylinders. The sensor produces an AC output voltage which increases with the severity of the knock. This signal voltage is input to the PCM. The PCM then adjusts the ignition control (IC) timing to reduce spark knock. DTC P0325 Knock Sensor (KS) Circuit DTC P0327 Knock Sensor (KS) Circuit are designed to diagnose the PCM, the knock sensor, and related wiring, so problems encountered with the KS system should set a DTC.

Refer to Knock Sensor (KS) System Description description of the knock sensor system.

### PCM Controlled A/C

This vehicle may be equipped with Front (C60) and Rear (C34) A/C system. This system is designed to provide a comfortable environment inside the passenger compartment. The Rear (C34) A/C system is controlled by the Front(C60) HVAC Control Assembly. Both electronic and vacuum circuits determine air intake and discharge locations. PCM Controlled A/C operation is the same for either Front(C60) or the Front and Rear (C34) HVAC system. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Controlled Air Conditioning Description for more information regarding the PCM Controlled Air Conditioning system.

### Transaxle Controls

The electrical components of this unit are as follows:

• | Two shift solenoid valves: 1-2/3-4 and 2-3

• | A torque converter clutch pulse width modulation (TCC PWM) solenoid valve

• | A pressure control (PC) solenoid valve

• | An automatic transmission fluid temperature (TFT) sensor

• | Two speed sensors: input shaft and vehicle speed sensors

• | An automatic transmission fluid pressure (TFP) manual valve position switch

• | Either an Internal Mode Switch or an exterior-mounted Transmission Range Switch. See the data referenced by the Scan Tool or refer to Automatic Transmission Electronic Component Views .

• | An automatic transmission (A/T) wiring harness assembly

For more information, refer to Electronic Component Description .

### 7X Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor

The 7X crankshaft position sensor provides a signal used by the ignition control module.

The ignition control module also uses the 7X crankshaft position sensor to generate 3X reference pulses which the PCM uses to calculate RPM and crankshaft position.

### 24X Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor

The 24X Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor (1) is used to improve idle spark control at engine speeds up to approximately 1600 RPM.

### 3X Reference

The PCM uses this signal, from the ignition control module to calculate engine speed and crankshaft position over 1600 RPM.

The PCM also uses the pulses on this circuit to initiate injector pulses. If the PCM receives no pulses on this circuit, DTC P1374 Crankshaft Position (CKP) High to Low Resolution Frequency Correlation will set and the PCM will use the 24X reference signal circuit for fuel and ignition control.

This is a ground circuit for the digital RPM counter inside the PCM, but the wire is connected to engine ground only through the ignition control module. Although this circuit is electrically connected to the PCM, it is not connected to ground at the PCM.

The PCM compares voltage pulses on the reference input circuits to pulses on this circuit, ignoring pulses that appear on both.

### Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor and CAM Signal

The camshaft position sensor sends a cam signal to the PCM which uses it as a sync pulse to trigger the injectors in proper sequence. The PCM uses the CAM signal to indicate the position of the #1 piston during its intake stroke. This allows the PCM to calculate true Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) mode of operation. If the PCM detects an incorrect CAM signal while the engine is running, DTC P0341 Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Performance will set.

If the CAM signal is lost while the engine is running, the fuel injection system will shift to a calculated sequential fuel injection mode based on the last fuel injection pulse, and the engine will continue to run. The engine can be restarted and will run in the calculated sequential mode as long as the fault is present with a 1 in 6 chance of injector sequence being correct.

### Cruise Control

The Cruise Control Module sends the cruise status input to the PCM to indicate when cruise control is engaged.

The PCM monitors the cruise status signal while commanding cruise to be disengaged via the cruise inhibit circuit. Any of the following conditions may cause the PCM to inhibit cruise control operation:

The cruise control module terminal K is the vehicle speed signal input terminal through circuit 817. In operation, the voltage varies between 0.0-5.0V. The cruise control module terminal J is used to signal the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) when cruise control is engaged through circuit 85. The PCM will then determine the correct shift pattern for the transmission. The cruise control module terminal H is used by the PCM through circuit 83, to inhibit cruise control when conditions inconsistent with cruise operation are present.

The PCM will inhibit cruise control under the following conditions:

• | When vehicle speed is less than 40 km/h (25 mph).

• | When PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or 1st gear is indicated by the transaxle range switch.

• | When an over/under battery voltage condition exists.

• | With low engine RPM.

• | With high engine RPM (fuel cut-off).

• | ABS system is active for longer than 2 seconds.

### Engine Oil Level Switch

The PCM monitors the engine oil level switch signal at start-up to determine if the engine oil is OK. If the PCM determines that a low oil level condition exists, the PCM will communicate the information over the Class II circuit to the IPC and it will illuminate the indicator lamp.

### Engine Oil Pressure Switch

The PCM monitors the engine oil pressure switch (1) signal to determine if the engine oil pressure is OK. If the PCM determines that a low oil pressure condition exists, the PCM will communicate the information over the Class II circuit to the IPC and it will illuminate the indicator lamp.

### PCM Controlled Warning Lamps

The PCM controlled lamps are intended to alert the driver to an operating condition which may require immediate attention. For information regarding other warning indicators or messages refer to Instrument Cluster Description , Driver Information Center (DIC) Operation , and Driver Information Center (DIC) Circuit Description in Instrument Panel, Gauges, and Console.

### MIL Operation

The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is located on the instrument panel and is displayed as CHECK ENGINE lamp.

#### MIL Function

• | The MIL informs the driver that a malfunction has occurred and the vehicle should be taken in for service as soon as possible

• | The MIL illuminates during a bulb test and a system test

• | A DTC will be stored if a MIL is requested by the diagnostic

#### MIL Illumination

• | The MIL will illuminate with ignition switch ON and the engine not running

• | The MIL will turn OFF when the engine is started

• | The MIL will remain ON if the self-diagnostic system has detected a malfunction

• | The MIL may turn OFF if the malfunction is not present

• | If the MIL is illuminated and then the engine stalls, the MIL will remain illuminated so long as the ignition switch is ON.

• | If the MIL is not illuminated and the engine stalls, the MIL will not illuminate until the ignition switch is cycled OFF, then ON.