For 1990-2009 cars

Refer to

#### Cell 21: Ignition System

and

#### Cell 21: CMP Sensor and CKP Sensor

.

### Circuit Description

The powertrain control module (PCM) uses information from the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor and the camshaft position (CMP) sensor in order to determine when an engine misfire is occurring. By monitoring changes in the crankshaft rotation for each cylinder the PCM counts individual misfire events. The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminates when the misfire rate equals or exceeds a pre-determined count. A misfire rate that is high enough can cause the catalytic converter to overheat under certain driving conditions. The MIL will flash On and Off when the conditions for catalytic converter overheating are present.

### Conditions for Running the DTC

• | Engine coolant temperature is -10°C to 110°C (14°F to 230°F).

• | Intake air temperature is -10°C to 70°C (14°F to 158°F).

• | Barometric pressure is greater than 75 kPa.

• | TP sensor change is less than 1.9 degrees/16 firing events.

• | The change in MAP is less than 1.3 kPa / 60 firing events.

• | Engine speed is less than 6,500 RPM.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

• | The misfire rate at 200 engine revolutions is greater than a specified value.

• | The misfire rate at 1,000 engine revolutions is greater than a specified value.

• | The conditions are present for 5 seconds after the engine is started to 1 second from fuel shut-off.

### Action Taken When the DTC Sets

• | The PCM flashes the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) the first time a catalyst damaging misfire occurs.

• | The PCM illuminates the MIL the second time emission thresholds are exceeded (second time the diagnostic fails).

• | The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information is stored in the Freeze Frame buffer.

### Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

• | The MIL turns OFF after three consecutively passing trips without a fault present.

• | A History DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles without a fault.

• | Use the scan tool Clear DTC Information function or disconnect the PCM battery feed in order to clear the DTC.

### Diagnostic Aids

Check for any of the following conditions:

• | If any DTCs other than misfire (P0300 to P0304) are present, diagnose those DTCs first.

• | Check for engine overheating.

• | Check for engine vacuum leaks.

• | Check for a PCV system malfunction. Perform a functional check of the PCV valve. Refer to Crankcase Ventilation System Inspection .

• | An intermittent ignition system malfunction (spark plugs, ignition wires, ignition coil). Check ignition system performance with an engine oscilloscope.

• | Fuel pressure that is out of specification. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .

• | A fuel injector malfunction may cause a DTC P0300 to set. Check the performance of the fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) and Sequential Multiport Fuel Injector Balance Test .

• | Water in the fuel may cause an intermittent misfire. Check for contaminated fuel.

• | An engine mechanical malfunction. Measure engine cylinder compression and valve lash adjustment for comparison to manufacture specifications. Refer to Engine Mechanical.

• | A damaged wiring harness. Inspect the applicable wiring harness for damage and repair as necessary.

• | A misfire DTC can also be the result of a defective signal rotor on the crankshaft timing belt pulley. Remove the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor and inspect the crankshaft signal rotor through the sensor hole. Check the crankshaft signal rotor for foreign material or damaged teeth.

• | The PCM relies on the CKP sensor for engine reference signals. Without continuous accurate reference signals, there may be erratic spark or fuel injector pulse. A CKP sensor Ignition Reference Low circuit that is shorted to ground will cause a faulty engine reference signal to be sent to the PCM, resulting in an engine misfire. Inspect the Ignition Reference Low circuit for an intermittent short to ground.

An intermittent fault may be duplicated by wetting the secondary ignition system with water and operating the vehicle under the conditions that the DTC set.

If a DTC P0300 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Freeze Frame data can be useful in determining vehicle operating conditions when the DTC was first set.

### Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers in the Diagnostic Table.

1. The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the freeze frame data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the fault occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.

2. This step determines if a fault is present.

3. The #1 ignition coil provides spark for cylinders 1 and 4 simultaneously. The #2 ignition coil provides spark for cylinders 2 and 3 simultaneously. Any condition that effects the ignition circuit of one cylinder may also have an affect on the ignition circuit of the other cylinder that shares the same coil. Inspect both sides of the ignition coil for cracks, carbon tracking, and corrosion.

4. The ignition coil may have an internal fault.

5. This step checks for the electrical signal from the PCM for the operation of the fuel injector. If the injector test lamp does not illuminate the fuel injector control circuit is diagnosed for a faulty condition.

6. Faulty fuel injectors can cause a misfire condition and a DTC P0300 to set.

7. This step checks for a mechanical fault as the cause of the misfire condition. Low engine compression and improper valve lash may also cause a rough idling condition. For diagnosis of an engine mechanical condition, refer to Engine Mechanical.

8. This step checks for faults in the CKP sensor and circuit that can cause incorrect ignition reference signals. Without continuous accurate reference signals, there is no dependable spark or fuel injector pulse. Erratic, missing, or incorrect engine reference signals can cause the engine to misfire.

9. This step checks for a faulty CKP sensor signal rotor. Visually inspect the teeth of the signal rotor through the CKP sensor aperture for damage, foreign material, and mis-alignment.

Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic System Check? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
2 | Start the engine. Is a misfire present at Idle? | -- | Go to Step 4 | Go to Step 3
3 |

1. Install a scan tool.
2. Turn ON the ignition, leaving the engine OFF.
3. Perform the scan tool Clear DTC Information function.
4. Operate the vehicle within the Freeze Frame data as noted.

Is a DTC P0300 set?

--

Go to Step 4

Fault not Present-Go to Diagnostic Aids

4 |

1. Perform a visual and a physical inspection for any of the following conditions:

• | Improperly operating or leaking PCV valve

• | Incorrect PCV valve

• | A vacuum leak at the intake manifold or gasket

• | A vacuum leak at a cracked, split or worn vacuum hose

2. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 5

5 |

1. Install a J 26792 spark tester or an equivalent to the #1 spark plug wire.
2. Check for spark while cranking the engine.
3. Re-install the spark plug wire and repeat Steps 2 thru 4 for each cylinder.

Did each spark plug wire have a good crisp blue spark while cranking the engine?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 6

6 |

1. Remove the ignition wires.
2. Visually and physically inspect the ignition wires for any of the following conditions:

• | Carbon tracking

• | Insulation damage

• | Corroded terminals

3. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 7

7 |

1. Measure the resistance of the ignition wires with a DMM.
2. Replace any ignition wires that measure greater than the specified value.

Did any ignition wires need replacement?

3.0k to 6.7k ohms/ft

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 8

8 |

1. Perform a visual and a physical inspection of the ignition coils for any of the following conditions:

• | Cracks

• | Moisture

• | Faulty electrical connections

• | Carbon tracking

• | Corrosion

2. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 9

9 | Replace the ignition coil that supplies the cylinder that had no spark. Refer to Ignition Coil Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 17 | --
10 |

1. Remove the spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in Engine Electrical.
2. Visually and physically inspect each spark plug for any of the following conditions:

• | Oil fouling

• | Fuel fouling

• | Evidence of coolant in the cylinder

• | Incorrect gap

• | Missing platinum pads

• | Loose center electrode

• | Cracked porcelain

• | Carbon tracking

• | Loose terminal end

3. Replace as necessary. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .

Did any spark plugs need replacement?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

11 |

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Disconnect the fuel injector electrical connectors.
3. Install a J 34730-2B injector test lamp or an equivalent into the each of the fuel injector harness connectors one at time.
4. Observe the injector test lamp for each injector while cranking the engine.

Did the fuel injector test lamp flash for each fuel injector while cranking the engine?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Fuel Injector Circuit Diagnosis

12 | Check the fuel injectors for proper operation. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) and Sequential Multiport Fuel Injector Balance Test . Was a faulty fuel injector found and replaced? | -- | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 14
13 | Was the spark plug replaced because of fuel, oil, or coolant fouling? | -- | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 17
14 |

1. Check for any of the following engine mechanical concerns:

• | Worn or faulty camshaft

• | Leaky or sticky valves

• | Excessive valve deposits

• | Malfunctioning hydraulic valve lash adjusters

• | Broken or leaky piston rings

• | Weak valve springs

• | Incorrect valve timing

• | Intake (vacuum) leaks

• | Leaking head gasket

• | Loose or broken motor mounts

2. Repair as necessary. Refer to Engine Compression Test in Engine Mechanical.

Was a basic engine mechanical concern found and repaired?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

15 |

1. Remove the CKP sensor. Refer to Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement .
2. Visually inspect the CKP sensor for the following conditions:

• | Physical damage

• | Foreign material on the sensor (magnet) surface

• | Water or corrosion at the electrical terminals

3. Inspect the CKP sensor Ignition Reference Low circuit for a short to ground.
4. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 16

16 |

1. Visually inspect the CKP sensor signal rotor on the crankshaft timing belt pulley for the following conditions:

• | Damaged teeth

• | Foreign material

• | Correct installation

2. Repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Diagnostic Aids

17 |

1. Perform the scan tool clear DTC information function and road test the vehicle within the Freeze Frame conditions that set the DTC.
2. Review the scan tool data and check for DTCs. The repair is complete if no DTCs are stored.

Are any DTCs displayed on scan tool?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

System OK