PRELIMINARY INSPECTION
- Verify on-board diagnostics are working by performing «DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE CONTROLS»(ref-158516-S41425574832003100300000) under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - 6.6L SIERRA & SILVERADO - DIESEL article.
- Ensure PCM and MIL functions properly.
- Ensure no DTCs (except intermittent) are stored.
- Perform fuel system pressure test. See «FUEL SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS (CAB & CHASSIS)»(ref-152810-S32124860582003022600000) , «FUEL SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS (PICKUP)»(ref-152810-S01617872092003022800000) or «FUEL SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS -- HIGH PRESSURE SIDE»(ref-152810-S21775685432003022800000) under FUEL SYSTEMS in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - 6.6L SIERRA & SILVERADO - DIESEL article.
- Visually inspect all systems.
After all checks have been performed, verify customer complaint and locate correct symptom. Check items indicated under that symptom. See SYMPTOMS .
SYMPTOMS
Note. Before proceeding with any symptom diagnosis, perform all steps under PRELIMINARY INSPECTION .
Note. If PCM displays data but engine fails to start, see NO-START DIAGNOSIS in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - 6.6L SIERRA & SILVERADO - DIESEL article.
Note. Before proceeding with any symptom diagnosis, perform PRELIMINARY INSPECTION .
Symptom checks should not be used unless symptom occurs while vehicle is being tested. To reduce diagnostic time, ensure steps in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - 6.6L SIERRA & SILVERADO - DIESEL and SELF DIAGNOSTICS - 6.6L SIERRA & SILVERADO - DIESEL articles were performed before diagnosing a symptom. Symptoms available for diagnosis include
- «ENGINE CUTS OUT, MISSES»(ref-152999-S22322449402003031000000)
- «EXCESSIVE BLACK SMOKE»(ref-152999-S03805138682003031000000)
- «EXCESSIVE BLUE OR GRAY SMOKE»(ref-152999-S28188812742003031000000)
- «EXCESSIVE WHITE SMOKE»(ref-152999-S34797210772003031000000)
- «FUEL KNOCK/COMBUSTION NOISE»(ref-152999-S18631300182003031000000)
- «HARD START»(ref-152999-S20394003772003031000000)
- «HESITATION, SAG OR STUMBLE»(ref-152999-S08305024372003031000000)
- «LACK OF POWER OR SLUGGISH»(ref-152999-S00704997172003031000000)
- «POOR FUEL ECONOMY»(ref-152999-S42528808552003031000000)
- «ROUGH, UNSTABLE OR INCORRECT IDLE & STALLING»(ref-152999-S13299283882003031000000)
- «VEHICLE SURGES OR CHUGGLES»(ref-152999-S03619476282003031000000)
Symptom Definition
Cuts out, misses is defined as a steady pulsation or jerking following engine speed, usually more pronounced as engine load increases. Exhaust may have a steady spitting sound at idle or low speed. Perform VISUAL INSPECTION under PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENTS in BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - 6.6L SIERRA & SILVERADO - DIESEL article.
Black smoke under load, idle or start up hot or cold.
Blue or Gray smoke under load, idle or start up hot or cold.
White smoke under load, idle or start up hot or cold.
A mild to severe ping, usually worse under acceleration. The engine makes sharp metallic knocks that change with the throttle opening.
Engine cranks okay, but does not start immediately. Engine eventually starts and may run okay or soon stall.
Momentary lack of response when accelerator is pushed down. May occur at any vehicle speed. Usually occurs after a stop. If severe enough, may cause engine to stall.
Engine delivers less power than expected. Little or no increase in speed when accelerator is applied.
Fuel economy, as measured by an actual road test, is noticeably lower than expected. Current fuel economy is noticeably lower than previous fuel economy.
Engine runs unevenly at idle. If bad enough, vehicle will shake. Idle RPM may vary. Engine idles at incorrect RPM.
Engine power varies under steady throttle or cruise. Feels like vehicle speeds up and slows down even though accelerator pedal position remains constant.
SCAN TOOL SNAPSHOT
The scan tool can be set up to take a snapshot of the parameters available via serial data. The snapshot function records live data over a period of time. The recorded data can be played back and analyzed. The scan tool can also graph parameters singly or in combinations of parameters for comparison. The snapshot can be triggered manually at the time the symptom is noticed, or set up in advance to trigger when a DTC sets. An abnormal value captured in the recorded data may point to a system or component that needs to be investigated further. Refer to scan tool user instructions for more information on the Snapshot function.