Inspection and Verification
- Verify the customer concern.
- Visually inspect for obvious signs of damage and system integrity. Visual Inspection Mechanical Electrical Engine oil level Cooling system coolant level Fuel level Fuel contamination/grade/quality Fuses Wiring harness Loose or corroded electrical connectors Ignition coils Sensor(s) Engine Control Module (ECM)
- If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
- If the cause is not visually evident, refer to «Symptom Chart»(ref-312589-S25150280212009041400000) below, alternatively, check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and refer to «DTC Index»(ref-312589-S04129748562009041400000) .
Symptom Chart
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Engine cranks, but does not fire | Engine breather system disconnected/restricted Engine ignition system Fuel system Electronic engine controls | Ensure the engine breather system is free from restriction and is correctly installed Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for engine ignition system tests For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine controls. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. |
| Engine cranks and fires, but will not start | Evaporative emissions purge valve Fuel pump Spark plugs HT short to ground (tracking) check rubber boots for cracks/damage Ignition coil failure(s) | For purge valve tests. Refer to Evaporative Emissions article. For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. For spark plug tests, Refer to Pinpoint Test A . For engine ignition coil circuit tests, check for DTCs and refer to DTC Index |
| Difficult cold start | Engine coolant level-anti-freeze content Battery Electronic engine controls Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve stuck open Fuel pump Purge valve | Check the engine coolant level and anti-freeze content. Refer to Specifications article. Ensure the battery is in a fully charged and serviceable condition Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine controls. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. For EGR system tests. Refer to Engine Emission Control article. For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. For purge valve tests. Refer to Evaporative Emissions article. |
| Difficult hot start | Injector leak Electronic engine controls Purge valve Fuel pump Engine ignition system EGR valve stuck open | Check for leaking injectors Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine controls. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. For purge valve tests. Refer to Evaporative Emissions article. For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for engine ignition system tests For EGR valve tests. Refer to Engine Emission Control article. |
| Difficult to start after hot soak (vehicle standing, engine off, after engine has reached operating temperature) | Injector leak Electronic engine controls Purge valve Fuel pump Engine ignition system EGR valve stuck open | Check for leaking injectors Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine control tests. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. For purge valve tests. Refer to Evaporative Emissions article. For fuel system tests. Refer to Evaporative Emissions article. Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for engine ignition system tests For EGR valve tests. Refer to Engine Emission Control article. |
| Engine stalls soon after start | Breather system disconnected/restricted Electronic engine control Engine ignition system Air intake system restricted Air leakage Fuel lines | Ensure the engine breather system is free from restriction and is correctly installed Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine control. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for engine ignition system tests Check for blockage in air filter element and air intake system For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. |
| Engine hesitates/poor acceleration | Fuel pressure, pump and lines Injector leak Air leakage Electronic engine controls Engine ignition system EGR valve stuck open Transmission malfunction Restricted pedal travel (carpet, etc) | For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. Check for injector leak Check for leakage from air intake system Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine control tests. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for engine ignition system tests For EGR system tests. Refer to Engine Emission Control article. For transmission tests. Refer to Diagnostic Strategy article. Ensure accelerator pedal is free from restriction |
| Engine backfires | Fuel pump and lines Air leakage Electronic engine controls Engine ignition system Sticking Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) hub | For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. Check for leakage in air intake system Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine controls. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for engine ignition system tests Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for VCT tests. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. |
| Engine surges | Fuel pump and lines Electronic engine controls Engine ignition system | For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine controls. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for engine ignition system tests |
| Engine detonates/knocks | Electronic engine controls Fuel pump and lines Air leakage Sticking VCT hub | Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine controls For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. Check for leakage from air intake system Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for VCT tests. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. |
| No throttle response | Electronic engine controls | Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine control tests |
| Poor throttle response | Breather system disconnected/restricted Electronic engine control Transmission malfunction Traction control event Air leakage | Ensure the engine breather system is free from restriction and is correctly installed Read DTCs and refer to DTC Index for electronic engine control tests. Refer to Electronic Engine Controls article. For transmission tests. Refer to Diagnostic Strategy article. Check for leakage from air intake system |
DTC Index
| CAUTION | When probing connectors to take measurements in the course of the pinpoint tests, use the adaptor kit, part number 3548-1358-00. |
Note. Generic scan tools may not read the codes listed, or may read only five digit codes. Match the five digits from the scan tool to the first five digits of the seven digit code listed to identify the fault (the last two digits give extra information read by the manufacturer-approved diagnostic system).
Note. When performing electrical voltage or resistance tests, always use a digital multimeter (DMM) accurate to three decimal places, and with an up-to-date calibration certificate. When testing resistance, always take the resistance of the DMM leads into account.
Note. Check and rectify basic faults before beginning diagnostic routines involving pinpoint tests.
Note. If DTCs are recorded and, after the pinpoint tests have been carried out, the fault is not present, an intermittent concern may be the cause. Always check for loose connections and corroded terminals.
| DTC | Description | Possible Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| P035100 | Cylinder 1 ignition coil primary/secondary circuit | Engine ignition coil circuit - short to ground, power, open circuit | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P035200 | Cylinder 2 ignition coil primary/secondary circuit | Engine ignition coil circuit - short to ground, power, open circuit | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P035300 | Cylinder 3 ignition coil primary/secondary circuit | Engine ignition coil circuit - short to ground, power, open circuit | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P035400 | Cylinder 4 ignition coil primary/secondary circuit | Engine ignition coil circuit - short to ground, power, open circuit | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P035500 | Cylinder 5 ignition coil primary/secondary circuit | Engine ignition coil circuit - short to ground, power, open circuit | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P035600 | Cylinder 6 ignition coil primary/secondary circuit | Engine ignition coil circuit - short to ground, power, open circuit | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P035700 | Cylinder 7 ignition coil primary/secondary circuit | Engine ignition coil circuit - short to ground, power, open circuit | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P035800 | Cylinder 8 ignition coil primary/secondary circuit | Engine ignition coil circuit - short to ground, power, open circuit | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P131500 | Persistent misfire | ECM to ignition coil primary circuit fault (cylinder misfire detected DTC also flagged) Fuel injector circuit fault(s) (injector DTCs also flagged) Fuel delivery pressure low Spark plug failure/fouled/incorrect gap Cylinder compression low | Check for cylinder mis-fire, ignition and injector DTCs and refer to DTC Index For fuel system tests. Refer to Fuel Tank and Lines article. For spark plug tests. See Engine Ignition . For cylinder compression tests. Refer to Engine article. |
| P136700 | Ignition amplifier group A | Ignition module/coil monitoring circuit - short to ground, short to power, high resistance | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
| P136800 | Ignition amplifier group B | Ignition module/coil monitoring circuit - short to ground, short to power, high resistance | Carry out any pinpoint tests associated with this DTC using the manufacturer approved diagnostic system |
Pinpoint Test A: CHECK SPARK PLUG RESISTANCE
Note. When installing new spark plugs, only spark plugs to the recommended specification must be used.
Pinpoint Test A
A1
CHECK SPARK PLUG RESISTANCE
- Remove the suspect spark plug(s).
- Measure the resistance between
- Spark plug Spark plug Center electrode tip HT contact
- Is the resistance between 8,000 and 12,000 ohms? (nominal 10,000 ohms)
YES Check ignition coil and circuits. Refer to «DTC Index»(ref-312589-S04129748562009041400000) for ignition coil and circuit tests.
NO INSTALL new spark plug(s). CLEAR the DTC and test the system for normal operation.
Scheme 2
- Remove the cover and disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to «Specifications»(ref-312564-S31890761012009041400000) article.
- Remove the ignition coil-on-plugs. See «Ignition Coil-On-Plug - Vehicles Without: Supercharger»(ref-312589-S34676377062009041400000) .
- Remove the remaining ignition coil-on-plugs.
- Clean the area surrounding the spark plugs.
- Remove the spark plugs.