GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 1999 🢒 Eighty Eight 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L 🢒 DTC P1381 Misfire Detected - No Communication with Brake Control Module

Refer to Antilock Brake System Schematics for a wiring diagram.

Circuit Description

The PCM receives rough road information from the EBCM / EBTCM on the Class 2 serial data circuit. The PCM uses the rough road information to enhance the misfire diagnostic by distinguishing crankshaft speed variations caused by driving on rough road surfaces from variations caused by true misfires. The EBCM / EBTCM transmits rough road information based on imputs from the wheel speed sensors. If a loss of communication occurs which causes the PCM not to receive rough road information while DTC P0300 is requesting the MIL, DTC P1381 will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • Engine load is less than 87%.
    • Engine speed is less than 5000 RPM.
    • Vehicle speed is greater than 10 mph.
    • A misfire DTC is occurring and requesting the MIL to be illuminated.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The PCM is detecting a loss of communication with the EBCM / EBTCM for at least 10 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The PCM stores conditions which were present when the DTC set as Failure Records only. This information will not be stored as Freeze Frame Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The DTC becomes history when the conditions for setting the DTC are no longer present.
    • The history DTC clears after 40 malfunction free warm-up cycles.
    • The PCM receives a clear code command from the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Poor conneciton at the PCM or at the EBCM / EBTCM.
        Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.
    • Damaged harness.
        Inpsect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe ABS data on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the EBCM / EBTCM. A loss of ABS data will indicate the location of the malfunction.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

Test Description

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

  1. Ensures that the EBCM/EBTCM is capable of transmitting serial data on the UART serial data circuit.

    2.

  2. Checks the UART serial data circuit at the EBCM/EBTCM for correct voltage.

DTC P1381 - Misfire Detected - No EBCM/PCM Serial Data

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  2. Select chassis application on the scan tool.
  3. Attempt to display ABS data on the scan tool.

Can ABS data be displayed?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3
  1. Check the serial data circuit for an open or a poor connection between the PCM and the EBCM.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found?

--

System OK

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect the EBCM.
  3. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  4. Using a Digital Multimeter, measure voltage on the serial data circuit at the EBCM harness connector.

Does voltage vary within a range between the specified values?

1-5V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5
  1. Check for a poor connection at the EBCM.
  2. If a problem is found, replace terminal(s) as necessary. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6
  1. Check for an open in the serial data circuit to the EBCM.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Diagnostic System Check - ABS .

7
  1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  2. Select chassis application on the scan tool.
  3. Attempt to display ABS data on the scan tool.

Can ABS data be displayed?

--

System OK

Go to Step 4