GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

To provide the best possible combination of driveability, fuel economy, and emission control, a closed loop air/fuel metering system is used. When the vehicle is first started, the PCM controls fuel delivery in open loop, ignoring the fuel control heated oxygen sensors (Bank 1 HO2S1 and Bank 2 HO2S 1) signals and calculating air/fuel ratio based on inputs from the engine coolant temperature, throttle position, and mass air flow sensors. The PCM will begin using the fuel control heated oxygen sensor signals for controlling fuel delivery (Closed Loop) when the following conditions have been met:

    • The fuel control HO2S output signals are varying, indicating that the sensors are hot enough to operate properly.
    • The Engine Coolant Temperature sensor indicates coolant temperature above 21°C (70°F).
    • Engine speed has been greater than 1,200 RPM for at least 8 seconds.
    • Time since startup is at least 16 seconds for a warm engine or 50 seconds for a cold engine.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • No IAT or ECT sensor DTC(s) present
    • Vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph.
    • Intake air temperature is greater than 10°C (50°F).
    • Engine coolant temperature is greater than 0°C (32°F).
    • Startup engine coolant temperature is less than 21°C (70°F).
    • Engine coolant temperature sufficient to allow Closed Loop operation (20°C /68°F) is not achieved within 2 minutes of startup.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
    • The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Failure Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM will turn OFF the MIL during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.
    • The History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

The DTC P0125 diagnostic test will not run if the engine is started while the coolant temperature is less than 0°C (32°F) or greater than 21°C (70°F). If it is not possible to operate the vehicle under the apprpriate conditions, check the following items:

    • Cooling system coolant level - Refer to Cooling and Radiator
    • Thermostat operation - Refer to Cooling and Radiator .
    • Cooling fans operation - Refer to Electric Cooling Fan Diagnosis .
    • Check for high resistance in wiring related to the ECT sensor. Also, check for poor connections at ECT sensor and PCM (refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis).
    • DTC P0125 set indicates a skewed ECT sensor. Comparing the engine coolant temperature displayed on a scan tool with actual coolant temperature measured with a thermometer may isolate this condition. If the displayed engine coolant temperature is not close to the actual coolant temperature, replace the ECT sensor.
    • Poor connection at PCM - Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.
    • Damaged harness - Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the fault.

If DTC P0125 cannot be duplicated, the information included in the Fail Records data can be useful in determining vehicle mileage since the DTC was last set.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table:

  1. Comparing the engine coolant temperature displayed on a scan tool with actual coolant temperature measured with a thermometer may isolate this condition

    If the displayed engine coolant temperature is not close to the actual coolant temperature, replace the ECT sensor.

    If the temperatures are close, the fault is intermittent. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

1

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

--

Go to Step 2

Go to the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Allow the engine to cool completely.
  2. Start engine.
  3. With the engine idling, monitor Eng. Cool. Temp. display on the scan tool.

Does Eng. Cool. Temp. increase to above the specified value within 2 minutes?

21°C (70°F)

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 3

3

Are any ECT sensor DTCs set?

--

Go to the applicable ECT sensor DTC chart

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Allow the engine to cool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition switch and observe cooling fans operation.

Are the cooling fans off?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Electric Cooling Fan Diagnosis

5

Check the cooling system coolant level.(Refer to Cooling and Radiator).

Is the coolant level OK?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 9

6

Check for proper operation of the thermostat. Refer to Cooling and Radiator .

Is the thermostat operating correctly?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 9

7

Compare Eng. Cool. Temp. displayed on the scan tool to the actual coolant temperature measured with a thermometer.

Is the scan tool Eng. Cool. Temp. indication within the specified value of the measured temperature?

± 3°C (± 5°F)

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

8

Check for high resistance in wiring related to the ECT sensor.

Also, check for poor connections at the ECT sensor and at the PCM.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

9

Refer to Cooling and Radiator for cooling system diagnosis and repair condition as necessary.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

10

Replace the faulty terminal(s) or repair faulty wiring as necessary.

Refer to Electrical Diagnois.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

11

Replace the ECT sensor. Refer to Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement .

Is Action complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

12

  1. Allow the engine to cool completely.
  2. Clear DTCs.
  3. Start engine.
  4. With the engine idling, monitor Eng. Cool. Temp. display on the scan tool.

Does Eng. Cool. Temp. increase to above the specified value within 2 minutes?

21°C (70°F)

System OK

Go to Step 2