GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

3X Reference PCM Input

From the ignition control module, the PCM uses this signal to calculate engine RPM and crankshaft position at engine speeds above 1200 RPM. The PCM also uses the pulses on this circuit to initiate injector pulses. If the PCM receives no pulses on this circuit, DTC P1374 will set and the PCM will use the 18X reference signal circuit for fuel and ignition control. The engine will continue to start and run using the 18X reference signal only.

18X Reference PCM Input

From the ignition control module, the PCM uses this signal to calculate engine RPM and crankshaft position at engine speeds below 1200 RPM. The PCM also uses the pulses on this circuit to initiate injector pulses. If the PCM receives no pulses on this circuit, DTC P0336 will set and the PCM will use the 3X reference signal circuit at all times for fuel and ignition control. The engine will continue to start and run using the 3X reference signal only.

A/C Refrigerant Pressure Sensor

The A/C refrigerant pressure sensor signal indicates high side refrigerant pressure to the PCM. The PCM uses this information to adjust the idle air control valve to compensate for the higher engine loads present with high A/C refrigerant pressures and to control the cooling fans. A fault in the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor signal will cause DTC P0530 to set.

A/C Request PCM Input

The A/C request signal indicates to the PCM that A/C mode is selected at the A/C control head. The PCM uses this information to adjust the idle speed before turning ON the A/C clutch. If this signal is not available to the PCM, the A/C compressor will be inoperative.

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor

The crankshaft position sensor provides a signal used by the ignition control module to calculate ignition sequence. The ignition control module also uses the crankshaft position sensor signals to initiate 18X and 3X reference pulses which the PCM uses as reference to calculate RPM and crankshaft position.

Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor and CAM Signal

The camshaft position sensor sends a cam signal to the PCM which uses it as a sync pulse to trigger the injectors in proper sequence. The CAM signal is passed through the ignition control module. It is filtered and buffered by the ignition control module, but the signal is not processed in any other way. The PCM uses the CAM signal to indicate the position of the #1 piston during its power stroke. This allows the PCM to calculate true Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) mode of operation. If the PCM detects an incorrect CAM signal while the engine is running, DTC P0341 will set.

If the CAM signal is lost while the engine is running, the fuel injection system will shift to a calculated sequential fuel injection mode based on the last fuel injection pulse, and the engine will continue to run. The engine can be restarted and will run in the calculated sequential mode as long as the fault is present with a 1 in 6 chance of injector sequence being correct.

Clutch Anticipate Switch (Manual Transaxle)

The Clutch Anticipate Switch input allows the PCM/TAC to adjust the idle when the manual transmission clutch is being disengaged. The PCM monitors the Clutch Anticipate Switch input; if a low voltage is monitored, the PCM considers the Clutch Anticipate Switch closed to ground (clutch pedal released). When the ground at the Clutch Anticipate Switch input is interrupted (clutch pedal applied), the PCM will immediately decrease idles. This is done to avoid a possible RPM flare caused by the sudden change in engine load.

Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) - PCM Serial Data (CKT 800)

The PCM uses the UART serial data line (CKT 800) to communicate with various other components and systems within the vehicle. The PCM receives rough road information from the EBCM on the serial data circuit. The PCM uses the rough road information to enhance the misfire diagnostic by detecting crankshaft speed variations caused by driving on rough road surfaces. This allows false misfire information to be rejected. The EBTCM / EBCM calculates rough road information by monitoring the ABS wheel speed sensors. If a malfunction occurs which does not allow the EBTCM / EBCM to transmit correct rough road information to the PCM while a misfire DTC is requesting the MIL, DTC P1380 will set. If a loss of communications occurs which causes the PCM to not receive rough road information while a misfire DTC is requesting the MIL, DTC P1381 will set.

Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor


Object Number: 42212  Size: SH

The engine coolant temperature sensor is a thermistor (a resistor which changes value based on temperature) mounted in the engine coolant stream. Low coolant temperature produces a high resistance (100,000 ohms at -40°C/-40°F) while high temperature causes low resistance (70 ohms at 130°C/266°F).

The PCM supplies a 5 volt signal to the engine coolant temperature sensor through a resistor in the PCM and measures the voltage. The voltage will be high when the engine is cold, and low when the engine is hot. By measuring the voltage, the PCM calculates the engine coolant temperature. The scan tool displays engine coolant temperature in degrees. After engine startup, the temperature should rise steadily to about 90°C (194°F) then stabilize when thermostat opens. If the engine has not been run for several hours (overnight), the engine coolant temperature and intake air temperature displays should be close to each other.

Engine coolant temperature affects most systems the PCM controls. A hard fault in the engine coolant sensor circuit should set DTC P0117 or DTC P0118; an intermittent fault should set a DTC P1114 or P1115. This section also contains a specification table to check for sensor resistance values relative to temperature.

EGR Pintle Position Sensor

The PCM monitors the EGR valve pintle position input to ensure that the valve responds properly to commands from the PCM and to detect a fault if the pintle position sensor and control circuits are open or shorted. If the PCM detects a pintle position signal voltage outside the normal range of the pintle position sensor, or a signal voltage that is not within a tolerance considered acceptable for proper EGR system operation, the PCM will set DTC P1404. Refer to Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Description

Heated Oxygen Sensors


Object Number: 14490  Size: SH

The fuel control Heated Oxygen Sensors (Bank 1 HO2S 1 and Bank 2 HO2S 1) are mounted in the exhaust manifolds where they can monitor the oxygen content of the exhaust gas stream. The oxygen present in the exhaust gas reacts with the sensor to produce a voltage output. This voltage should constantly fluctuate from approximately 100mV (high oxygen content - lean mixture) to 900mV (low oxygen content - rich mixture). The heated oxygen sensor voltage can be monitored with a scan tool. By monitoring the voltage output of the oxygen sensor, the PCM can calculate what fuel mixture command to send the injectors (lean mixture-low HO2S voltage = rich command, rich mixture-high HO2S voltage = lean command).

An open Bank 1 HO2S 1 circuit should set a DTC P0134; an open in Bank 2 HO2S 1 circuit should set a DTC P0154. With an open HO2S signal, the scan tool will display a constant voltage between 400 - 500mV. A constant voltage below 300mV in the Bank 1 HO2S 1 sensor circuit (circuit grounded) should set DTC P0131. A constant voltage below 300mV in the Bank 2 HO2S 1 sensor circuit (circuit grounded) should set DTC P0151. A constant voltage above 800mV in the Bank 1 HO2S 1 circuit should set DTC P0132, while a constant voltage above 800mV in the Bank 2 HO2S 1 circuit should set DTC P0152. A fault in the Bank 1 HO2S 1 heater circuit should cause DTC P0135 to set. A fault in the Bank 2 HO2S 1 heater circuit should cause DTC P0155 to set. The PCM can also detect HO2S response problems. If the response time of an HO2S is determined to be too slow, the PCM will store a DTC that indicates degraded HO2S performance.

To control emissions of Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), a three-way catalytic converter is used. The catalyst within the converter promotes a chemical reaction which oxidizes the HC and CO present in the exhaust gas, converting them into harmless water vapor and carbon dioxide. The catalyst also reduces NOx, converting it to nitrogen. The PCM has the ability to monitor this process using the Bank 1 HO2S 2.

The Bank 1 HO2S 1 or Bank 2 HO2S 1 produces an output signal which indicates the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gas entering the three-way catalytic converter. The Bank 1 HO2S 2 sensor produces an output signal which indicates the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst; this in turn indicates the catalyst's ability to convert exhaust gases efficiently. If the catalyst is operating efficiently, the Bank 1 HO2S 1 and the Bank 2 sensor 1 signals will be far more active than that produced by the Bank 1 HO2S 2 sensor.

Although the Bank 1 HO2S 2 sensors' main function is catalyst monitoring, they also plays a limited role in fuel control. If the sensor output indicates a voltage either above or below the 450 millivolt bias voltage for an extended period of time, the PCM will make a slight adjustment to fuel trim to ensure that fuel delivery is correct for catalyst monitoring.

A problem with the Bank 1 HO2S 2 signal circuit should set DTC P0137, P0138 or P0140 depending on the specific condition. A fault in the heated oxygen sensor heater element or its ignition feed or ground will result in slower oxygen sensor response. This may cause erroneous catalyst monitor diagnostic results. A fault in the Bank 1 HO2S 2 heater circuit should cause DTC P0141 to set.

Intake Air Temperature Sensor


Object Number: 21677  Size: SH

The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor is a thermistor which changes value based on the temperature of air entering the engine. Low temperature produces a high resistance (100,000 ohms at -40°C/-40°F), while high temperature causes low resistance (70 ohms at 130°C/266°F). The PCM supplies a 5 volt signal to the sensor through a resistor in the PCM and measures the voltage. The voltage will be high when the incoming air is cold, and low when the air is hot. By measuring the voltage, the PCM calculates the incoming air temperature.

The IAT sensor signal is used to adjust spark timing according to incoming air density. The scan tool displays temperature of the air entering the engine, which should read close to ambient air temperature when engine is cold, and rise as underhood temperature increases. If the engine has not been run for several hours (overnight) the IAT sensor temperature and engine coolant temperature should read close to each other. A failure in the IAT sensor circuit should set DTC P0112 or DTC P0113.

Reference Low

This is a ground circuit for the digital RPM counter inside the PCM, but the wire is connected to engine ground only through the ignition control module. Although this circuit is electrically connected to the PCM, it is not connected to ground at the PCM. The PCM compares voltage pulses on the 18X and 3X reference input circuits to any on this circuit, ignoring pulses that appear on both. If the circuit is open, or connected to ground at the PCM, it may cause poor engine performance and possibly a MIL with no DTC set.

Knock Sensors

The knock sensors detect abnormal vibration (spark knocking) in the engine. The sensors are mounted in the engine block near the cylinders. The knock sensors produce an AC voltage signal under all engine operating conditions. The PCM adjusts the Ignition Control (IC) spark timing based on the amplitude and frequency of the KS signal being received.

The PCM contains integrated Knock Sensor (KS) diagnostic circuitry. The PCM uses the circuitry to diagnose the KS sensors and related wiring. The PCM calculates an average voltage of each knock sensor's signals and takes instantaneous signal voltage readings. The PCM uses the instantaneous signal voltage readings to determine the state of the knock sensor circuitry. If the knock sensor system is operating normally, the PCM should monitor instantaneous KS signal voltage readings varying outside a voltage range above and below the calculated average voltage. If the PCM malfunctions in a manner which will not allow proper diagnosis of the KS circuit DTC P0325 will set. DTCs P0327 and P0332 are designed to diagnose the knock sensors, and related wiring, so problems encountered with the KS system should set a DTC.

For further information, refer to Knock Sensor (KS) System Description

Mass Air Flow Sensor


Object Number: 15006  Size: MH

The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor measures the amount of air which passes through the throttle body. The PCM uses this information to determine the operating condition of the engine, to control fuel delivery. A large quantity of air indicates acceleration, while a small quantity indicates deceleration or idle.

The scan tool displays the MAF value in grams per second (gm/s). At idle, MAF should read between 4 gm/s -7 gm/s on a fully warmed up engine. Values should change rather quickly on acceleration, but values should remain fairly stable at any given RPM. A MAF sensor malfunction or MAF signal circuit problem should set DTC P0101, DTC P0102, or DTC P0103.

Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor


Object Number: 21663  Size: MH

The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor responds to changes in intake manifold pressure (vacuum). The MAP sensor signal voltage to the PCM varies from below 2 volts at idle (high vacuum) to above 4 volts with the key ON, engine not running or at wide-open throttle (low vacuum). The MAP sensor is used to determine manifold pressure changes while the linear EGR flow test diagnostic is being run, to determine engine vacuum level for other diagnostics and to determine barometric pressure (BARO).

If the PCM detects a voltage that is lower than the possible range of the MAP sensor, DTC P0107 will be set. A signal voltage higher than the possible range of the sensor will set DTC P0108. An intermittent low or high voltage will set DTC P1107 or P1106 respectively. The PCM can also detect a shifted MAP sensor. The PCM compares the MAP sensor signal to a calculated MAP based on throttle position and various engine load factors If the PCM detects a MAP signal that varies excessively above or below the calculated value, DTC P0106 will set.

TCC Brake Switch

The TCC brake switch signal indicates when the brake pedal is applied. The TCC brake switch information is used by the PCM mainly to control the transmission torque converter clutch. This switch is used as a redundant input to the PCM on vehicles equipped with manual transmissions and if faulty, could cause a DTC P1586 to set.

Transmission Temperature Sensor

The transmission fluid temperature sensor is a thermistor which changes value based on the temperature of the transmission fluid. A high transmission fluid temperature may cause the vehicle to operate in Hot Mode. While in Hot Mode, shift points may be altered, 4th gear disabled, and TCC forced ON in 2nd gear.

A failure in the TFT sensor or associated wiring should cause DTC P0712 or P0713 to set. In this case, engine coolant temperature will be substituted for the TFT sensor value, and the transmission will operate normally.