GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Refer to

Fuel Controls


Object Number: 174948  Size: FS
Engine Controls Components
Information Sensors/Switches Description
Fuel Injector Controls
Ignition System
OBDII Symbol Description Notice

Circuit Description

When the ignition switch is turned ON, the VCM energizes the fuel pump relay which powers the in-tank fuel pump ON. The in-tank fuel pump remains ON as long as the engine is cranking or running and the VCM is receiving the distributor reference pulses. If there are no reference pulses, the VCM shuts the fuel pump OFF within 2 seconds after the ignition was turned ON or if the engine stops. The VCM will also turn ON the fuel pump for 2 seconds when the ignition is turned to the OFF position.

Should the fuel pump relay or the 12 volt relay drive from the VCM fail, the fuel pump receives a supply current through the oil pressure switch backup circuit.

Diagnostic Aids

An inoperative fuel pump relay can result in long cranking times. The time necessary for the oil pressure to reach the pressure required in order to close the oil pressure switch and supply the necessary current for the fuel pump causes the extended crank period. If the fuel pump relay circuit checks out OK, refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .

Excessive fuel may also cause long cranking times accompanied by the following conditions:

    • A start that is not as fast as normal
    • A puff of black smoke at the tailpipe

An improperly connected or faulty EVAP canister control valve can cause this problem. Disconnect the EVAP purge hose from the EVAP canister control valve in order to diagnose. Refer to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis .

One or more leaking poppet nozzles may also extend the cranking time. Perform the Poppet Nozzle Test, in the Injector Balance Test Table. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test for the 4.3L.

Test Description

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

  1. The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and stores the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool, if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the malfunction occurred. The information is then stored in the scan tool for later reference.

  2. If the no start condition was due to a open fuse, locate and repair any shorts that may have caused the fuse to open before replacement.

  3. This step determines if the fuel pump circuit can be controlled by the VCM. The VCM should energize the fuel pump relay and turn the fuel pump ON when commanded by the scan tool. If the engine is not cranking or running, the VCM should de-energize the relay and turn OFF the fuel pump after 2 seconds.

  4. Jumping the fuel pump feed terminal to the fuel pump relay ignition feed terminal verifies that the fuel pump relay ignition feed circuit, the fuel pump feed circuit, the fuel pump and fuel ground are all OK.

  5. Check for an open ground circuit.

  6. Replacement VCMs must be reprogrammed. Refer to the latest Techline information for programming procedures.

  7. This step checks the fuel pump ground circuit on the body side of the body harness only. If the fuel pump ground circuit is OK, then the fuel pump feed circuit or the fuel pump ground circuit in the fuel tank harness or the fuel pump itself is malfunctioning.

  8. This test will determine if a short to ground on the fuel pump feed circuit caused the fuse to open. To prevent mis-diagnosis, be sure the fuel pump harness is disconnected before the test.

Fuel Pump Circuit Diagnosis

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

Does the fuel pump run continuously with the ignition key OFF?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 3

3

Inspect the fuel pump relay fuse.

Is the fuse OK?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 21

4

  1. Turn the ignition switch ON.
  2. Install a scan tool.
  3. Command the fuel pump relay ON.

Does the in-tank fuel pump run when commanded ON?

--

Go to

Engine Cranks but Does Not Run

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Disconnect the fuel pump relay.
  2. Using a fused jumper wire, connect the fuel pump feed terminal to the fuel pump relay ignition feed terminal.

Does the fuel pump run?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

  1. With a test light connected to ground, probe the fuel pump relay control terminal.
  2. Command the fuel pump ON with the scan tool.

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

7

With a test light connected to ground, probe the ignition feed terminal to the fuel pump relay.

Is the test light ON?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

8

With a test light connected to B+, probe the ground terminal to the fuel pump relay.

Is the test light ON?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

9

Check for an open or short to ground in the fuel pump control circuit and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 33

Go to Step 14

10

  1. Reinstall the fuel pump relay.
  2. Disconnected the fuel pump electrical harness at the rear body connector.
  3. Probe the fuel pump feed terminal (body side) with a test light connected to ground.
  4. Command the fuel pump ON with the scan tool.

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 16

11

Repair the open in the ignition feed circuit for the fuel pump relay.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

12

Replace the fuel pump relay. Refer to Fuel Pump Relay Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

13

Repair the open ground circuit to the fuel pump relay.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

14

Inspect connections and terminals at the VCM and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 33

Go to Step 17

15

With a test light connected to B+, probe the fuel pump ground circuit (body side).

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 19

16

Repair the open or short to ground in the fuel pump feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

17

  1. Replace the VCM.
  2. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming .
  3. Perform the VTD Password Learn Procedure. Refer to Password Learn .
  4. Perform the Crankshaft Variation Learn Procedure. Refer to Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

18

Check the fuel pump feed and ground circuits in the fuel pump harness for an open and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 33

Go to Step 20

19

Repair the open fuel pump ground circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

20

Replace the fuel pump. Refer to Fuel Sender Assembly Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

21

Caution: The fuel pump will operate for 2 seconds after you have turned off the ignition. Make sure that all the fuel pipes and fittings are securely fastened in order to prevent personal injury.

  1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
  2. Disconnect the fuel pump electrical harness at the rear body harness connector.
  3. Disconnect the fuel pump relay.
  4. Probe the fuel pump feed terminal with a test light connected to B+.

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 23

22

Repair the short to ground in the fuel pump feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

23

With the test light still connected to B+, probe the fuel pump relay ignition feed circuit terminal.

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 25

24

Repair the short to ground in the fuel pump relay ignition feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

25

Check the fuel pump feed circuit in the fuel pump harness for a short to ground and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 33

Go to Step 20

26

Disconnect the fuel pump relay.

Does the fuel pump continue to run?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 29

27

Disconnect the fuel pump/oil pressure switch.

Does the pump continue to run?

--

Go to Step 32

Go to Step 28

28

Replace the oil pressure switch. Refer to Fuel Pump and Engine Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

29

With a test light connected to ground, probe the fuel pump relay control cavity with the ignition key in the OFF position.

Is the test light ON?

--

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 30

30

Replace the fuel pump relay. Refer to Fuel Pump Relay Replacement

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 33

--

31

Check for a short to voltage on the fuel pump relay control line.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 33

--

32

Check for a short to voltage on the fuel pump feed line from the fuel pump relay to the fuel pump.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 33

--

33

  1. Using the scan tool, clear the DTCs.
  2. Attempt to start the engine.

Does the engine start and continue to run?

--

Go to Step 34

Go to Step 4

34

  1. Allow the engine to idle until normal operation temperature is reached.
  2. Check if any DTCs are set.

Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to applicable DTC table

System OK