GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 193959  Size: LF
Ignition System
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Engine Controls Components
OBD II Symbol Description Notice

Circuit Description

This system includes the distributor, the ignition coil, the ignition control module, the secondary wires, spark plugs, the VCM and the crank sensor. The ignition system is controlled by the Vehicle Control Module (VCM). The VCM monitors the information from various engine sensors, computes the desired spark timing and controls the dwell and firing of the ignition coil via an (IC) line to the ignition control module.

Diagnostic Aids

Check the following items:

The IC control circuit intermittent short to ground.

Basic engine mechanical problems:

    • Distributor drive gear
    • Camshaft
    • Timing chain and gears

An intermittent may be cause by a poor connection, rubbed through wire insulation, or a broken wire inside the insulation. Thoroughly check any circuity that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint for the following conditions:

    • Backed out terminals
    • Improper mating
    • Broken locks
    • Improperly formed or damaged terminals
    • Poor terminal to wire connections
    • Physical damage to the wiring harness
    • Corrosion
    • Moisture in the connector

Test Description

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

The battery should be fully charged prior to any tests.

  1. Perform the OBD system check before proceeding unless it was already performed.

  2. Checks for proper output from the enhanced ignition system. The spark test requires a minimum of 25,000 volts to operate. This check can be used in case of an ignition miss, because the system may provide enough voltage to run the engine but not enough to operate a spark plug under heavy load.

  3. This test separates the distributor cap, rotor, and ignition wires from the ignition coil in order to help identify a secondary ignition system problem.

  4. This test checks the ignition control module, connections, and wiring.

  5. This test begins to determine if the VCM is providing a signal to the ignition control module. If the VCM is not providing a signal to the ignition control module, the problem exists between the ignition control module and the VCM.

  6. This test checks for a basic engine mechanical problem.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Important:: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool Capture Info to save the Freeze Frame and Failure Records for reference. The control module's data is deleted once the Clear Info function is used.

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Check the spark plug wires for open circuits, cracks or improper seating of terminals at the spark plugs, distributor and ignition coil before proceeding with the test.
  2. Check spark at the plug with the J 26792 spark tester or equivalent while cranking. (If there is no spark on one wire, check a second wire). A few sparks then nothing is considered no spark.

Is adequate spark present?

--

Go to Symptoms

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Remove the coil wire from the distributor cap.
  2. Insert J 26792 spark tester into coil wire and clamp the tester onto a ground.
  3. Crank the engine.

Is adequate spark present?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 4

4

Measure the coil wire resistance using a J 39200 DMM. The resistance should be approximately the specified value.

Is the resistance within the specified value?

1000 ohms/inch

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 32

5

  1. Disconnect the ignition coil harness connector.
  2. Probe the ignition coil connector terminal C with a test lamp connected to B+.
  3. Crank the engine.

Is the test lamp flashing while cranking the engine?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Probe the ignition coil harness connector terminal C with a test lamp connected to the B+ terminal.

Is the test lamp ON?

--

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 9

7

Probe the ignition coil connector terminal B with a test lamp connected to B+.

Is the test lamp ON?

--

Go to Step 29

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Turn ON the ignition leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Measure the terminal A voltage with a J 39200 DMM connected to a ground.

Does the voltage measure above the specified value?

10.0 V

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 18

9

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the ignition control module harness connector.
  3. Check for an open circuit between the ignition coil harness connector terminal C and the ignition control module harness connector terminal D.

Is the circuit open?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 10

10

  1. Disconnect the ignition control module harness connector.
  2. Turn ON the ignition leaving the engine OFF.
  3. Measure the voltage on terminal A at the ignition control module harness connector with a J 39200 DMM connected to a ground.

Does the voltage measure above the specified value?

10.0 V

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 19

11

Probe the ignition control module harness connector terminal C with a test lamp connected to B+.

Is the test lamp ON?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 23

12

  1. Disconnect the ignition control module harness connector.
  2. Probe the ignition control module harness connector terminal B with a J 39200 DMM set to the AC scale connected to a ground.
  3. Crank the engine.
  4. Observe the voltage while the engine is being cranked.

Is the voltage between the specified values?

1.0-4.0 V

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 15

13

  1. Remove the distributor cap.
  2. Check the cap for the following conditions:
  3. • Cracks
    • Moisture
    • Carbon tracks
    • Physical damage

Are any of these conditions present?

--

Go to Step 34

Go to Step 14

14

  1. Crank the engine.
  2. Observe the distributor rotor while the engine is being cranked.

Did the distributor rotor turn?

--

Go to Step 33

Go to Symptoms

15

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the VCM C3 connector.
  3. Check the ignition timing signal circuit for an open between the VCM C3 harness connector and the ignition control module harness connector terminal B.

Is the circuit open?

--

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 16

16

Probe the ignition control (IC) circuit at the VCM C3 harness connector with a test lamp connected to B+.

Is the test lamp ON?

--

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 17

17

  1. Turn ON the ignition leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Probe the ignition control (IC) circuit at the VCM C3 connector with a test lamp connected to a ground.

Is the test lamp ON?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 22

18

Check for an open or shorted to ground ignition positive voltage circuit at terminal A of the ignition coil.

Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

19

Check for an open or shorted to ground ignition positive voltage circuit at terminal A of the ignition control module.

Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

20

Check for a poor ignition control module connection.

Did you find a problem?

--

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 35

21

Check for a poor coil connection .

Did you find a problem?

--

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 31

22

Check for a poor VCM connection.

Did you find a problem?

--

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 36

23

Repair the open ignition control module ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

24

Repair the open IC circuit between the VCM and the ignition control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

25

Repair the grounded IC circuit between the VCM and the ignition control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

26

Repair the short to voltage in the IC circuit between the VCM and the ignition control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

27

Repair the open in the tachometer signal circuit between the ignition coil and the ignition control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

28

Repair the short to ground in the tachometer signal circuit between the ignition coil and the ignition control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

29

Repair the short to ground in the tachometer input circuit between the ignition coil and the instrument cluster. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

30

Repair the circuit as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

31

Replace the ignition coil. Refer to Ignition Coil and Ignition Coil Module Replacement in Engine Electrical.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

32

Replace the coil wire. Refer to Ignition Coil and Ignition Coil Module Replacement in Engine Electrical.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

33

Replace the distributor rotor. Refer to Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement for rotor replacement.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

34

Replace the distributor cap. Refer to Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement for cap replacement.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

35

Replace the ignition control module. Refer to Ignition Coil and Ignition Coil Module Replacement in Engine Electrical.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

36

  1. Replace the VCM.
  2. Program the new VCM. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming .

  3. Perform the VTD Password Learn Procedure. Refer to Password Learn .
  4. Perform the CKP System Variation Learn Procedure. Refer to Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 37

--

37

Operate the vehicle within the conditions under which the original symptom was noted.

Does the system now operate properly?

--

System OK

Go to Step 1