GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The engine control module (ECM) identifies engine misfire by detecting variations in crankshaft speed. Crankshaft speed variations can also occur when a vehicle is operating over a rough road. The ECM receives a rough road signal by a gravity sensing rough road sensor or an electronic brake control module (EBCM), if equipped with the anti-lock brake system (ABS). The ABS can detect if the vehicle is on the rough surface based on wheel acceleration/deceleration data supplied by each wheel speed sensor. This information is sent to the ECM by the EBCM through a serial data line. The rough road sensor is a vertical low G-acceleration sensor. By sensing vertical acceleration caused by rough road conditions, the ECM determines if the changes in crankshaft speed are due to engine misfire or are driveline induced. If the ECM can not receive any of those signals, this DTC sets.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0317 Rough Road Signal Not Detected

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine is running.
    • DTC P0317 runs continuously once the above condition is met for more than 10 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The ECM does not detect a rough road signal for more than 9 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module stores the DTC information into memory when the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Failure Records.
    • The driver information center, if equipped, may display a message.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • A current DTC Last Test Failed clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other non-emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the DTC with a scan tool.

Test Description

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

  1. This step tests for a poor connection at the ECM or the harness connections for backed-out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and a poor terminal-to-wire connection.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

Did DTCs P0502, P1380, P1381, P1391, P1392, or P1393 also set?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Does the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Intermittent Conditions

4

Is the vehicle equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS)?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Disconnect the rough road sensor.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Measure the voltage from the 5-volt reference circuit of the rough road sensor to a good ground with a DMM.

Is the voltage within the specified range?

4.8-5.2 V

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Important: The 5-volt reference circuits are internally connected within the controller. Other sensors that share the 5-volt reference circuit may also have DTCs set. Disconnecting a sensor on the shared 5-volt reference circuit may isolate a shorted sensor. Review the electrical schematic and diagnose the shared circuits and sensors.

Test the 5-volt reference circuit between the engine control module (ECM) and the rough road sensor for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 7

7

Test the signal circuit of the rough road sensor for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Reconnect the ECM and connect a jumper wire between each of the terminals in the rough road sensor harness connector and the corresponding terminal at the rough road sensor. Refer to Using Connector Test Adapters in Wiring Systems.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Measure the voltage from the 5-volt reference circuit of the rough road sensor at the jumper wire terminal to a good ground with a DMM. Refer to Measuring Voltage Drop in Wiring Systems.

Is the voltage within the specified range?

2.35-2.65 V

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

9

Test the circuit between the electronic brake control module (EBCM) connector and the ECM for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Diagnostic System Check - ABS

10

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the rough road sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 12

11

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the engine control module (ECM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 13

12

Replace the rough road sensor.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 14

--

13

Replace the ECM. Refer to Engine Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 14

--

14

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 2

15

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK