GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0351: Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit

DTC P0352: Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit

DTC P0353: Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit

DTC P0354: Ignition Coil 4 Control Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Ignition Coil 1 Control Circuit

P2300

P0351

P0351

P2301

Ignition Coil 2 Control Circuit

P2303

P0352

P0352

P2304

Ignition Coil 3 Control Circuit

P2306

P0353

P0353

P2307

Ignition Coil 4 Control Circuit

P2309

P0354

P0354

P2310

Circuit/System Description

The ignition system uses individual ignition coil/module assemblies for each cylinder. The engine control module (ECM) controls the individual coils by transmitting timing pulses on the ignition control (IC) circuit of each ignition coil/module to enable a spark event. When the engine is running the ECM monitors each IC circuit for improper voltage levels. Each ignition coil/module has the following circuits:

    • Ignition voltage
    • Ground
    • IC
    • Low reference

Conditions for Running the DTCs

    • The engine speed is less than 6,000 RPM.
    • The ignition 1 voltage signal is between 9-18 volts.
    • DTCs P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354 run continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTCs

The ECM detects an open in the circuit or the ignition coil/module for greater than 4 seconds continuously or 50 seconds cumulative.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354 are Type B DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Start and idle the engine.
  2. Observe the scan tool Misfire Current Cylinder parameters. The counters should not be incrementing.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the affected ignition coil/module.
  2. Ignition OFF for 90 seconds, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the ECM.
  3. Test for less than 5.0 ohms between the ignition coil/module IC circuit terminal 3:
  4. • IC 1 circuit: terminal 55 X1
    • IC 2 circuit: terminal 80 X1
    • IC 3 circuit: terminal 79 X1
    • IC 4 circuit: terminal 56 X1
    If greater than the specified range, test the IC circuit for an open/high resistance.
  5. Connect the ECM.
  6. Exchange the affected ignition coil/module with the ignition/coil module of a good cylinder.
  7. Start the engine and observe the scan tool.
  8. If the DTC or the misfire transfers with the suspect ignition/coil module, replace as needed.
    If the DTC or the misfire does not transfer with the suspect ignition/coil module, replace the ECM.

Repair Instructions

    •  Ignition Coil Replacement
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming

Repair Verification

If the customer concern was a flashing MIL, then perform the following procedure:

  1. Install any components that have been removed or replaced during diagnosis.
  2. Perform any adjustments, programming or setup procedures that are required when a component is removed or replaced.
  3. Clear the DTCs.
  4. Turn OFF the ignition for 60 seconds.
  5. If the repair was related to a DTC, duplicate the Conditions for Running the DTC and use the Freeze Frame/Failure Records, if applicable, in order to verify the DTC does not reset. If the DTC resets or another DTC is present, refer to the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle and perform the appropriate diagnostic procedure.
  6. To verify that the performance of the catalytic converter has not been affected by the condition that set this DTC, perform the Repair Verification for DTC P0420. Refer to DTC P0420.