Circuit Description
The PCM has the ability to increase and decrease the amount of the fuel to each cylinder in order to provide for a smooth idle operation. If the fuel correction amount exceeds the define limits, DTC P0281 will set. This is a type D DTC.
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | The engine is at idle. |
| • | The engine coolant is at the normal temperatures. |
| • | The cylinder fault must be constant. |
| • | The fuel correction amount exceeds the limits (internal to the PCM). |
| • | The conditions were met for 2 seconds. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
A possible rough idle.
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | A History DTC will clear after forty consecutive warm-up cycles during which the diagnostic does not fail (the coolant temperature has risen 5°C (40°F) from the start up coolant temperature and the engine coolant temperature exceeds 71°C (160°F) during that same ignition cycle). |
| • | Use of a Scan tool will clear the DTC codes. |
Diagnostic Aids
The injector balance test on the Scan Tool should be used in order to confirm the cylinder problems. The Scan Tool will cutout the specific cylinder requested. If the original complaint was multiple cylinder balance DTCs and the vehicle has a manual transmission, a dual mass flywheel could be at fault. If a cylinder balance fault has been detected and the engine has been running for a long time, the PCM might try to increase or decrease the fuel in the other cylinders in order to compensate for a rough idle which may cause multiple cylinder balance DTCs to set. The Scan Tool snap shot mode can be used in order to properly identify the suspected cylinder. The most likely cause of cylinder balance DTCs are malfunctioning nozzles or engine mechanical (low compression) problems.
If multiple cylinder balance DTCs are set and no problem is found, check for the following:
| • | Pinched or restricted fuel feed lines between the fuel tank and the fuel injection pump |
| • | Restricted fuel filter |
| • | Fuel waxing |
A fuel system restriction could cause the fuel correction to exceed the limits.
Test Description
The number(s) below refer to the Step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the Scan Tool Capture Info in order to record the Freeze Frame and the failure records for reference, as the data will be lost when the Clear Info function is used. Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | ||||||||
Is there an RPM drop in the suspected cylinder? | -- | |||||||||
3 | The DTC is intermittent. If no additional DTCs are stored, refer to Diagnostic Aids. If any additional DTCs were stored, refer to the applicable DTC table(s) first. Are there any additional DTCs stored? | -- | Go to the Applicable DTC Table | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||||
4 | Check for the following basic engine mechanical or fuel delivery problems in that cylinder.
Was a repair performed? | -- | ||||||||
5 | Replace the fuel injection pump. Refer to Fuel Injection Pump Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||
6 |
Does the Scan Tool indicate that this diagnostic Passed? | -- | ||||||||
7 | Use the Scan Tool in order to select Capture Info, Review Info. Are there any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to the Applicable DTC Table | System OK |
