GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 2001 🢒 Alero 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Engine Cranks But Does Not Run

Circuit Description

This engine is equipped with a distributorless ignition system called the electronic ignition (EI) system. The primary circuit of the EI system consists of 2 separate ignition coils, an electronic ignition control module (ICM) and a crankshaft position (CKP) sensor as well as the related connecting wires and the ignition control (IC) portion of the powertrain control module (PCM). Each secondary circuit consists of the secondary winding of the coil, spark plug wires, and the spark plugs.

Important: The camshaft position (CMP) sensor is only used for a misfire detection and is not part of the ignition system.

Diagnostic Aids

Test/Inspect for the following conditions:

    • Collapsed air intake duct.
    • Restricted air filter element. Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement .
        .
    • A TP sensor that reads too high or skewed may cause an incorrect fueling condition.
    • A TP sensor binding or sticking in wide open position.
    • A TP sensor shorted or open.
    • Fuel contamination
    • Out of fuel
    • Restricted exhaust system. Refer to Restricted Exhaust in Engine Exhaust.
    • Low compression. Refer to Engine Compression Test in Engine Mechanical.
    • A cold engine that has not been started should display ECT and IAT temperatures that are relatively close to each other.
    • A skewed MAP sensor. The MAP sensor value should change when cranking the engine. Compare any questionable barometer readings with that of a known good vehicle.
    • Check for proper Idle Air Control (IAC) operation. Refer to Idle Air Control (IAC) System Diagnosis .

Check for intermittent conditions. Refer to Intermittent Conditions .

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. While cranking the engine, the CKP activity (CKP reference signal) should increment to 255, then rollover to 0.

    2.

  2. This step tests for a short to voltage on the injector driver circuits.

    3.

  3. This step tests the ability of the PCM to provide a ground path for each injector.

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
  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the DTC information.

Does the scan tool display DTCs P0336, P0601, DTC P0602, P1621, P1626, P1630, P1631, or P1632.

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Step 3

3

Use the scan tool in order to observe the CKP active counter while cranking the engine.

Does the CKP active counter increment while cranking the engine?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis

4
  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

    2. Important: Ensure the fuses below are not open, before proceeding with this test.

  2. Probe both sides of the following fuses with a test lamp to ground:
    3. • PCM BATT
    • PCM/IGN
    • PCM ACC
    • IGN MOD
    • IPC/BFC ACC

Does the test lamp illuminate on both sides of all the fuses?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Testing for Short to Ground in Wiring Systems

5

Use the scan tool in order to command the fuel pump ON.

Does the fuel pump run?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Fuel Pump Electrical Circuit Diagnosis

6
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Install a fuel gauge. Refer to Fuel Pressure Gage Installation and Removal .
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Does the fuel pressure read within the specified value?

364-405 kPa (53-59 psi)

Go to Step 7

Go to Fuel System Diagnosis

7
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the fuel pump relay.
  3. Remove the ignition coil/ignition control module (ICM) assembly.

    4. Important:: Not grounding the ICM assembly, may cause erratic spark.

  4. Install a jumper wire from the ICM assembly to ground.
  5. Install the J 36012-A spark plug jumper wire kit.
  6. Install a J 26792 spark tester on #1 spark plug jumper wire.
  7. Ground #4 (companion to #1) spark plug jumper wire.
  8. Crank the engine with the remaining spark plug jumper wires connected.
  9. Repeat the above steps by installing the spark tester on #4 and grounding #1. Do the same for #2 and #3 spark plugs. Making sure the companion wire is grounded.

Does the spark tester spark on all cylinders?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Electronic Ignition (EI) System Diagnosis

8

  1. Disconnect a fuel injector harness connector.
  2. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the fuel injector driver circuit and a good ground.
  4. Repeat test for each injector driver circuit.

Did the test lamp illuminate on any of the fuel injector driver circuits?

 

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Probe a fuel injector driver circuit of a fuel injector with a test lamp that is connected to battery voltage.
  2. Crank the engine.
  3. Repeat test for each injector driver circuit.

Did the test lamp blink on all fuel injector driver circuits while cranking the engine?

 

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

10

Repair the short voltage in the fuel injector driver circuit.

Did you complete the repair?

 

Go to Step 14

--

11

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the PCM. Refer to 62112 in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

 

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 12

12

Replace the PCM. Refer to 18703.

Did you complete the replacement?

 

Go to Step 14

--

13
  1. Turn OFF the Ignition.
  2. Inspect for malfunctioning spark plugs. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Diagnostic Aids

14

Attempt to start the engine.

Does the engine start and continue to run?

--

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

Go to Step 2