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 P0451: Fuel Tank Pressure (FTP) Sensor Performance

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

5-Volt Reference

*

--

P0120, P0122, P0450, P0453

**

--

FTP Sensor Signal

P0452

P0451

P0453

P0453**

P0451

Low Reference

--

P0451

P0110, P0113, P0115, P0118, P0120, P0123, P0220, P0223, P0450, P0453

--

--

*Engine cranks but won't start

**Internal PCM or FTP sensor damage may occur if the circuit is shorted to B+

Typical Scan Tool Data

FTP Sensor

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: The engine coolant temperature is greater than 70°C (158°F) and the ignition is ON with the engine is OFF.

Parameter Normal Range: FTP Sensor 3.5-3.8 volts

5-Volt Reference

*

5.0 volts

**

FTP Sensor 1 Signal

0.1 volts

5.0 volts

5.0 volts

Low Reference

--

5.0 volts

--

*No scan tool communication with control module

**Internal PCM or FTP sensor damage may occur if the circuit is shorted to B+

Circuit/System Description

The FTP sensor is used to detect any unexpected pressure in the EVAP system. The PCM supplies a 5-volt reference, an electrical ground, and a signal return circuit that has a 5-volt bias. The FTP sensor contains a silicon based chip that changes electrical resistance when pressure is applied. The sensor converts the positive or the negative pressure into an electrical signal and sends the signal to the PCM.

Fuel Tank Vapor Space

FTP mmHg

FTP Signal Voltage

Pressure

Positive Value

High

No Pressure

Near Zero

3.0-3.6V

Vacuum

Negative Value

Low

Conditions for Running the DTC

Condition 1

    • Intake air temperature is between 4-35°C (40-95°F).
    • Atmospheric pressure is between 70-110 kPa.
    • Battery voltage is greater than 10.5 volts.
    • The engine is running.
    • DTC P0451 runs once per drive cycle when the above conditions have been met.

Condition 2

    • Intake air temperature is between 4-35°C (40-95°F).
    • Atmospheric pressure is between 70-110 kPa.
    • Battery voltage is greater than 10.5 volts.
    • The ignition has been OFF continuously for greater than 5 hours.
    • DTC P0451 runs once per drive cycle when the above conditions have been met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

Condition 1

The FTP sensor output voltage rapidly shifts from inside to outside a specified range 10 times within 10 seconds.

Condition 2

The FTP sensor signal appears fixed during the FTP sensor test portion of the engine OFF EVAP diagnostic.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTC P0451 is a Type B DTC.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTC P0451 is a Type B DTC.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Evaporative Emission Control System Description

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. Ignition OFF, remove the fuel tank filler cap.
  2. Important: The FTP sensor reading will vary slightly with atmospheric pressure. The values indicated are for pressures at sea level.

  3. Ignition ON, observe that the scan tool FTP sensor parameter is between 3.5-3.8 volts.
  4. 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, remove the fuel tank filler cap.
  2. Important: The FTP sensor reading will vary slightly with atmospheric pressure. The values indicated are for pressures at sea level.

  3. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool FTP sensor parameter is between 3.5-3.8 volts.
  4. If greater than the specified range, disconnect the fuel tank ORVR vent line that connects to the evaporative emission (EVAP) canister. If the scan tool FTP sensor parameter is still greater than 3.5-3.8 volts, repair the trapped vapor pressure in the fuel tank.
    If less than the specified range, test for high resistance in the FTP sensor signal circuit terminal 3.
  5. If all circuits test normal, replace the FTP sensor located in the EVAP vacuum leak pump assembly.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Evaporative Emission System Vacuum Leak Pump Replacement
    •  Control Module References for control module replacement, setup, and programming