Visual/Physical Check

Several of the symptom procedures call for a careful Visual/physical check. This check can lead to correcting a problem without further checks and can save valuable time. This check includes the following items:

• PCM grounds for being clean, tight, and in the proper location. Refer to Master Electrical Component List and Power and Grounding Component Views in Wiring Systems.
• Vacuum hoses for splits, kinks, proper routing, and connections. Refer to the Vehicle Emission Control Information label. Check thoroughly for any type of leak or restriction. Refer to Emission Hose Routing Diagram .
• Intake air system for the following conditions:
  • Dirty or damaged air cleaner element or housing
  • Damaged or collapsed intake air ducts.
  • Poor intake air system connections
• Air leaks at the throttle body and/or intake manifold.
• Throttle body contaminants or deposits.
• Accelerator cable binding or damage.
• Ignition system wiring for incorrect routing and/or poor connections.
• System wiring for routing near high frequency devices (electromagnetic interference (EMI) condition).
• Engine cooling system leaks. Refer to Loss of Coolant in Engine Cooling.

The following Symptom tables are located in this section:

• Hard Start 
• Surges/Chuggles 
• Lack of Power, Sluggishness, or Sponginess 
• Detonation/Spark Knock 
• Hesitation, Sag, Stumble 
• Cuts Out, Misses 
• Poor Fuel Economy 
• Poor Fuel Fill Quality 
• Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling 
• Dieseling, Run-On 
• Backfire 
• Restricted Exhaust in Engine Exhaust