Test Procedure
- A1 ATTEMPT TO CRANK THE ENGINE NOTE: Verify the inertia fuel shutoff (IFS) switch is set (button pushed in). Refer to the Owner's Literature for location.
- Does the engine crank?
Yes No GO to A2. REFER to the STARTING SYSTEM - GASOLINE ENGINES articles and diagnose the engine does not crank symptom. - A2 IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF NO START NOTE: The purpose of this test step is to identify intermittent no starts in order to determine the proper repair procedure.
- Does the vehicle start?
Yes No The vehicle has an intermittent no start.
refer to PINPOINT TEST Z .GO to A3. - A3 DETERMINE THE THROTTLE TYPE
- Is the vehicle equipped with electronic throttle control?
Yes No GO to A5. GO to A4. - A4 CHECK THE VREF VOLTAGE TO TP SENSOR
- Key in OFF position.
- TP Sensor connector disconnected.
- Key ON, engine OFF.
- Measure the voltage between:
( + ) TP Sensor Connector, Harness Side ( - ) TP Sensor Connector, Harness Side VREF SIGRTN - Is the voltage between 4.5 - 5.5 V?
Yes No GO to A6. refer to PINPOINT TEST C . - A5 CHECK VREF VOLTAGE TO ETBTPS SENSOR
- Key in OFF position.
- ETBTPS connector disconnected.
- Key ON, engine OFF.
- Measure the voltage between:
( + ) ETBTPS Connector, Harness Side ( - ) ETBTPS Connector, Harness Side ETCREF ETCRTN - Is the voltage between 4.5 - 5.5 V?
Yes No GO to A6. refer to PINPOINT TEST C . - A6 CHECK THE FLASH EEPROM PROGRAMMING SIGNAL (FEPS) CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO VOLTAGE IN THE HARNESS
- Key in OFF position.
- TP Sensor connector connected.
- ETBTPS connector connected.
- Key ON, engine OFF.
- Measure the voltage between:
( + ) DLC, Harness Side ( - ) Vehicle Battery FEPS - Pin 13 Negative terminal - Is the voltage less than 9 V?
Yes No GO to A7. REPAIR the short circuit. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. - A7 CHECK THE RPM IN THE PCM NOTE: Connect the scan tool to a reliable voltage source that is powered with the key in the START position (such as directly to the vehicle battery). Also verify that the vehicle battery is fully charged.NOTE: Normal engine cranking speed is between 150 RPM and 350 RPM.
- Access the PCM and monitor the RPM PID.
- Crank the engine while viewing the RPM PID.
- Is the RPM between 150 RPM - 350 RPM?
Yes No GO to A8. For base engine concerns, REFER to the ENGINE - 4.6L AND 5.4L articles - General Information and diagnose difficult starting symptom.
For all others, GO to Pinpoint test JD step 2 . - A8 CHECK FOR CKP AND CMP SYNCHRONIZATION
- Access the PCM and monitor the SYNC PID.
- Crank the engine while viewing the SYNC PID.
- Does the SYNC PID read YES?
Yes No GO to A9. GO to Pinpoint test JD step 2 . - A9 CHECK THE PCM DRIVER SIGNAL TO THE COILS NOTE: Test lamp bulb filament wattages vary widely. The intensity and duration of blinking depends on the test lamp being used.
- Connect a test lamp between B+ and each coil driver circuit at the harness connector.
- Crank the engine.
- Does the test lamp blink consistently for each coil driver (1 blink per engine revolution)?
Yes No GO to A10. For coil-on-plug (COP) ignition testing, GO to Pinpoint test JB step 2 .
For coil pack ignition testing, GO to Pinpoint test JC step 2 . - A10 CHECK THE FUEL PRESSURE WARNING: The fuel system remains pressurized when the engine is not running. To prevent injury or fire, use caution when working on the fuel system.
Refer to the fuel system WARNING information at the beginning of Pinpoint Test HC.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
NOTE: While activating the fuel pump on an electronic returnless fuel system a brief pressure spike may occur.- Key in OFF position.
- Relieve the fuel pressure. Refer to the FUEL SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION - GASOLINE AND DIESEL articles for the Fuel System Pressure Release procedure.
- Connect the fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve using the appropriate fuel pressure test hose and adaptor.
- Key ON, engine OFF.
- Enter output test mode. Refer toOUTPUT TEST MODE (OTM) .
- Activate the fuel pump to obtain maximum fuel pressure.
- Is the fuel pressure within specification (refer to the fuel pressure chart in Pinpoint Test HC)?
Yes No GO to A11. refer to PINPOINT TEST HC . - A11 CHECK THE FUEL PRESSURE LEAKDOWN
- Key ON, engine OFF.
- Enter output test mode. Refer toOUTPUT TEST MODE (OTM) .
- Activate the fuel pump to obtain maximum fuel pressure.
- Exit output test mode.
- Monitor the fuel pressure.
- Verify the fuel pressure remains within 34 kPa (5 psi) of the maximum pressure for 1 minute after turning the pump off.
- Does fuel pressure remain within 34 kPa (5 psi)?
Yes No GO to A12. refer to PINPOINT TEST HC . - A12 CHECK THE FUEL INJECTORS FOR VOLTAGE NOTE: A no start condition typically exists only if greater than half of the fuel injectors are without voltage. Check at least 2 fuel injectors, 1 on each bank on V type engines.
- Key in OFF position.
- Disconnect 2 fuel injectors.
- Key ON, engine OFF.
- Measure the VPWR voltage at each fuel injector harness connector.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes No GO to A13. REPAIR the open circuit. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. - A13 CHECK THE FUEL INJECTORS' ABILITY TO DELIVER FUEL
- Cycle the key several times to charge the fuel system.
- Disable the fuel pump.
- Monitor the fuel pressure gauge while cranking the engine for at least 5 seconds.
- Is there a pressure drop greater than 34 kPa (5 psi) while cranking the engine?
Yes No The electronic engine control (EEC) system is not the cause of the no start.
RETURN to the SYMPTOM CHARTS article, Symptom Charts for further direction.GO to A14. - A14 CHECK FOR CORRECT PCM OPERATION
- Disconnect all the PCM connectors.
- Visually inspect for:
- pushed out pins
- corrosion
- Connect all the PCM connectors and make sure they seat correctly.
- Carry out the PCM self-test and verify the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes No INSTALL a new PCM. REFER toFLASH ELECTRICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ ONLY MEMORY (EEPROM) , Programming the VID Block for a Replacement PCM. The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.