Circuit Description
The powertrain control module (PCM) detects engine misfire by detecting
variations in crankshaft deceleration between firing strokes. For accurate
detection of engine misfire, the PCM must distinguish between
crankshaft deceleration caused by actual misfire and deceleration
caused by rough road conditions. The antilock brake system (ABS)
can detect if the vehicle is on a rough road based on wheel
acceleration or deceleration data supplied by the wheel speed
sensors. If the ABS detects rough road above a predetermined
threshold, this information is sent to the PCM via serial
data. The PCM can then take the rough road into account when
calculating misfire. Even if the ABS is malfunctioning and
cannot detect rough roads, the misfire diagnostic will continue
to run. However, if a misfire diagnostic trouble code (DTC) sets,
this additional DTC also sets indicating that rough road data
was not available during the misfire calculation due to
a serial data malfunction.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | The vehicle speed is above 16 km/h (10 mph). |
| • | The engine speed is below 3,200 RPM. |
| • | The engine load is less than 60 percent. |
| • | An engine misfire is detected and DTC P0300 is set. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
| • | A serial data malfunction exists preventing the PCM from receiving
rough road detection data. |
| • | The above conditions are met for 20 seconds. |
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The control module stores the DTC information into memory when
the diagnostic runs and fails. |
| • | The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will not illuminate. |
| • | The control module records the operating conditions at the time
the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Failure
Records. |
| • | The driver information center, if equipped, may display a message. |
Conditions for Clearing the DTC
| • | A current DTC Last Test Failed clears when the diagnostic runs
and passes. |
| • | A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles,
if no failures are reported by this or any other non-emission related diagnostic. |
| • | Clear the DTC with a scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
Important: Remove any debris from the PCM connector surfaces before servicing the
PCM. Inspect the PCM connector gaskets when diagnosing or replacing
the PCM. Ensure that the gaskets are installed correctly. The
gaskets prevent water intrusion into the PCM.
Using the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data may aid in locating an
intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information
included in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data can
help determine how many miles since the DTC set. The Failure
Counter and Pass Counter can also help determine how many
ignition cycles the diagnostic reported a pass or a fail.
Operate the vehicle within the same Freeze Frame conditions,
such as RPM, load, vehicle speed, temperature etc., that you
observed. This will isolate when the DTC failed. For an
intermittent condition, refer to
Symptoms - Engine Controls
.
Test Description
The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.
-
Service the
ABS before diagnosing for a misfire, because an actual engine misfire
may or may not exist. The following 2 examples illustrate how
this DTC can be set with or without an actual engine misfire:
| • | There was an actual engine misfire during an ABS malfunction. |
| • | The vehicle operator drove on a rough road, the ABS could not
detect this due to a malfunction, and the PCM interpreted the variations
in crankshaft speed caused by the rough road as a misfire. |
