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Holden Engine Troubleshooter. Reference Instruction - part 1

Holden Engine
Troubleshooter Reference Instruction

Use in conjunction with the applicable Scanner User’s Reference Instruction

and Diagnostic Safety Instruction.

Version 9.2 Software

February 2009

Version 9.2

February 2009

BEFORE OPERATING THIS UNIT,

PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL

AND ANY APPLICABLE SCANNER

AND SAFETY MANUALS.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this instruction and software is

accurate. The right is reserved to change any part at any time without prior notice.

No responsibility is taken for any technical or printing errors that might

occur in this instruction or software.

Holden Engine
Troubleshooter Reference Instruction

Holden

Introduction

About the Fast-Track Troubleshooter System ..................................2

Using Troubleshooter Effectively .....................................................3

Troubleshooting Trouble Codes .......................................................3

General Circuit Testing Information ..................................................4

Holden Reference Bulletins Index ....................................................7

PAGE 1

CAUTION

Always read Scanner and Safety Instructions first.

Ensure correct ID on Scanner and connections correct for vehicle.

Always check for fault codes first – checking KOEO, KOER and memory codes in
Self Tests.

PAGE 2

About the Fast-Track Troubleshooter System

Snap-on’s Fast-Track Troubleshooter is a unique time saving diagnosis tool which compliments the Snap-
on Scanner. They are used in unison to diagnose and repair EFI related problems. The Troubleshooter
incorporates known faults & repair tips, component testing & technical assistance to reduce the down time
of diagnosis, therfore saving you time and money. This product is researched and made in Australia for
Australian Vehicles. Information is researched from throughout Australia from a large network of technical
sources with vast knowledge of product.

The Reference Instruction supplied in this kit contains additional information to support many Troubleshooter
tips when special instructions, specifications, pinouts and wiring diagrams are needed as indicated by the
Scanner.

IMPORTANT: The Fast-Track Troubleshooter system contains information on the most common code
problems and driveability complaints on the above vehicles. It does not, however, contain information for
every possible code and every possible problem that could occur in all vehicles.

PAGE 3

Using

Troubleshooter Effectively

The checks in each Troubleshooter tip begin with
the most likely cause of a problem or with the
tests that should be made first. The checks then
progress through other possible causes and tests.
All checks in a tip are common causes of a problem
or important basic tests, and the most important
are listed first. For the most effective use of the
Troubleshooter tips, follow the checks in the order
in which they are given.

Many checks in the Troubleshooter tips with refer
you to references in this Troubleshooter Instruction.
Consult the references as directed by the tips on
the Troubleshooter. Trying to use the references
by themselves may cause you to miss important
information or to perform some test or adjustment
out of sequence.

CAUTION

During procedures in the Troubleshooter the
vehicle’s ignition switch will be required to be
switched OFF (eg: for disconnecting connectors
etc). This will cause the communication between
the Scanner and vehicle to drop out. Sometimes
the Scanner will read ‘No Communication’ or drop
completely out and sometimes it will still show
Troubleshooter information. Note if Troubleshooter
information remains on screen, any data
parameters shown will be those prior to switching
ignition off and will not change due to no ignition
power. Ensure ignition is on and vehicle’s PCM
is communicating whenever checking any data
parameters.

Begin with the basics

The Fast-Track Troubleshooter tips deal with
automatic transmission electronic systems and
controls. Many tips also contain directions to check
fuel, ignition, and other electrical components.
As a general rule, basic fuel system, ignition, and
electrical tests, as well as a thorough inspection,
should be made before performing pinpoint tests
on electronic components.

Always ensure that the following systems and
components are in proper operating condition:

•  Battery condition
•  Electrical connectors and wiring harnesses
•  Vacuum lines and connectors
•  General engine mechanical condition
•  Brakes and differential assemblies

Troubleshooting Trouble Codes

Trouble codes should be diagnosed and serviced
in a basic order: First, hard codes for currently
present problems; followed by soft, or memory,
codes for intermittent problems.

GM vehicles transmit codes in numerical order
from the lowest to the highest. This is basically the
order in which they should be serviced, with current
codes being diagnosed before history codes.
Code 51 and some other 50-series codes are the
exceptions to this general rule. Code 51 for many
GM vehicles indicates a PROM fault and should be
serviced before other codes. Other 50-series codes
that relate to PROM or PCM problems also should
be diagnosed before other codes.

To distinguish between a current (hard) code and
an intermittent (soft) code on most GM vehicles,
clear the codes from PCM memory. Then drive the
vehicle and watch for the code to reappear. If it
reappears immediately or soon, the code usually
indicates a hard fault. If the code does not reappear
quickly, it was probably a soft code, indicating an
intermittent problem. Some late-model GM cars
also have a code history section which shows up
to the last four fault codes logged with a history of
when they occurred. Refer to ‘Reading, using and
clearing codes’ in the Troubleshooter Technical
Assistance General Information section.

PAGE 4

General Reference

General circuit testing (voltage drop testing)

In most cases, measuring the voltage at various points in a circuit will tell you more about

the circuit integrity than measuring the circuit resistance (ohms). A good circuit consists of

the supply voltage, a load, and a ground. The load should be activated when current passes

through it. A load is any electrical component, such as a lamp, a motor, a solenoid, or a relay.

Most electrical circuits also include a fuse on the supply side to protect the load in the event

of a short or power surge. Typically, mechanically-switched circuits, such as headlamps and

wiper motors, have a switch on the supply side of the load. Electronically-switched circuits

such as a TCC solenoid or an EGR solenoid, are usually ground-side switched. Remember,

many switches actually energize a relay which, in turn, activates a circuit.

To determine if a circuit is good, check the supply voltage to the load, and check the ground.

Figure 1 shows you how to test the supply voltage. Connect the positive (+) DVOM lead

to pin A of the load, and the negative (-) DVOM lead to chassis ground. With the switch

closed, the DVOM indicates a good supply voltage (13.00 volts) at pin A of the load. This

typically indicates that the supply side of the circuit is good. It also indicates that the fuse

is not blown. If the fuse was blown, the DVOM would indicate zero volts on the supply side
of the circuit.

Figure 2 on the next page shows you how to test the ground side of the circuit. The DVOM

indicates a good ground (0.00 volts) at pin B of the load, with the switch closed. This typically

indicates that the ground side of the circuit is good. (Most DVOM readings will fluctuate at

zero volts; a DVOM reading of 0.03 is quite common. A ground side reading of 0.10 is an

accepted reading.)

Usually, the fastest and easiest way to check a circuit is to start at the load. In general, there

are only six basic types of electrical problems that can affect automotive electrical circuits:

• No supply voltage

• An open ground

• A voltage drop on the supply voltage side

• A shorted lead

• A voltage drop on the ground side

• An open load

Figure 1. Good supply voltage.

BATTERY VOLTAGE

(V Batt)

SWITCH

MOTOR

(LOAD)

GROUND

FUSE HOLDER

PAGE 5

Voltage Drop Across The Load

In some cases it may be preferable to actually measure the voltage directly across a load.

This may be because you suspect a poor connection, corroded terminals, or a specific open

or shorted component, or simply because a known good ground is not near the portion of

the circuit you are testing. Resistance can be high in long thin wires, in poor connections,

and in corroded terminals. Therefore, wires, poor connections, and corroded terminals can

sometimes “load” a circuit.

To measure the voltage drop across a load, connect the positive (+) DVOM lead to the sup-

ply side of the load, and the negative (-) DVOM lead to the ground side of the load, figure

3. In a normally operating circuit, most of the supplied voltage is dropped across the load.

If there are two or more loads in a circuit, the voltage drop is divided in proportion to the

resistance of each load. That is, the voltage drop across each component should add up
to the total supply voltage.

Figure 3. Voltage drop across the load.

Figure 2. Good ground.

BATTERY VOLTAGE

(V Batt)

SWITCH

GROUND

MOTOR

(LOAD)

GROUND

MOTOR

(LOAD)

BATTERY VOLTAGE

(V Batt)

SWITCH

FUSE HOLDER

Note: Most DVOM readings will fluctuate at zero-volts; a
DVOM reading of 0.03 is quite common. A ground side
reading of 0.10 is generally acceptable.

Diagnosing Circuit Problems

Table 1 describes the symptoms, probable causes, and likely solutions for a circuit that is
switched ON, but not operating properly. For a circuit that is switched OFF, but is still run-
ning, use a DVOM to probe between the load and the switch. Always start as close to the
switch as possible. After isolating the problem to a specific segment of the circuit, unhook
the circuit at that point to confirm that the circuit stops running. Always test the entire circuit
(supply side and ground side) after fixing a problem.

Table 1. Circuit switched ON, but not operating properly. (All DVOM readings are referenced to battery
ground, or a good chassis ground, separate from the circuit being tested.)

Supply Side Ground Side

Probable Cause

Likely Solution

V batt

0.00-volts

Bad device or connections Check for loose or corroded connector;

to device

if OK, replace component. Always test the

entire circuit (supply side and ground side)

after fixing a problem.

V batt

Open ground circuit

Use DVOM to probe circuit between ground

side of component and ground source.

Open circuit is located between adjacent

test points having different readings.

Always test the entire circuit (supply side

and ground side) after fixing a problem.

0.00-volts

Open supply circuit

Use DVOM to backprobe circuit between

supply side of circuit and the supply source.

Open circuit is located between adjacent

test points having different readings. If fuse

is open, check for a short to ground in

section of circuit between load side of fuse

and supply side of load. Always test the

entire circuit (supply side and ground side)

after fixing a problem.

V batt

Greater than

High resistance ground

Use DVOM to probe circuit between ground

0.00-volts,

connection

side of component and ground source.

less than

High resistance circuit is located between

V batt

adjacent test points having different

readings. Always test the entire circuit

(supply side and ground side) after fixing

a problem.

Less than

0.00-volts

High resistance power

Use DVOM to backprobe circuit between

V batt,

connection

supply side of circuit and supply source.

greater than

High resistance circuit is located between

0.00-volts

adjacent test points having different

readings. Always test the entire circuit

(supply side and ground side) after fixing

a problem.

Note: Most DVOM readings will fluctuate at zero-volts; a DVOM reading of 0.03 is quite common. A
ground side circuit reading of 0.10 volts is acceptable.

PAGE 6

PAGE 7

Holden Reference Bulletins

Ref. No. Page

Subject

H001

VN Model (to Oct 1989) V6 wiring diagram and connectors

H002

VN Model (from Oct 1989) & VP Model V6 wiring diagram and connectors

H003

VN Model (to Oct 1989) V8 wiring diagram and connectors

H004

VN Model (from Oct 1989) & VP Model V8 wiring diagram and connectors

H005

VR Instruction Model V6 wiring diagram and connectors

H006

VR Automatic Model V6 wiring diagram and connectors

H007

VR & VS Instruction Model V8 wiring diagram and connectors

H008

VR & VS Automatic Model V8 wiring diagram and connectors

H009

VS Model V6 wiring diagram and connectors

H010

VT Model V6 wiring diagram and connectors

H011

VT Model V8 wiring diagram and connectors

H012

VX Model V6 connector diagram

H013

VY Model V6 connector diagram

H014

V6 Direct Fire Injection (DFI) Power Balance Testing

H015

Fuel System Diagnosis Using Fuel Pump Current

H016

V6 Crankshaft Sensor Testing

H017

Integrator and Block Learn Functions

H018

Short Term and Long Term Fuel Trim Functions

H019

3.8 Litre V6 Ignition Test

H020

Intake Air and Manifold Air Temperature Sensor Resistance Values

H021

Knock Sensor Test

H022

Quad Driver Circuit Test

H023

5.0 Litre V8 Coil Resistance Check

H024

3.8 Litre V6 Coil Resistance Check

H025

VN (pre Oct 89) 5.0 Litre V8 Ignition Test

H026

VN (post Oct 89) to VS 5.0 Litre V8 Ignition Test

H027

VT 5.0 Litre V8 Ignition Test

H028

VR Model V6 Instruction Transmission EST Check

H029

VR Model V6 Automatic Transmission EST Check

H030

VS & VT Model V6 EST Check

H031

VN, VP V8 Model & VR, VS (instruction only) V8 Model EST Check

H032

VR & VS V8 (auto only) Model EST Check

H033

VT 5.0 Litre V8 Model EST Check

H034

VX & VY V6 Model EST Check

H035

Coolant Temperature Sensor Resistance Check

PLEASE NOTE WIRING DIAGRAM WIRE COLOURS ARE GIVEN
AT THE PCM AND MAY NOT ALWAYS BE CORRECT DUE TO
MANUFACTURING CHANGES IN PRODUCTION. ALSO WIRE
COLOURS AT COMPONENTS AND SENSORS MAY NOT BE THE
SAME AS AT THE PCM.

ALL CONNECTORS ARE VIEWED LOOKING INTO FACE OF
CONNECTION.

PAGE 8