Opel Frontera UE. Manual - part 921

6E2–70

6VD1 3.2L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Engine Cranks But Will Not Run

D06RX145

060RY00303

6E2–71

6VD1 3.2L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Engine Cranks But Will Not Run

Circuit Description

The electronic Ignition system uses a coil-at-plug method
of spark distribution.  In this type of ignition system, the
powertrain control module (PCM) triggers the correct
driver inside the ignition coil, which then triggers the
correct ignition coil based on the 58X signal received from
the crankshaft position sensor (CKP).  The spark plug
connected to the coil fires when the ignition coil opens the
ground circuit for the coil’s primary circuit.
During crank, the PCM monitors the CKP 58X signal.  The
CKP signal is used to determine which cylinder will fire
first.  After the CKP 58X signal has been processed by the
PCM, it will command all six injectors to allow a priming
shot of fuel for all the cylinders.  After the priming, the
injectors are left “OFF” during the next six 58X reference
pulses from the CKP.  This allows each cylinder a chance
to use the fuel from the priming shot.  During this waiting
period, a camshaft position (CMP) signal pulse will have
been received by the PCM.  The CMP signal allows the
PCM to operate the injectors sequentially based on
camshaft position.  If the camshaft position signal is not
present at start-up, the PCM will begin sequential fuel
delivery with a 1-in-6 chance that fuel delivery is correct.
The engine will run without a CMP signal, but will set a
DTC code.

Diagnostic Aids

An intermittent problem may be caused by a poor
connection, rubbed-through wire insulation or a wire
broken inside the insulation.  Check for the following
items:

D

Poor connection or damaged harness – Inspect the
PCM harness and connectors for improper mating,
broken locks, improperly formed or damaged
terminals, poor terminal-to-wore connection, and
damaged harness.

D

Faulty engine coolant temperature sensor – Using a
Tech 2, compare engine coolant temperature with
intake air temperature on a completely cool engine.
Engine coolant temperature should be within 10

°

C of

intake air temperature.  If not, replace the ECT
sensor.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the
Diagnostic Chart.
5. An obvious cause of low fuel pressure would be an

empty fuel tank.

6. The engine will easily start and run if a few injectors

are disabled.  It is not necessary to test all injectors
at this time since this step is only a test to verify that
all of the injectors have not been disabled by fuel
contamination.

7. A blinking test light verifies that the PCM is

monitoring the 58X crankshaft reference signal and
is capable of activating the injectors.  If there is an
open or shorted driver circuit, DTCs 201-206 and a
misfire DTC 301-306 should be set.

By using a spark tester, each ignition coil’s ability to
produce 25,000 volts is verified.
If there is an open or shorted driver circuit, DTCs
201-206 should be set.  All six injector driver circuits
can be checked at one time without removing the
intake manifold if a 5–8840–2619–0 test light is
available.  This is the alternative procedure:

D

With the ignition “OFF,” disconnect the gray
connector located at the rear of the air filter, attached
to a bracket on the purge canister.

D

Connect test light 5-8840-2636-0 to the connector.
Do any of the light constantly illuminate or fail to blink
when the engine is cranked?  If so, repair the short or
open circuit, or replace the PCM if indicated.

This procedure only tests the driver circuit as far as the
test connection, so step 25 is added to test the circuit all
the way to the injector.

6E2–72

6VD1 3.2L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Engine Cranks But Will Not Run

 

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the “On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check”
performed?

—

Go to 

Step 2

Go to 

OBD

System

Check

2

Check the 15 A ignition coil fuse, the 15 A engine
device fuse, and the 15A PCM fuse.

Was a fuse blown?

—

Go to 

Step 3

Go to 

Step 4

3

Check for a short to ground and replace the fuse.

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

4

1. Ignition “OFF,” install a fuel pressure gauge at the

test fitting on the fuel supply line in the engine
compartment.  (Use a shop cloth to absorb any fuel
leakage while making the connection.)

2. Ignition “ON,” observe the fuel pressure.

Is the fuel pressure within the specified values, and
does it hold steady?

285-375 kPa

(43-55 psi)

Go to 

Step 6

Go to 

Step 5

5

Is any fuel pressure indicated?

—

Go to 

Fuel

System

Electrical Test

Go to 

Fuel

System

Diagnosis

6

Install an injector test light at the #2 cylinder injector
harness connector (or install 5-8840-2636-0 test light
to the the injector test connector).

Does the light blink when the engine is cranked?

—

Go to 

Step 7

Go to 

Step 23

7

Install an injector test light at the #2 cylinder injector
harness connector.

Does the light blink when the engine is cranked?

—

Go to 

Step 14

Go to 

Step 18

8

1. Ignition “ON.”
2. While the coil connectors are disconnected, touch

each coil connector’s ignition feed terminal with a
grounded test light (the ignition feed wire is black
with orange tracer).

Did the test light illuminate?

—

Go to 

Step 10

Go to 

Step 9

9

Repair the open ignition feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

10

While the coil connectors are disconnected, touch
each connector’s secondary ground terminal with a
test light to B+.  (The ground wires are black.)

Did the test light illuminate at each coil connector?

—

Go to 

Step 12

Go to 

Step 11

11

Repair the open secondary ground circuit.

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

12

1. Test the fuel for contamination.
2. If a problem is found, clean the fuel system and

correct the contaminated fuel condition as
necessary.  Replace the fuel filter and replace any
injectors that are not delivering fuel (see Injector
Balance Test).

Was a problem found?

—

Verify repair

Go to 

Step 13

6E2–73

6VD1 3.2L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

Engine Cranks But Will Not Run

  (Cont'd)

Step

No

Yes

Value(s)

Action

13

1. Remove any ignition coil and install a spark tester at

the spark plug end of the coil.

2. Observe the tester while the engine is cranking.

Was a crisp, blue spark observed?  Only one or two
sparks followed by no result is considered the same as
“No Spark.”

—

Go to 

Step 15

Go to 

Step 14

14

Replace the ignition coil, and return to Step 13 to test
the remaining coils.

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

—

15

Repeat Step 13 for each coil.  Remove only one coil at a
time, and reinstall each coil on its spark plug after
testing, but do not refasten coils with screws at this
time.

After all coils have passed the spark test, does the
engine start?

—

Refasten all

coils with

their screws

Go to 

Step 16

16

1. Remove the spark plugs from all cylinders.
2. Visually inspect the spark plug electrodes.
3. Replace any spark plugs with loose or missing

electrodes or cracked insulators.

Did your inspection reveal any spark plugs exhibiting
excessive fouling?

—

Correct the

fouling

condition

Go to 

Step 17

17

Refer to 

Engine Mechanical Diagnosis to diagnose the

following conditions:

D

Faulty or incorrect camshaft drive belts

D

Leaking or sticky valves or rings

D

Excessive valve deposits

D

Weak valve springs

D

Incorrect valve timing

D

Leaking head gasket

Is the action complete?

—

Verify repair

Go to 

Step 19

18

Observe the “Engine Speed” data display on the scan
tool while cranking the engine.

Is the engine RPM indicated?  (If the scan tool is
normally powered from the cigarette lighter socket, and
if the scan tool display goes blank while cranking the
engine, it will be necessary to power the scan tool
directly from the vehicle battery.)

—

Go to 

Step 19

Go to 

Step 28

19

1. Disconnect the 7-pin gray connector at the rear of

the air filter beneath the point where the air duct
attaches to the MAF sensor.

2. Ignition “ON.”
3. Using a test light connected to ground, probe the

ignition terminal at the PCM (female) side of the
7-pin connector.

Is the test light “ON?”

—

Go to 

Step 20

Go to 

Step 26