Opel Frontera UBS. Manual - part 360

6E–346

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

D

Crankshaft position (58X reference).

D

Camshaft position (CMP) sensor.

D

Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.

D

Throttle position (TP) sensor.

D

Knock signal (knock sensor).

D

Park/Neutral position (PRNDL input).

D

Vehicle speed (vehicle speed sensor).

D

PCM and ignition system supply voltage.

D

The crankshaft positron (CKP) sensor sends the
PCM a 58X signal related to the exact position of the
crankshaft.

TS22909

D

The camshaft position (CMP) sensor sends a signal
related to the position of the camshaft.

TS22910

D

The knock sensor tells the PCM if there is any
problem with pre-ignition or detonation.  This
information allows the PCM to retard timing, if
necessary.

TS24037

Based on these sensor signals and engine load
information,  the PCM sends 5V to each ignition coil.

060RW015

The PCM applies 5V signal voltage to the ignition coil
requiring ignition.  This signal sets on the power transistor
of the ignition coil to establish a grounding circuit for the
primary coil, applying battery voltage to the primary coil.
At the ignition timing, the PCM stops sending the 5V
signal voltage.  Under this condition the power transistor
of the ignition coil is set off to cut the battery voltage to the
primary coil, thereby causing a magnetic field generated
in the primary coil to collapse.  On this moment a line of
magnetic force flows to the secondary coil, and when this
magnetic line crosses the coil, high voltage induced by

6E–347

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

the secondary ignition circuit to flow through the spark
plug to the ground.

TS24047

Ignition Control PCM Output

The PCM provides a zero volt (actually about 100 mV to
200 mV) or a 5-volt output signal to the ignition control (IC)
module.  Each spark plug has its own primary and
secondary coil module (”coil-at-plug”) located at the spark
plug itself.  When the ignition coil receives the 5-volt signal
from the PCM, it provides a ground path for the B+ supply
to the primary side of the coil-at -plug module.  This
energizes the primary coil and creates a magnetic field in
the coil-at-plug module.  When the PCM shuts off the
5-volt signal to the ignition control module, the ground
path for the primary coil is broken.  The magnetic field
collapses and induces a high voltage secondary impulse
which fires the spark plug and ignites the air/fuel mixture.
The circuit between the PCM and the ignition coil is
monitored for open circuits, shorts to voltage, and shorts
to ground.  If the PCM detects one of these events, it will
set one of the following DTCs:

D

P0351:  Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #1

D

P0352:  Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #2

D

P0353:  Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #3

D

P0354:  Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #4

D

P0355:  Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #5

D

P0356:  Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #6

Knock Sensor (KS) PCM Input

The knock sensor (KS) system is comprised of a knock
sensor and the PCM.  The PCM monitors the KS signals
to determine when engine detonation occurs.  When a
knock sensor detects detonation, the PCM retards the
spark timing to reduce detonation.  Timing may also be
retarded because of excessive mechanical engine or
transmission noise.

Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

The PCM is responsible for maintaining proper spark and
fuel injection timing for all driving conditions.  To provide

optimum driveability and emissions, the PCM monitors
the input signals from the following components in order
to calculate spark timing:

D

Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.

D

Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor.

D

Mass air flow (MAF) sensor.

D

PRNDL input from transmission range switch.

D

Throttle position (TP) sensor.

D

Vehicle speed sensor (VSS) .

D

Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor.

Spark Plug

Although worn or dirty spark plugs may give satisfactory
operation at idling speed, they frequency fail at higher
engine speeds.  Faulty spark plugs may cause poor fuel
economy, power loss, loss of speed, hard starting and
generally poor engine performance.  Follow the
scheduled maintenance service recommendations to
ensure satisfactory spark plug performance.  Refer to
Maintenance and Lubrication.
Normal spark plug operation will result in brown to
grayish-tan deposits appearing on the insulator portion of
the spark plug.  A small amount of red-brown, yellow, and
white powdery material may also be present on the
insulator tip around the center electrode.  These deposits
are normal combustion by-products of fuels and
lubricating oils with additives.  Some electrode wear will
also occur.  Engines which are not running properly are
often referred to as “misfiring.”  This means the ignition
spark is not igniting the air/fuel mixture at the proper time.
While other ignition and fuel system causes must also be
considered, possible causes include ignition system
conditions which allow the spark voltage to reach ground
in some other manner than by jumping across the air gap
at the tip of the spark plug, leaving the air/fuel mixture
unburned. Misfiring may also occur when the tip of the
spark plug becomes overheated and ignites the mixture
before the spark jumps. This is referred to as
“pre-ignition.”
Spark plugs may also misfire due to fouling, excessive
gap, or a cracked or broken insulator.  If misfiring occurs
before the recommended replacement interval, locate
and correct the cause.
Carbon fouling of the spark plug is indicated by dry, black
carbon (soot) deposits on the portion of the spark plug in
the cylinder.   Excessive idling and slow speeds under
light engine loads can keep the spark plug temperatures
so low that these deposits are not burned off. Very rich
fuel mixtures or poor ignition system output may also be
the cause.  Refer to DTC P0172.
Oil fouling of the spark plug is indicated by wet oily
deposits on the portion of the spark plug in the cylinder,
usually with little electrode wear.  This may be caused by
oil during break-in of new or newly overhauled engines.
Deposit fouling of the spark plug occurs when the normal
red-brown, yellow or white deposits of combustion by
products become sufficient to cause misfiring.  In some
cases, these deposits may melt and form a shiny glaze on
the insulator around the center electrode.  If the fouling is
found in only one or two cylinders, valve stem clearances
or intake valve seals may be allowing excess lubricating

6E–348

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

oil to enter the cylinder, particularly if the deposits are
heavier on the side of the spark plug facing the intake
valve.

TS23995

Excessive gap means that the air space between the
center and the side electrodes at the bottom of the spark
plug is too wide for consistent firing.  This may be due to
improper gap adjustment or to excessive wear of the
electrode during use.  A check of the gap size and
comparison to the gap specified for the vehicle in
Maintenance and Lubrication will tell if the gap is too wide.
A spark plug gap that is too small may cause an unstable
idle condition.  Excessive gap wear  can be an indication
of continuous operation at high speeds or with engine
loads, causing the spark to run too hot.  Another possible
cause is an excessively lean fuel mixture.

TS23992

Low or high spark plug installation torque or improper
seating can result in the spark plug running too hot and
can cause excessive center electrode wear.  The plug
and the cylinder head seats must be in good contact for
proper heat transfer and spark plug cooling.  Dirty or
damaged threads in the head or on the spark plug can

keep it from seating even though the proper torque is
applied.  Once spark plugs are properly seated, tighten
them to the torque shown in the Specifications Table.  Low
torque may result in poor contact of the seats due to a
loose spark plug.  Overtightening may cause the spark
plug shell to be stretched and will result in poor contact
between the seats.  In extreme cases,  exhaust blow-by
and damage beyond simple gap wear may occur.
Cracked or broken insulators may be the result of
improper installation, damage during spark plug
re-gapping, or heat shock to the insulator material.  Upper
insulators can be broken when a poorly fitting tool is used
during installation or removal, when the spark plug is hit
from the outside, or is dropped on a hard surface. Cracks
in the upper insulator may be inside the shell and not
visible. Also, the breakage may not cause problems until
oil or moisture penetrates the crack later.

TS23994

A broken or cracked lower insulator tip (around the center
electrode) may result from damage during re-gapping or
from “heat shock” (spark plug suddenly operating too
hot).

TS23993

6E–349

ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

D

Damage during re-gapping can happen if the gapping
tool is pushed against the center electrode or the
insulator around it, causing the insulator to crack.
When re-gapping a spark plug, make the adjustment
by bending only the ground side terminal, keeping the
tool clear of other parts.

D

”Heat shock” breakage in the lower insulator tip
generally occurs during several engine operating
conditions (high speeds or heavy loading) and may be
caused by over-advanced timing or low grade fuels.
Heat shock refers to a rapid increase in the tip
temperature that causes the insulator material to
crack.

Spark plugs with less than the recommended amount of
service can sometimes be cleaned and re-gapped , then
returned to service.  However, if there is any doubt about
the serviceability of a spark plug, replace it.  Spark plugs
with cracked or broken insulators should always be
replaced.

A/C Clutch Diagnosis

A/C Clutch Circuit Operation

A 12-volt signal is supplied to the A/C request input of the
PCM when the A/C is selected through the A/C control
switch.
The A/C compressor clutch relay is controlled through the
PCM.  This allows the PCM to modify the idle air control
position prior to the A/C clutch engagement for better idle
quality.  If the engine operating conditions are within their
specified calibrated acceptable ranges, the PCM will
enable the A/C compressor relay.  This is done by
providing a ground path for the A/C relay coil within the
PCM.  When the A/C compressor relay is enabled,
battery voltage is supplied to the compressor clutch coil.
The PCM will enable the A/C compressor clutch
whenever the engine is running and the A/C has been
requested.  The PCM will not enable the A/C compressor
clutch if any of the following conditions are met:

D

The throttle is greater than  90%.

D

The engine speed is greater than 6315 RPM.

D

The ECT is greater than 119

°

C (246

°

F).

D

The IAT is less than 5

°

C (41

°

F).

D

The throttle is more than 80% open.

A/C Clutch Circuit Purpose

The A/C compressor operation is controlled by the
powertrain control module (PCM) for the following
reasons:

D

It improvises idle quality during compressor clutch
engagement.

D

It improvises wide open throttle (WOT) performance.

D

It provides A/C compressor protection from operation
with incorrect refrigerant pressures.

The A/C electrical system consists of the following
components:

D

The A/C control head.

D

The A/C refrigerant pressure switches.

D

The A/C compressor clutch.

D

The A/C compressor clutch relay.

D

The PCM.

A/C Request Signal

This signal tells the PCM when the A/C mode is selected
at the A/C control head.  The PCM uses this to adjust the
idle speed before turning on the A/C clutch.  The A/C
compressor will be inoperative if this signal is not
available to the PCM.
Refer to 

A/C Clutch Circuit Diagnosis for A/C wiring

diagrams and diagnosis for A/C electrical system.

General Description (Exhaust Gas
Recirculation (EGR) System)

EGR Purpose

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is use to
reduce emission levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx).  NOx
emission levels are caused by a high combustion
temperature.  The EGR system lowers the NOx emission
levels by decreasing the combustion temperature.

057RW002

Linear EGR Valve

The main element of the system is the linear EGR valve.
The EGR valve feeds small amounts of exhaust gas back
into the combustion chamber.  The fuel/air mixture will be
diluted and combustion temperatures reduced.

Linear EGR Control

The PCM monitors the EGR actual positron and adjusts
the pintle position accordingly.  The uses information from
the following sensors to control the pintle position:

D

Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.

D

Throttle position (TP) sensor.

D

Mass air flow (MAF) sensor.

Linear EGR Valve Operation and Results
of Incorrect Operation

The linear EGR valve is designed to accurately supply
EGR to the engine independent of intake manifold
vacuum.  The valve controls EGR flow from the exhaust