
CRANKSHAFT REFERENCE PCM INPUT.
From the ignition module, the PCM uses this signal to calculate engine RPM and crankshaft position. The PCM
compares pulses on this circuit to any that are on earth crankshaft reference low circuit. The PCM also uses the
pulses on this circuit to initiate injec tor pulses. If the PCM receives no pulses on this c ircuit, no fuel inj ection pulses
will occur, the engine will not run, and DTC 46 will set when attempting to start the engine.
CRANKSHAFT REFERENCE EARTH.
This is an earth circuit for the digital RPM counter inside the PCM, but the wire is connected to engine earth only
through the ignition m odule. Although this c ircuit is elec trically connected to the PCM, it is not connec ted to earth at
or through the PCM. The PCM compares voltage pulses on the reference input circuit to any on this circuit. If the
circuit is open, or connected to earth at the PCM, it may cause poor engine performance and possibly a "Check
Powertrain" Lamp with no DTC.
BYPASS CONTROL.
The PCM either allows the ignition m odule to keep the spark advance at "bypass mode" 10 degrees BTDC, or the
PCM signals the ignition module that the PCM is going to control the spark advance (EST mode). The ignition
module switches between the two m odes by the level of voltage that the PCM sends to the ignition m odule on the
bypass control circuit. The PCM provides 5 volts to the ignition module if the PCM is going to control spark timing
(EST m ode). If the PCM does not turn "ON" the 5 volts , or if the ignition m odule doesn't rec eive it, then the module
will keep c ontr ol of s park timing (bypass mode). An open or ear thed bypass control c irc uit will set a DT C 42 and the
ignition system will stay in 'bypass mode'. If the bypass control circuit is shorted to voltage then DTC 41 will set.
EST OUTPUT
The EST output circuitry of the PCM sends out timing pulses to the ignition module on this circuit. When in the
"bypass mode," the ignition module earths these pulses. When in the EST mode, these pulses are the ignition
timing pulses used by the ignition module to energise the ignition coil. If the EST output circuit is open when the
engine is started, a DTC 41 will set and the ignition system will stay in the bypass mode. If this circuit becomes
shorted to voltage or earthed during EST mode operation above 1600 RPM, then DTC 42 will set.
HOW DTC 41 AND DTC 42 ARE DETERMINED
The EST output circ uitry in the PCM issues EST output pulses anytime cr ankshaf t reference s ignal input pulses ar e
being received. When the ignition system is operating in the bypass mode (no voltage on the bypass control
circuit), the ignition module earths the EST pulses sent from the PCM. The ignition module will remove the earth
path for the EST pulses only after switching to the EST m ode. (T he PCM com m ands the s witching between bypass
& EST modes, via applying 5 volts on the bypass control circuit to the ignition module.)
The PCM has voltage monitors on the EST output line and the bypass control line. The PCM monitors it's EST
output, and expects to detect no EST pulses on the EST circuit when it has not supplied the 5 volts on the bypass
control circuit. W hen the RPM for EST operation is reached (approxim ately 450 RPM), the PCM applies 5 volts to
the bypass control circuit, and the EST pulses should no longer be earthed by the ignition module. The PCM
constantly monitors it's EST output, and should 'detect' the high EST pulses only when in the 'EST mode.'
If EST output circuit is open, the PCM will detect EST output pulses while attempting to start the engine (in the
bypass mode) due to the ignition module not being able to earth the EST pulses. The PCM will check for this
condition during engine cr anking. Thr ee things will occur: 1. A DT C 41 will s et, 2. The PCM will not apply 5 volts to
the bypass control circuit, and 3. The engine will start and run in the bypass mode.
If EST output circuit is earthed or shorted to voltage, the PCM would not detect a problem until the change to
EST mode happens. W hen the PCM applies 5 volts to the bypass control circuit, the ignition module will switch to
the EST mode. With EST circuit earthed or shorted to voltage, there would be no EST pulses for the ignition
module to trigger the ignition coil with, and the engine may falter. The PCM will quickly revert back to the bypass
mode (turn "OFF" the 5 volts on the bypass control circuit), DTC 42 will set, after the engine speed exceeds 1600
RPM. The ignition s ystem will operate in the bypass mode until the fault is corr ected and the engine is stopped and
restarted.
If bypass control circuit is open OR earthed, the ignition module can not switch to the EST mode. In this case,
the EST pulses will stay earthed by the ignition module, and DTC 42 will be set after the
engine speed exceeds 1600 RPM. The engine will start and run in the bypass mode.
If bypass contro l circuit is shorted t o voltag e, the ignition m odule will be switched to the EST m ode all the tim e.
In this c as e, the PCM would detec t voltage on the bypass circuit only with the engine cranking and set DTC 41. T he
engine would start and run in the EST mode.