
FIELD SERVICE MODE - A PCM mode of operation that is used during service. The field service mode is
operational when the engine is running and the DLC diagnostic test enable terminal is earthed.
FUSE - A thin metal strip which melts through when excessive current flows through it, creating an open circuit,
protecting a circuit from damage.
HC - HYDROCARBONS (HC) - Any unburned fuel leaving the engine from incomplete combustion.
IAC VALVE - IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE - Installed on the throttle body unit and controlled by the PCM to
regulate idle air flow and thus idle RPM.
IAT SENSOR - INTAKE AIR TEMPERATURE SENSOR - A sensor that enses intake manifold incoming air
temperature and sends the information to the PCM.
IDEAL M IXTURE - T he air/fuel ratio which provides the best perf ormanc e, while m aintaining ma ximum conversion
of exhaust emissions, typically 14.7 to 1 on petrol engines.
IGN - IGNITION
INPUTS - Information from sensors (MAF, TPS, etc.) and switches (A/C request, etc.) used by the PCM to
determine how to control its outputs.
INTERMITTENT - An electrical signal that occurs now and then; not continuously. In electrical circuits, refers to
occasional open, short, or earth in a circuit.
IPC - INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER
LOW - A voltage less than a spec ific threshold. O perates the s am e as an earth and m ay, or may not, be connected
to chassis earth.
MAF - M ASS AIR FLOW SENSO R - A devic e that monitors the amount of air f low coming in the engine intak e. T he
MAF sensor sends a signal to the PCM.
N.C. - NORMALLY CLOSED - Switch contacts that are closed when they are in the normal operating position.
N.O. - NORMALLY OPEN - Switch contacts that are normally open when in the normal operating position.
NOx - NITROGEN OXIDE - One of the pollutants found in spark ignition engine exhaust. They are formed from
normal combustion and increase in severity with combustion temperatures.
OXYGEN SENSO R - The exhaust gas oxygen sensor is loc ated in the exhaust m anif old. T he O2 sens or m easur es
the oxygen in the exhaust m anifo ld af ter the com bus tion proces s. T he O2 s ensor produc es a small elec trical s ignal
based on the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas.
OPEN LOOP - The PCM control of the fuel control system without the use of the oxygen sensor information.
OUTPUT – Functions that typically include solenoids and relays that are controlled by the PCM.
PIM - POW ERTRAIN INT ERFACE M ODULE - The PIM acts as a com munic ation translator between the PCM and
other onboard contr ollers that us e a diff erent s erial data pr otocol. T he GEN III V8 PCM uses the new Class II ser ial
data to c ommunicate, while other c ontroller s on the vehicle ar e designed to tr ans mit serial data via the c onventional
Universal Asynchronous Receive Transmit (UART) protocol. Since these two types of serial data are not
compatible, a translator or PIM is required to transmit data in either direction between the PCM and other controller.
PCM - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE - A metal cased box, containing electronic circuitry, which electrically
monitors and controls the transmission system and emission systems on the engine management system. It also
turns ON the Check Powertrain Lamp (CPL) when a malfunction occurs in the system.
PCV - POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENT ILAT ION - Method of rebur ning crankc ase fum es, rather than passing them
directly into the atmosphere.
PROM - PROGRAMMABLE READ ONLY MEMORY - An electronic term used to describe the engine calibration
unit. A plug-in memory unit that instructs the PCM how to operate for a particular vehicle.
PULSE WIDTH MODULATED (PWM) - A digital signal turned ON and OFF for a percentage of available on-plus-
off cycle time. A signal that is 30% ON and 70% OFF would be called a 30% ON PWM signal.
QUAD DRIVER - A transistor, in the PCM, capable of operating four separate outputs. Outputs can be either ON-
OFF or pulse width modulated.
RAM - RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY - Is the micropr ocessors "sc ratch pad". The proc essor can write into or read
from this mem ory as needed. T his mem ory is volatile and needs a constant supply of voltage to be retained. If the
voltage is lost or removed, this memory is lost.
SERIAL DATA - Serial data is a series of rapidly changing voltage signals pulsed from high to low. These signals
are typically 5 volts (UART), 7 volts (Class II), and 12 or 0 volts (high or low) and are transmitted through a wire
often referred to as the Serial Data Circuit.
SFI - SEQUENTIAL FUEL INJECTION - Method of injecting fuel into the engine. A fuel injector is placed at each
inlet port of a cylinder head, directly in front of the intake valve, mounted in the intake manifold.
SOLENOID - An electromagnetic coil, which creates a magnetic field, when current flows through it and causes a
plunger or ball to move.
SWITCH - Opens and closes circuits, thereby controlling current flow.
TCC - TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH - A PCM contr olled s olenoid in an automatic tr ansmiss ion which pos itively
couples the transmission input shaft to the engine.