2000 DODGE NEON coolant level

OPERATION
The combination coolant temperature sensor has
two elements. One element supplies coolant temper-
ature signal to the PCM. The other element supplies
coolant temperature signal to the instrument panel
gauge cluster. The PCM determines engine coolant
temperature from the coolant temperature sensor.
As coolant temperature varies the coolant temper-
ature sensors resistance changes resulting in a differ-
ent input voltage to the PCM and the instrument
panel gauge cluster.When the engine is cold, the PCM will provide
slightly richer air- fuel mixtures and higher idle
speeds until normal operating temperatures are
reached.
The PCM has a dual temperature range program
for better sensor accuracy at cold temperatures. At
key-ON the PCM sends a regulated five volt signal
through a 10,000 ohm resistor to the sensor. When
the sensed voltage reaches approximately 1.25 volts
the PCM turns on the transistor. The transistor con-
nects a 1,000 ohm resistor in parallel with the 10,000
ohm resistor. With this drop in resistance the PCM
recognizes an increase in voltage on the input circuit.
FUEL LEVEL SENSORÐPCM INPUT
DESCRIPTION
The fuel gauge level sending unit is attached to the
fuel pump module.
OPERATION
The fuel level sensor (fuel gauge sending unit)
sends a signal to the PCM to indicate fuel level. The
purpose of this feature is to prevent a false setting of
misfire and fuel system monitor trouble codes if the
fuel level is less than approximately 15 percent of its
rated capacity. It is also used to send a signal for fuel
gauge operation via the PCI bus circuits.
Fig. 9 Timing Reference Notches
1 ± MACHINED NOTCHES
2 ± CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
Fig. 10 Engine Coolant Temperature SensorÐSOHC
1 ± ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
2 ± CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
PLFUEL SYSTEM 14 - 31
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

(5) Install the wiring harness into the clips on the
side of the air cleaner box.
(6) Install air cleaner element on to throttle body
and push towards the throttle body and past lip in
air cleaner box bottom (Fig. 45).
(7) Install air duct.
(8) Install lid and tighten screws.
AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove 5 screws from air cleaner element box
lid.(2) Remove lid from air cleaner box.
(3) Pull air cleaner up and out of air cleaner box.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install air cleaner element on to throttle body
and push towards the throttle body and past lip in
air cleaner box bottom (Fig. 46).
(2) Install lid and tighten screws.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
The engine coolant temperature sensor threads
into the rear of the cylinder head (Fig. 47).
REMOVAL
(1) With the engine cold, drain coolant until level
drops below cylinder head. Refer to the Cooling Sys-
tem section.
(2) Disconnect coolant sensor electrical connector.
(3) Remove coolant sensor.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install coolant sensor. Tighten sensor to 18
N´m (165 in. lbs.) torque.
(2) Attach electrical connector to sensor.
(3) Fill cooling system. Refer to the Cooling Sys-
tem section.
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR
The vehicle speed sensor is located in the transmis-
sion extension housing (Fig. 48) or (Fig. 49).
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect electrical connector from sensor.
(2) Remove the sensor mounting bolt.
Fig. 44 Air Cleaner Box
Fig. 45 Air Cleaner Box Lip
1 ± LIP
Fig. 46 Air Cleaner Element
1 ± LIP
PLFUEL SYSTEM 14 - 47
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

MONITORED SYSTEMS
DESCRIPTION
There are new electronic circuit monitors that
check fuel, emission, engine and ignition perfor-
mance. These monitors use information from various
sensor circuits to indicate the overall operation of the
fuel, engine, ignition and emission systems and thus
the emissions performance of the vehicle.
The fuel, engine, ignition and emission systems
monitors do not indicate a specific component prob-
lem. They do indicate that there is an implied prob-
lem within one of the systems and that a specific
problem must be diagnosed.
If any of these monitors detect a problem affecting
vehicle emissions, the Malfunction Indicator (Check
Engine) Lamp will be illuminated. These monitors
generate Diagnostic Trouble Codes that can be dis-
played with the check engine lamp or a scan tool.
The following is a list of the monitored systems:
²EGR Monitor
²Misfire Monitor
²Fuel System Monitor
²Evaporative Emissions Monitor
Following is a description of each system monitor,
and its DTC.
Refer to the appropriate Powertrain Diagnos-
tics Procedures manual for diagnostic proce-
dures.
EGR MONITOR
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) performs
an on-board diagnostic check of the EGR system.
The EGR system consists of two main components:
a vacuum solenoid back pressure transducer and a
vacuum operated valve. The EGR monitor is used to
test whether the EGR system is operating within
specifications. The diagnostic check activates only
during selected engine/driving conditions. When the
conditions are met, the EGR is turned off (solenoid
energized) and the O2S compensation control is mon-
itored. Turning off the EGR shifts the air fuel (A/F)
ratio in the lean direction. Oxygen sensor voltage
then indicates increased oxygen in the exhaust. Con-
sequently, Short Term Compensation shifts to rich
(increased injector pulse width). By monitoring the
shift, the PCM can indirectly monitor the EGR sys-
tem. While this test does not directly measure the
operation of the EGR system, it can be inferred from
the shift in the O2S data whether the EGR system is
operating correctly. Because the O2S is being used,
the O2S test must pass its test before the EGR test.
Enabling ConditionsÐ
²Engine Temperature
²Engine Run Time
²Engine RPM²MAP Sensor
²TPS
²Vehicle Speed
²Short Term Compensation
Pending ConditionsÐThe EGR Monitor does
not run when any of the following example faults
have illuminated the MIL:
²Misfire
²Oxygen Sensor Monitor
²Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitor
²Fuel System Rich/Lean
²Limp in for MAP, TPS or ECT
²Vehicle Speed Sensor
²Cam or Crank Sensor
²EGR Electrical
²EVAP Electrical
²Fuel Injector
²Ignition Coil
²Idle Speed
²Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT)
²MAP Sensor
²Intake Air Temperature (IAT)
Conflict ConditionsÐThe EGR Monitor typi-
cally does not run if any of the following conditions
are present:
²Fuel System Monitor
²Purge Monitor
²Catalyst Monitor
²Low Fuel Level
²High Altitude
²Low Ambient Air Temperature
The EGR Monitor does not run if any of the follow-
ing example DTCs are present:
²Misfire Monitor, Priority 2
²Upstream Oxygen Sensor Heater, Priority 1
²Fuel System Monitor, Priority 2
²Oxygen Sensor Monitor, Priority 1
MISFIRE MONITOR
Excessive engine misfire results in increased cata-
lyst temperature and causes an increase in HC emis-
sions. Severe misfires could cause catalyst damage.
To prevent catalytic convertor damage, the PCM
monitors engine misfire.
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors
for misfire during most engine operating conditions
(positive torque) by looking at changes in the crank-
shaft speed. If a misfire occurs the speed of the
crankshaft will vary more than normal.
OBD II regulations for misfire monitoring require
two different tests for misfire. The first is a Catalyst
Damage level of misfire test. The second is for emis-
sions greater than 1.5 times the Federal Tailpipe
(FTP) standards. The tests are monitored by two dif-
ferent counters. These counters are:
PLEMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS 25 - 15
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

²200 revolution increments for immediate cata-
lyst damage
²1000 revolution increments for emissions viola-
tion and Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test failure
NOTE: The percent of misfire for malfunction crite-
ria varies due to RPM and load. As the engine
speed increases or load decreases, the effects of a
misfire diminishes due to crankshaft momentum.
Failure percentages also vary from engine to
engine.
Monitor OperationÐThe PCM utilizes the
Crankshaft Speed Fluctuation method to monitor for
misfire. The misfire monitor utilizes a crankshaft
position sensor to determine engine RPM. The sensor
can detect slight variations in engine speed due to
misfire. Misfire is continuously monitored once the
enabling conditions are met.
Once enabling conditions are met, the PCM counts
the number of misfires in every 200 revolutions of
the crankshaft. If, duringfive200 counters, the mis-
fire percentage exceeds a predetermined value, a
maturing code is set and a Freeze Frame is entered.
Freeze Frame data is recorded during the last 200
revolutions of the 1000 revolution period. A failure on
the second consecutive trip matures the code and a
DTC is set.
If misfire continues during the initial trip, the MIL
is not illuminated. However, the MIL flashes when
the misfire percentage exceeds the malfunction per-
centage, in any 200 revolution period, that would
cause permanent catalyst damage. This is a one trip
monitor. If misfire reaches a point in which catalyst
damage is likely to occur, the MIL flashes and a DTC
is stored in a Freeze Frame. The engine defaults to
open loop operation to prevent increased fuel flow to
the cylinders. Once misfire is below the predeter-
mined percentage, the MIL stops flashing but
remains illuminated.
The 1000 revolution counters are two trip moni-
tors. As with the fuel system monitor, Freeze Frame
data is from the original fault, and MIL extinguish-
ing requires the monitor to pass under similar condi-
tions.
The Adaptive NumeratorÐThe Misfire Monitor
takes into account component wear, sensor fatigue
and machining tolerances. The PCM compares the
crankshaft in the vehicle to data on an ideal crank
and uses this as a basis to determine variance. To do
this, the crankshaft sensor monitors the reference
notches in the crank. The PCM uses the first signal
set as a point of reference. It then measures where
the second set of signals is, compared to where engi-
neering data has determined it should be. This vari-
ance is the Adaptive Numerator. The monitor will not
run if the numerator is not set.If the Adaptive Numerator is equal to the default
value, the adaptive Numerator has not been learned
and the Misfire Monitor does not run. If the Adaptive
Numerator exceeds its limits, the PCM sets a DTC
for Adaptive Numerator and illuminates the MIL.
RPM ErrorÐThe PCM also checks the machining
tolerances for each group of slots. By monitoring the
speed of the crank from the first slot to the last slot
in a group, the PCM can calculate engine RPM. The
variance between groups of slots is know as the RPM
error. In order for the PCM to run the Misfire Mon-
itor, RPM error must be less than approximately 5%.
Enabling ConditionsÐThe following conditions
must be met before the PCM runs the Misfire Moni-
tor:
²RPM
²Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT)
²Barometric Pressure (MAP)
²Fuel level
²Ambient air Temperature
Pending ConditionsÐThe Misfire Monitor does
not run when the MIL is illuminated for any of the
following:
²Limp in mode for
Ð MAP
Ð TPS
Ð Crankshaft Sensor
Ð Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
²Speed Sensor DTC
²EGR Electrical
²EVAP Electrical
²Idle Speed Faults
²Intake Air Temperature
²Oxygen Sensor Monitor
²Oxygen Sensor Electrical
Conflict ConditionsÐIf any of the following con-
ditions conflict with the Misfire Monitor, the monitor
will not run:
²Low fuel level
²MAP voltage rapidly changing
²Severe engine decel
²TPS toggling OPEN/CLOSED
²Engine RPM too low (RPM levels by vehicle)
²Engine RPM too high (RPM levels vary by vehi-
cle)
²Full Lean or Decel Fuel Shut-off
²Cold start
FUEL SYSTEM MONITOR
To comply with clean air regulations, vehicles are
equipped with catalytic converters. These converters
reduce the emission of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitro-
gen and carbon monoxide. The catalyst works best
when the air fuel (A/F) ratio is at or near the opti-
mum of 14.7 to 1.
25 - 16 EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMSPL
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

The PCM is programmed to maintain the optimum
air/fuel ratio of 14.7 to 1. This is done by making
short term corrections in the fuel injector pulse width
based on the O2S output. The programmed memory
acts as a self calibration tool that the engine control-
ler uses to compensate for variations in engine spec-
ifications, sensor tolerances and engine fatigue over
the life span of the engine. By monitoring the actual
air-fuel ratio with the O2S (short term) and multiply-
ing that with the program long-term (adaptive) mem-
ory and comparing that to the limit, it can be
determined whether it will pass an emissions test. If
a malfunction occurs such that the PCM cannot
maintain the optimum A/F ratio, then the MIL will
be illuminated.
Monitor OperationÐFuel systems monitors do
not have a pre-test because they are continuously
running monitors. Therefore, the PCM constantly
monitors Short Term Compensation and Long Term
Adaptive memory.
Lean: If at anytime during a lean engine operation,
short term compensation multiplied by long term
adaptive exceeds a certain percentage for an
extended period, the PCM sets a Fuel System Lean
Fault for that trip and a Freeze Frame is entered.
Rich: If at anytime during a rich operation, Short
Term Compensation multiplied by Long Term Adap-
tive is less than a predetermined value, the PCM
checks the Purge Free Cells.
Purge Free Cells are values placed in Adaptive
Memory cells when the EVAP Purge Solenoid is OFF.
Two, three or four Purge Free cells are used. One cor-
responds to an Adaptive Memory cell at idle, the
other to a cell that is off-idle. For example, if a Purge
Free cell is labeled PFC1, it would hold the value for
Adaptive Memory cell C1 under non-purge condi-
tions.
If all Purge Free Cells are less than a certain per-
centage, and the Adaptive Memory factor is less than
a certain percentage, the PCM sets a Fuel System
Rich fault for that trip and a Freeze Frame is
entered.
The Fuel Monitor is a two trip monitor. The PCM
records engine data in Freeze Frame upon setting of
the first fault, or maturing code. When the fuel mon-
itor fails on a second consecutive trip, the code is
matured and the MIL is illuminated. The stored
Freeze Frame data is still from the first fault.
In order for the PCM to extinguish the MIL, the
Fuel Monitor must pass in a Similar Condition Win-
dow. The similar conditions relate to RPM and load.
The engine must be within a predetermined percent-
age of both RPM and load when the monitor runs to
count a good trip. As with all DTCs, three good tripsare required to extinguish the MIL and 40 warm up
cycles are required to erase the DTC. If the engine
does not run in a Similar Conditions Window, the
Task Manager extinguishes the MIL after 80 good
trips.
Enabling ConditionsÐThe following conditions
must be met to operate the fuel control monitor:
²PCM not in fuel crank mode (engine running)
²PCM in Closed Loop fuel control
²Fuel system updating Long Term Adaptive
²Fuel level above 15% of capacity
²Fuel level below 85% of capacity
Pending ConditionsÐThe Fuel Control Monitor
does not operate if the MIL is illuminated for any of
the following:
²Misfire Monitor
²Upstream O2S
²EVAP Purge Solenoid Electrical PCM Self Test
Fault
²Camshaft or Crankshaft Position Sensor
²Fuel Injectors
²Ignition Coil Primary
²Throttle Position (TPS) Sensor
²Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor
²Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor
²Idle Air Control (IAC)
²5V Output Too Low
²EGR Monitor
²EGR Solenoid Circuit
²Vehicle Speed Sensor
²Oxygen Sensor Monitor
²Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitor
²Oxygen Sensor Electrical
²Idle Speed Rationality
²Intake Air Temperature
SuspendÐThe Task Manager will suspend
maturing a Fuel System fault if any of the following
are present:
²Oxygen Sensor Response, Priority 1
²O2 Heater, Priority 1
²Misfire Monitor, Priority 2
EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS MONITOR
LEAK DETECTION PUMP MONITORÐThe
leak detection assembly incorporates two primary
functions: it must detect a leak in the evaporative
system and seal the evaporative system so the leak
detection test can be run.
The primary components within the assembly are:
A three port solenoid that activates both of the func-
tions listed above; a pump which contains a switch,
two check valves and a spring/diaphragm, a canister
vent valve (CVV) seal which contains a spring loaded
vent seal valve.
PLEMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS 25 - 17
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

when the MIL is illuminated due to any of the fol-
lowing faults:
²Misfire
²Oxygen Sensor Monitor
²Fuel System Rich
²Fuel System Lean
²EGR Monitor
²MAP
²TPS
²ECT
²DCP Solenoid
Conflict Conditions-With or Without LDPÐ
The EVAP Monitor does not run if any of the follow-
ing tests are in progress:
²Catalyst
²EGR
²Fuel System
²Misfire
TRIP DEFINITION
OPERATION
A ªTripº means vehicle operation (following an
engine-off period) of duration and driving mode such
that all components and systems are monitored at
least once by the diagnostic system. The monitors
must successfully pass before the PCM can verify
that a previously malfunctioning component is meet-
ing the normal operating conditions of that compo-
nent. For misfire or fuel system malfunction, the
MIL may be extinguished if the fault does not recur
when monitored during three subsequent sequential
driving cycles in which conditions are similar to
those under which the malfunction was first deter-
mined.
Anytime the MIL is illuminated, a DTC is stored.
The DTC can self erase only when the MIL has been
extinguished. Once the MIL is extinguished, the
PCM must pass the diagnostic test for the most
recent DTC for 40 warm-up cycles (80 warm-up
cycles for the Fuel System Monitor and the Misfire
Monitor). A warm-up cycle can best be described by
the following:
²The engine must be running
²A rise of 40ÉF in engine temperature must occur
from the time when the engine was started
²Engine coolant temperature must reach at least
160ÉF
²A ªdriving cycleº that consists of engine start up
and engine shut off.
Once the above conditions occur, the PCM is con-
sidered to have passed a warm-up cycle. Due to the
conditions required to extinguish the MIL and erase
the DTC, it is most important that after a repair has
been made, all DTC's be erased and the repair veri-
fied.
MONITORED COMPONENT
DESCRIPTION
There are several components that will affect vehi-
cle emissions if they malfunction. If one of these com-
ponents malfunctions the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine) will illuminate.
Some of the component monitors are checking for
proper operation of the part. Electrically operated
components now have input (rationality) and output
(functionality) checks. Previously, a component like
the Throttle Position sensor (TPS) was checked by
the PCM for an open or shorted circuit. If one of
these conditions occurred, a DTC was set. Now there
is a check to ensure that the component is working.
This is done by watching for a TPS indication of a
greater or lesser throttle opening than MAP and
engine rpm indicate. In the case of the TPS, if engine
vacuum is high and engine rpm is 1600 or greater
and the TPS indicates a large throttle opening, a
DTC will be set. The same applies to low vacuum
and 1600 rpm.
Any component that has an associated limp in will
set a fault after 1 trip with the malfunction present.
Refer to the Diagnostic Trouble Codes Description
Charts in this section and the appropriate Power-
train Diagnostic Procedure Manual for diagnostic
procedures.
The following is a list of the monitored compo-
nents:
²Comprehensive Components
²Oxygen Sensor Monitor
²Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitor
²Catalyst Monitor
COMPREHENSIVE COMPONENTS
Along with the major monitors, OBD II requires
that the diagnostic system monitor any component
that could affect emissions levels. In many cases,
these components were being tested under OBD I.
The OBD I requirements focused mainly on testing
emissions-related components for electrical opens and
shorts.
However, OBD II also requires that inputs from
powertrain components to the PCM be tested for
rationality, and that outputs to powertrain compo-
nents from the PCM be tested forfunctionality.
Methods for monitoring the various Comprehensive
Component monitoring include:
(1) Circuit Continuity
²Open
²Shorted high
²Shorted to ground
(2) Rationality or Proper Functioning
²Inputs tested for rationality
²Outputs tested for functionality
PLEMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS 25 - 19
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

from memory after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles
without test failure.
Enabling ConditionsÐThe following conditions
must typically be met for the PCM to run the oxygen
sensor monitor:
²Battery voltage
²Engine temperature
²Engine run time
²Engine run time at a predetermined speed
²Engine run time at a predetermined speed and
throttle opening
²Transmission in gear (automatic only)
²Fuel system in Closed Loop
²Long Term Adaptive (within parameters)
²Power Steering Switch in low PSI (no load)
²Engine at idle
²Fuel level above 15%
²Ambient air temperature
²Barometric pressure
²Engine RPM within acceptable range of desired
idle
²Closed throttle speed
Pending ConditionsÐThe Task Manager typi-
cally does not run the Oxygen Sensor Monitor if over-
lapping monitors are running or the MIL is
illuminated for any of the following:
²Misfire Monitor
²Front Oxygen Sensor and Heater Monitor
²MAP Sensor
²Vehicle Speed Sensor
²Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
²Throttle Position Sensor
²Engine Controller Self Test Faults
²Cam or Crank Sensor
²Injector and Coil
²Idle Air Control Motor
²EVAP Electrical
²EGR Solenoid Electrical
²Intake Air Temperature
²5 Volt Feed
ConflictÐThe Task Manager does not run the
Oxygen Sensor Monitor if any of the following condi-
tions are present:
²A/C ON (A/C clutch cycling temporarily sus-
pends monitor)
²Purge flow in progress
SuspendÐThe Task Manager suspends maturing
a fault for the Oxygen Sensor Monitor if an of the fol-
lowing are present:
²Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitor, Priority 1
²Misfire Monitor, Priority 2
OXYGEN SENSOR HEATER MONITOR
DESCRIPTIONÐIf there is an oxygen sensor
(O2S) DTC as well as a O2S heater DTC, the O2S
fault MUST be repaired first. After the O2S fault isrepaired, verify that the heater circuit is operating
correctly.
The voltage readings taken from the O2S are very
temperature sensitive. The readings are not accurate
below 300ÉC. Heating of the O2S is done to allow the
engine controller to shift to closed loop control as
soon as possible. The heating element used to heat
the O2S must be tested to ensure that it is heating
the sensor properly.
The heater element itself is not tested. The sensor
output is used to test the heater by isolating the
effect of the heater element on the O2S output volt-
age from the other effects. The resistance is normally
between 100 ohms and 4.5 megaohms. When oxygen
sensor temperature increases, the resistance in the
internal circuit decreases. The PCM sends a 5 volts
biased signal through the oxygen sensors to ground
this monitoring circuit. As the temperature increases,
resistance decreases and the PCM detects a lower
voltage at the reference signal. Inversely, as the tem-
perature decreases, the resistance increases and the
PCM detects a higher voltage at the reference signal.
an The O2S circuit is monitored for a drop in voltage.
OPERATIONÐThe Oxygen Sensor Heater Moni-
tor begins after the ignition has been turned OFF
and the O2 sensors have cooled. The PCM sends a 5
volt bias to the oxygen sensor every 1.6 seconds. The
PCM keeps it biased for 35 ms each time. As the sen-
sor cools down, the resistance increases and the PCM
reads the increase in voltage. Once voltage has
increased to a predetermined amount, higher than
when the test started, the oxygen sensor is cool
enough to test heater operation.
When the oxygen sensor is cool enough, the PCM
energizes the ASD relay. Voltage to the O2 sensor
begins to increase the temperature. As the sensor
temperature increases, the internal resistance
decreases. The PCM continues biasing the 5 volt sig-
nal to the sensor. Each time the signal is biased, the
PCM reads a voltage decrease. When the PCM
detects a voltage decrease of a predetermined value
for several biased pulses, the test passes.
The heater elements are tested each time the
engine is turned OFF if all the enabling conditions
are met. If the monitor fails, the PCM stores a
maturing fault and a Freeze Frame is entered. If two
consecutive tests fail, a DTC is stored. Because the
ignition is OFF, the MIL is illuminated at the begin-
ning of the next key cycle.
Enabling ConditionsÐThe following conditions
must be met for the PCM to run the oxygen sensor
heater test:
²Engine run time of at least 5.1 minutes
²Key OFF power down
²Battery voltage of at least 10 volts
²Sufficient Oxygen Sensor cool down
PLEMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS 25 - 21
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

Pending ConditionsÐThere are not conditions
or situations that prompt conflict or suspension of
testing. The oxygen sensor heater test is not run
pending resolution of MIL illumination due to oxygen
sensor failure.
SuspendÐThere are no conditions which exist for
suspending the Heater Monitor.
CATALYST MONITOR
To comply with clean air regulations, vehicles are
equipped with catalytic converters. These converters
reduce the emission of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitro-
gen and carbon monoxide.
Normal vehicle miles or engine misfire can cause a
catalyst to decay. A meltdown of the ceramic core can
cause a reduction of the exhaust passage. This can
increase vehicle emissions and deteriorate engine
performance, driveability and fuel economy.
The catalyst monitor uses dual oxygen sensors
(O2S's) to monitor the efficiency of the converter. The
dual O2S strategy is based on the fact that as a cat-
alyst deteriorates, its oxygen storage capacity and its
efficiency are both reduced. By monitoring the oxy-
gen storage capacity of a catalyst, its efficiency can
be indirectly calculated. The upstream O2S is used to
detect the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas
before the gas enters the catalytic converter. The
PCM calculates the A/F mixture from the output of
the O2S. A low voltage indicates high oxygen content
(lean mixture). A high voltage indicates a low content
of oxygen (rich mixture).
When the upstream O2S detects a lean condition,
there is an abundance of oxygen in the exhaust gas.
A functioning converter would store this oxygen so it
can use it for the oxidation of HC and CO. As the
converter absorbs the oxygen, there will be a lack of
oxygen downstream of the converter. The output of
the downstream O2S will indicate limited activity in
this condition.
As the converter loses the ability to store oxygen,
the condition can be detected from the behavior of
the downstream O2S. When the efficiency drops, no
chemical reaction takes place. This means the con-
centration of oxygen will be the same downstream as
upstream. The output voltage of the downstream
O2S copies the voltage of the upstream sensor. The
only difference is a time lag (seen by the PCM)
between the switching of the O2S's.
To monitor the system, the number of lean-to-rich
switches of upstream and downstream O2S's is
counted. The ratio of downstream switches to
upstream switches is used to determine whether the
catalyst is operating properly. An effective catalyst
will have fewer downstream switches than it has
upstream switches i.e., a ratio closer to zero. For atotally ineffective catalyst, this ratio will be one-to-
one, indicating that no oxidation occurs in the device.
The system must be monitored so that when cata-
lyst efficiency deteriorates and exhaust emissions
increase to over the legal limit, the MIL (check
engine lamp) will be illuminated.
Monitor OperationÐTo monitor catalyst effi-
ciency, the PCM expands the rich and lean switch
points of the heated oxygen sensor. With extended
switch points, the air/fuel mixture runs richer and
leaner to overburden the catalytic converter. Once
the test is started, the air/fuel mixture runs rich and
lean and the O2 switches are counted. A switch is
counted when an oxygen sensor signal goes from
below the lean threshold to above the rich threshold.
The number of Rear O2 sensor switches is divided by
the number of Front O2 sensor switches to determine
the switching ratio.
The test runs for 20 seconds. As catalyst efficiency
deteriorated over the life of the vehicle, the switch
rate at the downstream sensor approaches that of the
upstream sensor. If at any point during the test
period the switch ratio reaches a predetermined
value, a counter is incremented by one. The monitor
is enabled to run another test during that trip. When
the test fails three times, the counter increments to
three, a malfunction is entered, and a Freeze Frame
is stored. When the counter increments to three dur-
ing the next trip, the code is matured and the MIL is
illuminated. If the test passes the first, no further
testing is conducted during that trip.
The MIL is extinguished after three consecutive
good trips. The good trip criteria for the catalyst
monitor is more stringent than the failure criteria. In
order to pass the test and increment one good trip,
the downstream sensor switch rate must be less than
80% of the upstream rate (60% for manual transmis-
sions). The failure percentages are 90% and 70%
respectively.
Enabling ConditionsÐThe following conditions
must typically be met before the PCM runs the cat-
alyst monitor. Specific times for each parameter may
be different from engine to engine.
²Accumulated drive time
²Enable time
²Ambient air temperature
²Barometric pressure
²Catalyst warm-up counter
²Engine coolant temperature
²Accumulated throttle position sensor
²Vehicle speed
²MAP
²RPM
²Engine in closed loop
²Fuel level
25 - 22 EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMSPL
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)