V07268
VIBRATION METHOD: When vibration seems to be the major cause.
CONNECTORS
WIRE HARNESS
PARTS AND SENSOR1
Slightly shake the connector vertically and horizontally.
Slightly shake the wire harness vertically and horizontally.
The connector joint, fulcrum of the vibration, and body
through portion are the major areas to be checked thorough-
ly.
Apply slight vibration with a finger to the part of the sensor
considered to be the problem cause and check that the mal-
function occurs.Shake Slightly
Swing Slightly
Vibrate Slightly
HINT:
Applying strong vibration to relays may result in open relays.
± INTRODUCTIONHOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED
SYSTEMSIN±25
25 Author: Date:
2000 LEXUS GS300/GS400 (RM718U)
3. SYMPTOM SIMULATION
The most difficult case in troubleshooting is when there are no problem symptoms occurring. In such cases,
a thorough customer problem analysis must be carried out, then simulate the same or similar conditions and
environment in which the problem occurred in the customer's vehicle. No matter how much experience a
technician has, or how skilled he may be, if he proceeds to troubleshoot without confirming the problem
symptoms he will tend to overlook something important in the repair operation and make a wrong guess
somewhere, which will only lead to a standstill. For example, for a problem which only occurs when the en-
gine is cold, or for a problem which occurs due to vibration caused by the road during driving, etc., the prob-
lem can never be determined so long as the symptoms are confirmed with the engine hot condition or the
vehicle at a standstill. Since vibration, heat or water penetration (moisture) is likely cause for problem which
is difficult to reproduce, the symptom simulation tests introduced here are effective measures in that the ex-
ternal causes are applied to the vehicle in a stopped condition.
Important Points in the Symptom Simulation Test:
In the symptom simulation test, the problem symptoms should of course be confirmed, but the problem area
or parts must also be found out. To do this, narrow down the possible problem circuits according to the symp-
toms before starting this test and connect a tester beforehand. After that, carry out the symptom simulation
test, judging whether the circuit being tested is defective or normal and also confirming the problem symp-
toms at the same time. Refer to the problem symptoms table for each system to narrow down the possible
causes of the symptom.
DTC No.
Indicates the diagnostic trouble code.
Page or Instructions
Indicates the page where the inspection procedure
for each circuit is to be found, or gives instructions
for checking and repairs.
Detection Item
Indicates the system of the problem or
contents of the problem. Trouble Area
Indicates the suspect area of the
problem.
Mass Air Flow Circuit MalfunctionDetection Item
Open or short in mass air flow meter circuit
Mass air flow meter
ECM DTC No.
(See page)Trouble AreaMIL* MemoryP0100
(DI±24)
P0101
(DI±28)
P0115
(DI±33) Open or short in intake air temp. sensor
circuit
Intake air temp. sensor
ECM Intake Air Temp. Circuit
Malfunction P0110
(DI±29)
Open or short in engine coolant temp. sensor circuit
Engine coolant temp. sensor
ECM
Throttle/ Pedal Position Sensor/Switch
ºAº Circuit MalfunctionEngine Coolant Temp.
Circuit Malfunction
Open or short in throttle position sensor circuit
Throttle position sensor
ECM
DTC CHART (SAE Controlled)
HINT:
Parameters listed in the chart may not be exactly the same as your reading due to the type of instrument or other
factors.
If a malfunction code is displayed during the DTC check mode, check the circuit for that code listed in the table
below. For details of each code, turn to the page referred to under the ºSee pageº for the respective ºDTC No.º
in the DTC chart.
Mass Air Flow Circuit
Range/ Performance Problem Mass air flow meter
Throttle position sensor Throttle/ Pedal Position Sensor/ Switch
ºAº Circuit Range / Performance Prob-
lem P0116
(DI±37)Engine Coolant Temp.
Circuit Range/ Performance Problem Engine coolant temp. sensor
Cooling system
± INTRODUCTIONHOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED
SYSTEMSIN±27
27 Author: Date:
2000 LEXUS GS300/GS400 (RM718U)
4. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE CHART
The inspection procedure is shown in the table below. This table permits efficient and accurate troubleshoot-
ing using the diagnostic trouble codes displayed in the diagnostic trouble code check. Proceed with trouble-
shooting in accordance with the inspection procedure given in the diagnostic chart corresponding to the
diagnostic trouble codes displayed. The engine diagnostic trouble code chart is shown below as an example.
V08423 Knock Sensor 1
GRECM
KNK
E1 12
E6
WIRING DIAGRAM
Wiring Diagram
This shows a wiring diagram of the circuit.
Use this diagram together with ELECTRICAL
WIRING DIAGRAM to thoroughly understand the
circuit.
Wire colors are indicated by an alphabetical code.
B = Black, L = Blue, R = Red, BR = Brown,
LG = Light Green, V = Violet, G = Green,
O = Orange, W = White, GR = Gray, P = Pink,
Y = Yellow, SB = Sky Blue
The first letter indicates the basic wire color and
the second letter indicates the color of the stripe.
DTC P0325Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
Knock sensor is fitted to the cylinder block to detect engine knocking. This sensor contains a piezoelectric element which
generates a voltage when it becomes deformed, which occurs when the cylinder block vibrates due to knocking. If engine
knocking occurs, ignition timing is retarded to suppress it.
DTC No. DTC Detecting Condition Trouble Area
P0325No knock sensor 1 signal to ECM with engine speed,
1,200 rpm or more. Open or short in knock sensor1 circuit
Knock sensor 1 (looseness)
ECM
If the ECM detects the above diagnosis conditions, it operates the fall safe function in which the corrective retard angle
value is set to the maximum value.
Diagnostic Trouble Code No. and Detection Item
Circuit Description
The major role and operation, etc. of the circuit
and its component parts are explained.
Indicates the diagnostic trouble code, diagnostic
trouble code set parameter and suspect area of
the problem.
± INTRODUCTIONHOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED
SYSTEMSIN±29
29 Author: Date:
2000 LEXUS GS300/GS400 (RM718U)
6. CIRCUIT INSPECTION
How to read and use each page is shown below.
V08425
LOCK
KNK
E6 Connector
(a) Remove the glove compartment (See page SF±68).
(b) Disconnect the E6 connector of ECM.
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
Replace knock sensor. 1 Check continuity between terminal KNK of ECM connector and body ground.
OK:
Check knock sensor (See page SF±61).Measure resistance between terminal KNK of ECM connector
and body ground.
Resistance: 1 MW or higher
Connector being checked is connected. Indicates the condition of the connector of ECU during the check.
PREPARATION:
CHECK:
2Go to step 3.
OK OK
NG
Indicates the position of the ignition switch during the check.
Check from the connector back side.
(with harness)
Ignition Switch LOCK (OFF)
Ignition Switch START
LOCKIgnition Switch ON
Ignition Switch ACC
STARTON
ACC
Indicates the place to check the voltage or resistance.
Indicates the connector position to be checked, from the front or back side.
Connector being checked is disconnected. Check from the connector front side. (without harness)
In this case, care must be taken not to bend the terminals.
E6 Connector KNKWire Harness
E6 Connector KNK
A00255 AB0117
A00265
Inspection Procedure
Use the inspection procedure to determine if
the circuit is normal or abnormal, and, if it is
abnormal, use it to determine whether the
problem is located in the sensors, actuators,
wire harness or ECU. IN±30
± INTRODUCTIONHOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED
SYSTEMS
30 Author: Date:
2000 LEXUS GS300/GS400 (RM718U)
FI0048
FI0047
FI0046
IN011±15
± INTRODUCTIONHOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED
SYSTEMSIN±31
31 Author: Date:
2000 LEXUS GS300/GS400 (RM718U)
HOW TO USE THE DIAGNOSTIC
CHART AND INSPECTION
PROCEDURE
1. CONNECTOR CONNECTION AND TERMINAL IN-
SPECTION
For troubleshooting, diagnostic trouble code charts or
problem symptom table are provided for each circuit with
detailed inspection procedures on the following pages.
When all the component parts, wire harnesses and con-
nectors of each circuit except the ECU are found to be
normal in troubleshooting, then it is determined that the
problem is in the ECU. So always confirm that the problem
symptoms are occurring, or proceed with inspection while
using the symptom simulation method.
The instructions ºCheck wire harness and connectorº and
ºCheck and replace ECUº which appear in the inspection
procedure, are common and applicable to all diagnostic
trouble codes. Follow the procedure outlined below
whenever these instructions appear.
OPEN CIRCUIT:
This could be due to a disconnected wire harness, faulty con-
tact in the connector, and a connector terminal pulled out, etc.
HINT:
It is rarely the case that a wire is broken in the middle of
it. Most cases occur at the connector. In particular, care-
fully check the connectors of sensors and actuators
Faulty contact could be due to rusting of the connector
terminals, to foreign materials entering terminals or a de-
formation of connector terminals. Simply disconnecting
and reconnecting the connectors once changes the
condition of the connection and may result in a return to
normal operation. Therefore, in troubleshooting, if no ab-
normality is found in the wire harness and connector
check, but the problem disappears after the check, then
the cause is considered to be in the wire harness or con-
nectors.
SHORT CIRCUIT:
This could be due to a contact between wire harness and the
body ground or to a short circuit occurred inside the switch, etc.
HINT:
When there is a short circuit between the wire harness and body
ground, check thoroughly whether the wire harness is caught
in the body or is clamped properly.
FI7187
IN0379
Sensor Side
ECU Side
IN0378
Sensor SideECU Side
IN0380
Sensor SideECU Side
IN0381
Pull Lightly
Looseness of Crimping
IN±32± INTRODUCTIONHOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED
SYSTEMS
32 Author: Date:
2000 LEXUS GS300/GS400 (RM718U)
2. CONNECTOR HANDLING
When inserting tester probes into a connector, insert them from
the rear of the connector. When necessary, use mini test leads.
For water resistant connectors which cannot be accessed from
behind, take good care not to deform the connector terminals.
3. CONTINUITY CHECK (OPEN CIRCUIT CHECK)
(a) Disconnect the connectors at both ECU and sensor
sides.
(b) Measure the resistance between the applicable terminals
of the connectors.
Resistance: 1 W or less
HINT:
Measure the resistance while lightly shaking the wire harness
vertically and horizontally.
4. RESISTANCE CHECK (SHORT CIRCUIT CHECK)
(a) Disconnect the connectors on both ends.
(b) Measure the resistance between the applicable terminals
of the connectors and body ground. Be sure to carry out
this check on the connectors on both ends.
Resistance: 1 MW or higher
HINT:
Measure the resistance while lightly shaking the wire harness
vertically and horizontally.
5. VISUAL CHECK AND CONTACT PRESSURE CHECK
(a) Disconnect the connectors at both ends.
(b) Check for rust or foreign material, etc. in the terminals of
the connectors.
(c) Check crimped portions for looseness or damage and
check that the terminals are secured in lock portion.
HINT:
The terminals should not come out when pulled lightly from the
back.
Z17004
Fig. 1
OPENECU
2 Sensor
22 21 111A B C
Z17005
Fig. 2
ECU
Sensor
21A
B C
1
1
22
B04722
Fig. 3
ECU
Sensor
21A
B1
C
1
1
221
2 B2
± INTRODUCTIONHOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED
SYSTEMSIN±33
33 Author: Date:
2000 LEXUS GS300/GS400 (RM718U)
(d) Prepare a test male terminal and insert it in the female ter-
minal, then pull it out.
NOTICE:
When testing a gold±plated female terminal, always use a
gold±plated male terminal.
HINT:
When the test terminal is pulled out more easily than others,
there may be poor contact in that section.
6. CHECK OPEN CIRCUIT
For the open circuit in the wire harness in Fig. 1, perform º(a)
Continuity Checkº or º(b) Voltage Checkº to locate the section.
(a) Check the continuity.
(1) Disconnect connectors ºAº and ºCº and measure
the resistance between them.
In the case of Fig. 2,
Between terminal 1 of connector ºAº and terminal 1
of connector ºCº " No continuity (open)
Between terminal 2 of connector ºAº and terminal 2
of connector ºCº " Continuity
Therefore, it is found out that there is an open circuit
between terminal 1 of connector ºAº and terminal 1
of connector ºCº.
(2) Disconnect connector ºBº and measure the resis-
tance between the connectors.
In the case of Fig. 3,
Between terminal 1 of connector ºAº and terminal 1
of connector ºB1º " Continuity
Between terminal 1 of connector ºB2º and terminal
1 of connector ºCº " No continuity (open)
Therefore, it is found out that there is an open circuit
between terminal 1 of connector ºB2º and terminal
1 of connector ºCº.
Z17007
Fig. 4
Sensor
21A
C
1
1
22B5V
5V
5V
0V
Z17008
Fig. 5
2 1A C
1
1
22
BSHORT
Z17009
Fig. 6
21A C
1
1
22
BSensorECU IN±34
± INTRODUCTIONHOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED
SYSTEMS
34 Author: Date:
2000 LEXUS GS300/GS400 (RM718U)
(b) Check the voltage.
In a circuit in which voltage is applied (to the ECU connec-
tor terminal), an open circuit can be checked for by con-
ducting a voltage check.
As shown in Fig. 4, with each connector still con-
nected, measure the voltage between body ground
and terminal 1 of connector ºAº at the ECU 5V out-
put terminal, terminal 1 of connector ºBº, and termi-
nal 1 of connector ºCº, in that order.
If the results are:
5V: Between Terminal 1 of connector ºAº and Body Ground
5V: Between Terminal 1 of connector ºBº and Body Ground
0V: Between Terminal 1 of connector ºCº and Body Ground
Then it is found out that there is an open circuit in the wire har-
ness between terminal 1 of ºBº and terminal 1 of ºCº.
7. CHECK SHORT CIRCUIT
If the wire harness is ground shorted as in Fig. 5, locate the sec-
tion by conducting a ºcontinuity check with groundº.
Check the continuity with ground.
(1) Disconnect connectors ºAº and ºCº and measure
the resistance between terminal 1 and 2 of connec-
tor ºAº and body ground.
In the case of Fig. 6
Between terminal 1 of connector ºAº and body
ground " Continuity (short)
Between terminal 2 of connector ºAº and body
ground " No continuity
Therefore, it is found out that there is a short circuit
between terminal 1 of connector ºAº and terminal 1
of connector ºCº.