Diagnostic Aids
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
- Do not attempt more than 10 engine starts without driving the vehicle to ensure the battery pack is charged.
- Do not operate the vehicle in Neutral for more than 5 minutes. When the 'Shift to Park' Driver Information Center (DIC) message is displayed, the vehicle must be immediately shifted to Park or driven.
Excessive engine crank attempts where the engine cranks but does not run, or extended operation of the vehicle while in Neutral, will discharge the high voltage battery pack. In order to prevent deep discharging, and damaging the high voltage battery pack, ensure that these precautions are followed.
- When the engine is started, it is cranked by the 300 V drive motor/generator, which can rotate the engine to operating speed within just a few hundred milliseconds. However, it may be difficult to determine the running state of the engine. Observe the scan tool ICE Status parameter to determine the running state of the engine. The parameter will display one of the following values:
- Engine Stalled
- Invalid
- OFF
- Running
- Silent Start
- Stop
- Start
- Some failure conditions can make the engine appear to start, run briefly, then stall, which results in the following two DIC messages being displayed:
- Engine Not Available, Service Vehicle Soon
- Propulsion Power Reduced
- Inspect the engine for good secure electrical grounds.
- Insufficient fuel can prevent the engine from starting. Thoroughly inspect the fuel delivery system for sufficient fuel volume to the fuel injectors. Inspect the fuel supply components for partial blockage or restrictions.
- Fuel injectors with partially blocked and restricted nozzles, or a malfunctioning solenoid, can prevent the engine from starting. Refer to Fuel Injector Diagnosis .
- There may be fuel spray at the fuel injectors and the indicated fuel pressure may be correct, yet there may not be enough fuel for combustion to take place. If the fuel injectors and the injector circuit are OK, and fuel spray is detected, the fuel injector ON time may be inadequate. If the engine control module (ECM) receives incorrect inputs from the various information sensors, the fuel delivered by the fuel injectors may be inadequate for the engine to start. Check all the engine data parameters with a scan tool and compare the values indicated with the expected values or the values from a known vehicle in good condition.
- Inspect the engine for good secure electrical grounds.
- Water or foreign material in the fuel can prevent the engine from starting. During freezing weather, the water can freeze inside the fuel system. After 30 min in a heated repair shop, the water may melt and allow the engine to start. The malfunction may not recur until parked overnight in freezing temperatures.
- Under extreme weather conditions, or over a period of time, the ignition system may become susceptible to moisture. This condition may become serious enough to prevent the engine from starting. Bring the vehicle into a dry, heated garage and allow it to dry out for several hours. If the engine then starts, inspect for an ignition system that is susceptible to moisture.