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Home >> Pontiac >> 2008 >> Grand Prix GXP >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different variant/trim >> Section 3 (Engine Controls And Fuel - 3.8L - Troubleshooting & Diagnosis) >> Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis (With Special Tool) >> Test Procedure

Test Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
  1. Turn ON the J 44175  Fuel Composition Tester. See Special Tools .
  2. Verify the fuel composition tester is operational by measuring the AC frequency output with a DMM. Refer to Measuring Frequency . A frequency without a fuel sample in the test cell indicates that the tester is working correctly.
  3. Install the fuel pressure gage. Refer to Fuel Pressure Gage Installation and Removal .
  4. Fig 1: Bleeding Fuel Pressure Gage Valve
    GM735579Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: Bleed the fuel pressure gage a few times in order to obtain an accurate fuel sample.
  5. Close the bleed valve on the fuel pressure gage.
  6. Place the bleed hose (1) of the fuel pressure gage into the 100 ml beaker (2).
  7. Command the fuel pump ON with a scan tool.
  8. Slowly open the bleed valve on the fuel pressure gage until an adequate fuel sample is obtained.
  9. If water appears in the fuel sample, replace the fuel in the vehicle. Refer to Fuel System Cleaning .
  10. Fig 2: Testing Fuel
    GM735580Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: DO NOT allow any substances other than gasoline, ethanol/gasoline blends, air, or acetone into the test ports of the fuel composition tester. Contaminants in the fuel composition tester could result in a misdiagnosis.
  11. Pour the fuel sample from the beaker (1) into the J 44175  until the level of the fuel is at the top of each fuel test port (2). See Special Tools .
  12. Observe the diagnostic LEDs on the fuel composition tester. If the red fuel diagnostic LED is illuminated, a fuel contamination condition exists. Refer to Fuel System Cleaning .
  13. Measure the output frequency of the fuel composition tester.
  14. Subtract 50 from the reading on the DMM to obtain the percentage of alcohol in the fuel sample. Refer to the examples in the following table.
  15. If the fuel sample contains more than 10 percent ethanol, replace the fuel in the vehicle.
Fuel Composition Test Examples

- Frequency (Hz) Subtract 50 Ethanol Percent
Example A 50 Hz -50 0%
Example B 65 Hz -50 15%
Example C 129 Hz -50 79%