OPEL FRONTERA 1998 Workshop Manual

6E–344
ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
0006
Run Mode
The run mode has the following two conditions:
Open loop
Closed loop
When the engine is first started the system is in “open
loop” operation. In “open loop,” the PCM ignores the
signal from the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S). It
calculates the air/fuel ratio based on inputs from the TP,
ECT, and MAF sensors.
The system remains in “open loop” until the following
conditions are met:
The HO2S has a varying voltage output showing that
it is hot enough to operate properly (this depends on
temperature).
The ECT has reached a specified temperature.
A specific amount of time has elapsed since starting
the engine.
Engine speed has been greater than a specified RPM
since start-up.
The specific values for the above conditions vary with
different engines and are stored in the programmable
read only memory (PROM). When these conditions are
met, the system enters “closed loop” operation. In
“closed loop,” the PCM calculates the air/fuel ratio
(injector on-time) based on the signal from the HO2S.
This allows the air/fuel ratio to stay very close to 14.7:1.
Starting Mode
When the ignition is first turned “ON,” the PCM energizes
the fuel pump relay for two seconds to allow the fuel pump
to build up pressure. The PCM then checks the engine
coolant temperature (ECT) sensor and the throttle
position (TP) sensor to determine the proper air/fuel ratio
for starting.
The PCM controls the amount of fuel delivered in the
starting mode by adjusting how long the fuel injectors are
energized by pulsing the injectors for very short times.
Throttle Body Unit
The throttle body has a throttle plate to control the amount
of air delivered to the engine. The TP sensor and IAC
valve are also mounted on the throttle body. Vacuum
ports located behind the throttle plate provide the vacuum
signals needed by various components.
Engine coolant is directed through a coolant cavity in the
throttle body to warm the throttle valve and to prevent
icing.
0019
General Description (Electronic
Ignition System)
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor
As the camshaft sprocket turns, a magnet in the sprocket
activates the Hall-effect switch in the CMP sensor. When
the Hall-effect switch is activated, it grounds the signal
line to the PCM, pulling the camshaft position sensor
signal circuit’s applied voltage low. This is a CMP signal.
The CMP signals is created as piston #1 is approximately
25
after top dead counter on the power stroke. If the
correct CMP signal is not received by the PCM, DTC
P0341 will be set.

6E–345 ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
0014
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor
The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor provides a signal
used by the powertrain control module (PCM) to calculate
the ignition sequence. The sensor initiates the 58X
reference pulses which the PCM uses to calculate RPM
and crankshaft position. Refer to
Electronic Ignition
System
for additional information.
Electronic Ignition
The electronic ignition system controls fuel combustion
by providing a spark to ignite the compressed air/fuel
mixture at the correct time. To provide optimum engine
performance, fuel economy, and control of exhaust
emissions, the PCM controls the spark advance of the
ignition system. Electronic ignition has the following
advantages over a mechanical distributor system:
No moving parts.
Less maintenance.
Remote mounting capability.
No mechanical load on the engine.
More coil cooldown time between firing events.
Elimination of mechanical timing adjustments.
Increased available ignition coil saturation time.
0013
Ignition Coils
A separate coil-at-plug module is located at each spark
plug. The coil-at-plug module is attached to the engine
with two screws. It is installed directly to the spark plug by
an electrical contact inside a rubber boot. A three-way
connector provides 12-volt primary supply from the
15-amp ignition fuse, a ground-switching trigger line from
the PCM, and a ground.
0001
Ignition Control
The ignition control (IC) spark timing is the PCM’s method
of controlling the spark advance and the ignition dwell.
The IC spark advance and the ignition dwell are
calculated by the PCM using the following inputs:
Engine speed.

6E–346
ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
Crankshaft position (58X reference).
Camshaft position (CMP) sensor.
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.
Throttle position (TP) sensor.
Knock signal (knock sensor).
Park/Neutral position (PRNDL input).
Vehicle speed (vehicle speed sensor).
PCM and ignition system supply voltage.
The crankshaft positron (CKP) sensor sends the
PCM a 58X signal related to the exact position of the
crankshaft.
TS22909
The camshaft position (CMP) sensor sends a signal
related to the position of the camshaft.
TS22910
The knock sensor tells the PCM if there is any
problem with pre-ignition or detonation. This
information allows the PCM to retard timing, if
necessary.
TS24037
Based on these sensor signals and engine load
information, the PCM sends 5V to each ignition coil.
060RW015
The PCM applies 5V signal voltage to the ignition coil
requiring ignition. This signal sets on the power transistor
of the ignition coil to establish a grounding circuit for the
primary coil, applying battery voltage to the primary coil.
At the ignition timing, the PCM stops sending the 5V
signal voltage. Under this condition the power transistor
of the ignition coil is set off to cut the battery voltage to the
primary coil, thereby causing a magnetic field generated
in the primary coil to collapse. On this moment a line of
magnetic force flows to the secondary coil, and when this
magnetic line crosses the coil, high voltage induced by

6E–347 ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
the secondary ignition circuit to flow through the spark
plug to the ground.
TS24047
Ignition Control PCM Output
The PCM provides a zero volt (actually about 100 mV to
200 mV) or a 5-volt output signal to the ignition control (IC)
module. Each spark plug has its own primary and
secondary coil module (”coil-at-plug”) located at the spark
plug itself. When the ignition coil receives the 5-volt signal
from the PCM, it provides a ground path for the B+ supply
to the primary side of the coil-at -plug module. This
energizes the primary coil and creates a magnetic field in
the coil-at-plug module. When the PCM shuts off the
5-volt signal to the ignition control module, the ground
path for the primary coil is broken. The magnetic field
collapses and induces a high voltage secondary impulse
which fires the spark plug and ignites the air/fuel mixture.
The circuit between the PCM and the ignition coil is
monitored for open circuits, shorts to voltage, and shorts
to ground. If the PCM detects one of these events, it will
set one of the following DTCs:
P0351: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #1
P0352: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #2
P0353: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #3
P0354: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #4
P0355: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #5
P0356: Ignition coil Fault on Cylinder #6
Knock Sensor (KS) PCM Input
The knock sensor (KS) system is comprised of a knock
sensor and the PCM. The PCM monitors the KS signals
to determine when engine detonation occurs. When a
knock sensor detects detonation, the PCM retards the
spark timing to reduce detonation. Timing may also be
retarded because of excessive mechanical engine or
transmission noise.
Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
The PCM is responsible for maintaining proper spark and
fuel injection timing for all driving conditions. To provideoptimum driveability and emissions, the PCM monitors
the input signals from the following components in order
to calculate spark timing:
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.
Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor.
Mass air flow (MAF) sensor.
PRNDL input from transmission range switch.
Throttle position (TP) sensor.
Vehicle speed sensor (VSS) .
Crankshaft position (CKP) sensor.
Spark Plug
Although worn or dirty spark plugs may give satisfactory
operation at idling speed, they frequency fail at higher
engine speeds. Faulty spark plugs may cause poor fuel
economy, power loss, loss of speed, hard starting and
generally poor engine performance. Follow the
scheduled maintenance service recommendations to
ensure satisfactory spark plug performance. Refer to
Maintenance and Lubrication.
Normal spark plug operation will result in brown to
grayish-tan deposits appearing on the insulator portion of
the spark plug. A small amount of red-brown, yellow, and
white powdery material may also be present on the
insulator tip around the center electrode. These deposits
are normal combustion by-products of fuels and
lubricating oils with additives. Some electrode wear will
also occur. Engines which are not running properly are
often referred to as “misfiring.” This means the ignition
spark is not igniting the air/fuel mixture at the proper time.
While other ignition and fuel system causes must also be
considered, possible causes include ignition system
conditions which allow the spark voltage to reach ground
in some other manner than by jumping across the air gap
at the tip of the spark plug, leaving the air/fuel mixture
unburned. Misfiring may also occur when the tip of the
spark plug becomes overheated and ignites the mixture
before the spark jumps. This is referred to as
“pre-ignition.”
Spark plugs may also misfire due to fouling, excessive
gap, or a cracked or broken insulator. If misfiring occurs
before the recommended replacement interval, locate
and correct the cause.
Carbon fouling of the spark plug is indicated by dry, black
carbon (soot) deposits on the portion of the spark plug in
the cylinder. Excessive idling and slow speeds under
light engine loads can keep the spark plug temperatures
so low that these deposits are not burned off. Very rich
fuel mixtures or poor ignition system output may also be
the cause. Refer to DTC P0172.
Oil fouling of the spark plug is indicated by wet oily
deposits on the portion of the spark plug in the cylinder,
usually with little electrode wear. This may be caused by
oil during break-in of new or newly overhauled engines.
Deposit fouling of the spark plug occurs when the normal
red-brown, yellow or white deposits of combustion by
products become sufficient to cause misfiring. In some
c a s e s , t h e s e d e p o s i t s m a y m e l t a n d f o r m a s h i n y g l a z e o n
the insulator around the center electrode. If the fouling is
found in only one or two cylinders, valve stem clearances
or intake valve seals may be allowing excess lubricating

6E–348
ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
oil to enter the cylinder, particularly if the deposits are
heavier on the side of the spark plug facing the intake
valve.
TS23995
Excessive gap means that the air space between the
center and the side electrodes at the bottom of the spark
plug is too wide for consistent firing. This may be due to
improper gap adjustment or to excessive wear of the
electrode during use. A check of the gap size and
comparison to the gap specified for the vehicle in
Maintenance and Lubrication will tell if the gap is too wide.
A spark plug gap that is too small may cause an unstable
idle condition. Excessive gap wear can be an indication
of continuous operation at high speeds or with engine
loads, causing the spark to run too hot. Another possible
cause is an excessively lean fuel mixture.
TS23992
Low or high spark plug installation torque or improper
seating can result in the spark plug running too hot and
can cause excessive center electrode wear. The plug
and the cylinder head seats must be in good contact for
proper heat transfer and spark plug cooling. Dirty or
damaged threads in the head or on the spark plug cankeep it from seating even though the proper torque is
applied. Once spark plugs are properly seated, tighten
them to the torque shown in the Specifications Table. Low
torque may result in poor contact of the seats due to a
loose spark plug. Overtightening may cause the spark
plug shell to be stretched and will result in poor contact
between the seats. In extreme cases, exhaust blow-by
and damage beyond simple gap wear may occur.
Cracked or broken insulators may be the result of
improper installation, damage during spark plug
re-gapping, or heat shock to the insulator material. Upper
insulators can be broken when a poorly fitting tool is used
during installation or removal, when the spark plug is hit
from the outside, or is dropped on a hard surface. Cracks
in the upper insulator may be inside the shell and not
visible. Also, the breakage may not cause problems until
oil or moisture penetrates the crack later.
TS23994
A broken or cracked lower insulator tip (around the center
electrode) may result from damage during re-gapping or
from “heat shock” (spark plug suddenly operating too
hot).
TS23993

6E–349 ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
Damage during re-gapping can happen if the gapping
tool is pushed against the center electrode or the
insulator around it, causing the insulator to crack.
When re-gapping a spark plug, make the adjustment
by bending only the ground side terminal, keeping the
tool clear of other parts.
”Heat shock” breakage in the lower insulator tip
generally occurs during several engine operating
conditions (high speeds or heavy loading) and may be
caused by over-advanced timing or low grade fuels.
Heat shock refers to a rapid increase in the tip
temperature that causes the insulator material to
crack.
Spark plugs with less than the recommended amount of
service can sometimes be cleaned and re-gapped , then
returned to service. However, if there is any doubt about
the serviceability of a spark plug, replace it. Spark plugs
with cracked or broken insulators should always be
replaced.
A/C Clutch Diagnosis
A/C Clutch Circuit Operation
A 12-volt signal is supplied to the A/C request input of the
PCM when the A/C is selected through the A/C control
switch.
The A/C compressor clutch relay is controlled through the
PCM. This allows the PCM to modify the idle air control
position prior to the A/C clutch engagement for better idle
quality. If the engine operating conditions are within their
specified calibrated acceptable ranges, the PCM will
enable the A/C compressor relay. This is done by
providing a ground path for the A/C relay coil within the
PCM. When the A/C compressor relay is enabled,
battery voltage is supplied to the compressor clutch coil.
The PCM will enable the A/C compressor clutch
whenever the engine is running and the A/C has been
requested. The PCM will not enable the A/C compressor
clutch if any of the following conditions are met:
The throttle is greater than 90%.
The engine speed is greater than 6315 RPM.
The ECT is greater than 119C (246F).
The IAT is less than 5C (41F).
The throttle is more than 80% open.
A/C Clutch Circuit Purpose
The A/C compressor operation is controlled by the
powertrain control module (PCM) for the following
reasons:
It improvises idle quality during compressor clutch
engagement.
It improvises wide open throttle (WOT) performance.
It provides A/C compressor protection from operation
with incorrect refrigerant pressures.
The A/C electrical system consists of the following
components:
The A/C control head.
The A/C refrigerant pressure switches.
The A/C compressor clutch.
The A/C compressor clutch relay.
The PCM.
A/C Request Signal
This signal tells the PCM when the A/C mode is selected
at the A/C control head. The PCM uses this to adjust the
idle speed before turning on the A/C clutch. The A/C
compressor will be inoperative if this signal is not
available to the PCM.
Refer to
A/C Clutch Circuit Diagnosis for A/C wiring
diagrams and diagnosis for A/C electrical system.
General Description (Exhaust Gas
Recirculation (EGR) System)
EGR Purpose
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is use to
reduce emission levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). NOx
emission levels are caused by a high combustion
temperature. The EGR system lowers the NOx emission
levels by decreasing the combustion temperature.
057RW002
Linear EGR Valve
The main element of the system is the linear EGR valve.
The EGR valve feeds small amounts of exhaust gas back
into the combustion chamber. The fuel/air mixture will be
diluted and combustion temperatures reduced.
Linear EGR Control
The PCM monitors the EGR actual positron and adjusts
the pintle position accordingly. The uses information from
the following sensors to control the pintle position:
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.
Throttle position (TP) sensor.
Mass air flow (MAF) sensor.
Linear EGR Valve Operation and Results
of Incorrect Operation
The linear EGR valve is designed to accurately supply
EGR to the engine independent of intake manifold
vacuum. The valve controls EGR flow from the exhaust

6E–350
ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
to the intake manifold through an orifice with a PCM
controlled pintle. During operation, the PCM controls
pintle position by monitoring the pintle position feedback
signal. The feedback signal can be monitored with Tech 2
as “Actual EGR Pos.” “Actual EGR Pos.” should always
be near the commanded EGR position (”Desired EGR
Pos.”). If a problem with the EGR system will not allow the
PCM to control the pintle position properly, DTC P1406
will set. The PCM also tests for EGR flow. If incorrect flow
is detected, DTC P0401 will set. If DTCs P0401 and/or
P1406 are set, refer to the DTC charts.
The linear EGR valve is usually activated under the
following conditions:
Warm engine operation.
Above-idle speed.
Too much EGR flow at idle, cruise or cold operation may
cause any of the following conditions to occur:
Engine stalls after a cold start.
Engine stalls at idle after deceleration.
Vehicle surges during cruise.
Rough idle.
Too little or no EGR flow may allow combustion
temperatures to get too high. This could cause:
Spark knock (detonation).
Engine overheating.
Emission test failure.
DTC P0401 (EGR flow test).
Poor fuel economy.
0017
EGR Pintle Position Sensor
The PCM monitors the EGR valve pintle position input to
endure that the valve responds properly to commands
from the PCM and to detect a fault if the pintle position
sensor and control circuits are open or shorted. If the
PCM detects a pintle position signal voltage outside the
normal range of the pintle position sensor, or a signal
voltage that is not within a tolerance considered
acceptable for proper EGR system operation, the PCM
will set DTC P1406.
General Description (Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) System)
Crankcase Ventilation System Purpose
The crankcase ventilation system is use to consume
crankcase vapors in the combustion process instead of
venting them to the atmosphere. Fresh air from the
throttle body is supplied to the crankcase and mixed with
blow-by gases. This mixture is then passed through the
positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve into the
common chamber.
Crankcase Ventilation System Operation
The primary control is through the positive crankcase
v e n t i l a t i o n ( P C V ) v a l v e . T h e PCV valve meters the flow at
a rate that depends on the intake vacuum. The PCV valve
restricts the flow when the inlet vacuum is highest. In
addition, the PCV valve can seal the common chamber
off in case of sudden high pressure in the crankcase.
028RV002
While the engine is running, exhaust fuses and small
amounts of the fuel/air mixture escape past the piston

6E–351 ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
rings and enter the crankcase. These gases are mixed
with clean air entering through a tube from the air intake
duct.
028RW002
During normal, part-throttle operation, the system is
designed to allow crankcase gases to flow through the
PCV valve into the throttle body to be consumed by
normal combustion.
A plugged valve or PCV hose may cause the following
conditions:
Rough idle.
Stalling of slow idle speed.
Oil leaks.
Sludge in the engine.
A leaking PCV hose would cause:
Rough idle.
Stalling.
High idle speed.

6E–352
ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
Special Tools
901RW180
Legend
(1) PCMCIA Card
(2) RS232 Loop Back Connector(3) SAE 16/19 Adapter
(4) DLC Cable
(5) TECH–2

6E–353 ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS
ILLUSTRATIONTOOL NO.
TOOL NAME
5-8840-0285-0
(J 39200)
High Impedance
Multimeter (Digital
Vo l t m e t e r – D V M )
(1) PCMCIA Card
(2) RS232 Loop Back
Connector
(3) SAE 16/19 Adapter
(4) DLC Cable
(5) TECH–2
5-8840-0607-0
(J 34142-B)
Unpowered Test Light
5-8840-0385-0
(J 35616-A/BT-8637)
Connector Test
Adapter Kit
5-8840-0383-0
(J 26792/BT-7220-1)
Spark Tester
5-8840-0279-0
(J 23738-A)
Vacuum Pump with
Gauge common tool
ILLUSTRATIONTOOL NO.
TOOL NAME
BT-8515
Exhaust Back Pressure
Tester or common tool
5-8840-2640-0
(J 39194-B)
Heated Oxygen Sensor
Wrench
5-8840-0632-0
(J 35689-A)
Terminal Remover
5-8840-0388-0
(J 28742-A)
Weather Pack II
Terminal Remover
5-8840-2635-0
(J 39021-90)
Injector Switch Box
5-8840-2636-0
(J 39021-65)
Injector Test Light