Isuzu Trooper (1998-2002 year). Service manual — part 540

6E–530

6VE1 3.5 ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

D

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 section.
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. Refer to

DTC P0300. 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
cases, these deposits may melt and form a shiny glaze on
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
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 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 can
keep 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

6E–531

6VE1 3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

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/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:

D

The throttle is greater than 90%.

D

The engine speed is greater than 6315 RPM.

D

The ECT is greater than 119

°

C (246

°

F).

D

The IAT is less than 5

°

C (41

°

F).

D

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:

D

It improvises idle quality during compressor clutch
engagement.

D

It improvises wide open throttle (WOT) performance.

D

It provides A/C compressor protection from operation
with incorrect refrigerant pressures.

The A/C electrical system consists of the following
components:

D

The A/C control head.

D

The A/C refrigerant pressure switches.

D

The A/C compressor clutch.

D

The A/C compressor clutch relay.

D

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 section 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.

060R200237

6E–532

6VE1 3.5 ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

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:

D

Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor.

D

Throttle position (TP) sensor.

D

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
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 a 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:

D

Warm engine operation.

D

Above-idle speed.

Too much EGR flow at idle, cruise or cold operation may
cause any of the following conditions to occur:

D

Engine stalls after a cold start.

D

Engine stalls at idle after deceleration.

D

Vehicle surges during cruise.

D

Rough idle.

D

DTC P0300 (misfire detected).

Too little or no EGR flow may allow combustion
temperatures to get too high. This could cause:

D

Spark knock (detonation).

D

Engine overheating.

D

Emission test failure.

D

DTC P0401 (EGR flow test).

D

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
ventilation (PCV) valve. The 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.

6E–533

6VE1 3.5L ENGINE DRIVEABILITY AND EMISSIONS

060R200198

While the engine is running, exhaust fuses and small
amounts of the fuel/air mixture escape past the piston
rings and enter the crankcase. These gases are mixed
with clean air entering through a tube from the air intake
duct.

060R200063

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:

D

Rough idle.

D

Stalling of slow idle speed.

D

Oil leaks.

D

Sludge in the engine.

A leaking PCV hose would cause:

D

Rough idle.

D

Stalling.

D

High idle speed.