Freeze Frame/Failure Records

The Scan tool displays vehicle malfunction history information accessed through the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) menu under the subheading Freeze Frame/Failure Records. A maximum of 1 Freeze Frame plus 10 Failure Records can be stored in the engine control module at any time. A Freeze Frame record is only stored for emission related DTCs (type A or B) designated as F0: FREEZE FRAME on Scan tool. When a DTC sets, the ECM will store one Freeze Frame (if emission related) and one Failure Record. The Freeze Frame will be a collection of data that was recorded at the instant the DTC set. The Failure Record will be a different collection of data that was recorded at the instant the DTC sets; however, this data will update any time the ECM passes the diagnostic, then fails it again.

Government regulations mandate that when any emission related DTC sets, the ECM must store Freeze Frame data. The first emission related DTC that sets after a code clear or battery disconnect would trigger the ECM to store Freeze Frame data, which can only be overwritten by Fuel Trim or Misfire Freeze Frame data. NOTE: THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE FREEZE FRAME RECORD NO MATTER HOW MANY DTCs HAVE BEEN SET. If there is no Freeze Frame record and non-emission related DTC sets, this record will display as Failure Record "O". However, this failure record will shift down to the F1 position if an emission related DTC sets next. The Freeze Frame record will be in the F0 position and its failure record will be in the F2 position.

NOTE: The oldest Failure Record will be displayed as the lowest numerical record and the newest as the highest numerical record. Once 10 Failure Records are stored in the ECM, the ECM will not store any new records until DTCs are cleared. The original 10 records will still remain even if an 11th DTC has set.

The following is an overview of DTC types and how information is stored in memory.

Emission Related
TYPE A-First fault during first ignition cycle-Freeze Frame (F0) immediately stores DTC plus information, Failure Record 1 (F1) immediately stores DTC plus information and updates with every passed then failed ECM test, DTC becomes active, MIL illuminates after 5 seconds with the fault present.

TYPE B-First fault during first ignition cycle-Freeze Frame (F0) immediately stores DTC plus information, Failure Record 1 (F1) immediately stores DTC plus information and updates with every passed then failed ECM test, DTC becomes active.

Next ignition cycle when the diagnostic run and fails-MIL illuminates

Non-Emission Related

TYPE C-First fault during first ignition cycle-Failure Record 1 (F0) immediately stores DTC plus information and updates with every passed then failed ECM test DTC becomes active, SERVICE (Wrench) telltale illuminates.

TYPE D-First fault during cycle-Failure Record 1 (F0) immediately stores DTC plus information and updates with every passed then failed ECM test DTC becomes active.

It is important to remember that the DTC as well as any stored failure record information will be erased if the vehicle battery has been disconnected or a clear DTC command is issued to the ECM. DTCs and failure record information will also be erased if 40 passes (only one pass per ignition cycle is counted) have been recorded without any faults. All emission (DTC type A or B) and non-emission (DTC type C and D) codes require this pass criteria.

FREEZE FRAME will store the following:
^ DTC #
^ Engine Speed
^ Vehicle Speed
^ Engine Load
^ ECT
^ IAT
^ MAF
^ TP Angle
^ Loop Status Bank 1
^ Loop Status Bank 2
^ HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1
^ HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2
^ HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 1
^ HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 2
^ Short Term FT Bank 1
^ Short Term FT Bank 2
^ LTFT Bn 1-Cruise/Accel
^ LTFT Bn 2-Cruise/Accel
^ Spark Advance

FAILURE RECORD will store the following:
^ DTC #
^ Distance Since 1st Fail
^ Eng. Run Since 1st Fail
^ Engine Speed
^ Vehicle Speed
^ Engine Load
^ Current Gear
^ Startup ECT
^ ECT
^ Eng. at Operating Temp.
^ IAT
^ APP Angle
^ Engine Idling
^ Desired Idle Speed
^ TP Angle
^ Throttle Plate at Idle
^ Throttle Plate at WOT MAF
^ MAF Sensor
^ Main Relay Command
^ Fuel Pump Relay Command
^ Fuel Level
^ Fuel Tank Pressure
^ EVAP Purge Solenoid DC
^ EVAP Vent Solenoid
^ Decel Fuel Cutoff
^ Power Enrichment
^ Loop Status Bank 1
^ Loop Status Bank 2
^ HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 1
^ HO2S Bank 1 Sensor 2
^ HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 1
^ HO2S Bank 2 Sensor 2
^ Short Term FT Bank 1
^ Short Term FT Bank 2
^ LTFT Bn 1-Idle/Decel
^ LTFT Bn 1-Cruise/Accel
^ LTFT Bn 2-Idle/Decel LTFT Bn 2-Cruise/Accel
^ IMRC Solenoid
^ Cooling Fan Relay Cmd
^ A/C High Side Pressure
^ Brake Switch
^ Cruise Brake Switch
^ Cruise Engaged
^ Cruise Switch
^ Cruise Set/Coast
^ Cruise Resume/Accel
^ Generator L Terminal
^ Ignition 1
^ Low Oil Pressure
^ Engine Run Time