Diagnosis System

DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM

1. DESCRIPTION




- When troubleshooting On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) vehicles, the vehicle must be connected to the OBD II scan tool (in compliance with SAE J1978) or the intelligent tester. Various data output from the vehicle's ECM can then be read.
- OBD II regulations require that the vehicle's on-board computer illuminates the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on the instrument panel when the computer detects a malfunction in: 1) the emission control system/components, or 2) the powertrain control components (which affect vehicle emissions), or 3) the computer. In addition, the applicable Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) prescribed by SAE J2012 are recorded in the ECM memory.
If the malfunction does not reoccur in 3 consecutive trips, the MIL turns off automatically but the DTCs remain recorded in the ECM memory.




- To check DTCs, connect the intelligent tester or OBD II scan tool to the Data Link Connector 3 (DLC3) of the vehicle. The intelligent tester or OBD II scan tool also enables you to erase the DTC and check freeze frame data and various forms of engine data (see the instruction manual for the OBD II scan tool or the intelligent tester). The DTC includes SAE controlled codes and manufacturer controlled codes. SAE controlled codes must be set according to the SAE, while manufacturer controlled codes can be set by a manufacturer with certain restrictions.
- The diagnosis system operates in "normal mode" during normal vehicle use. In "normal mode", 2 trip detection logic* is used to ensure accurate detection of malfunctions. A "check mode" is also available to technicians as an option. In "check mode", 1 trip detection logic is used for simulating malfunction symptoms and increasing the system's ability to detect malfunctions, including intermittent malfunctions (intelligent tester only)

- *2 trip detection logic: When a malfunction is first detected, the malfunction is temporarily stored in the ECM memory (1st trip). If the ignition switch is turned OFF and then ON again, and the same malfunction is detected again, the MIL will illuminate (2nd trip).

- Freeze frame data: The ECM records vehicle and driving condition information as freeze frame data the moment a DTC is stored. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can be helpful in determining whether the vehicle was running or stopped, whether the engine was warmed up or not, whether the air/fuel ratio was lean or rich, as well as other data recorded at the time of a malfunction.

Priorities for troubleshooting: When multiple DTCs occur, find out the order in which the DTCs should be inspected by checking the component's DTC chart. If no instructions are written in the DTC chart, check DTCs in following order of priority:

a. DTCs other than fuel trim malfunction DTCs (P0171, P0172, P0174 and P0175) and misfire DTCs (P0300 to P0306).
b. Fuel trim malfunction DTCs (P0171, P0172, P0174 and P0175).
c. Misfire DTCs (P0300 to P0306).