What Does Ford Service Departments Use to Read Engine Codes
Guide to OBD codes and how to read them
How to read and translate OBD diagnostic codes
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Agreement OBD codes is a vital attribute of vehicle maintenance as role of a stiff fleet tracking and management strategy.
When the Bank check Engine light pops on, information technology can indicate a wide range of problems with your vehicle. Symptoms of the trouble may not be apparent, and a simple light on its own tin can't tell you lot whether the issue lies with the fuel system, ignition, transmission, computer circuitry, emission controls, or elsewhere.
Modern vehicles have onboard diagnostic computers (OBDs) that enable a mechanic with the right tools to rapidly understand any problem that the vehicle is experiencing. When something goes wrong, the OBD computer stores a five-alphabetic character diagnostic problem code (DTC) that summarizes the consequence at hand. These are likewise commonly known as OBD codes or OBD-II codes.
Through the utilise of an OBD scanner, yous can go this v-letter lawmaking from the vehicle so you know exactly what needs attention.
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How to read OBD codes: Preparation
Reading OBD codes requires an OBD scanner, which can cost between $30 and $60. It's a handheld tool with a sixteen-pin trapezoidal connector that plugs into the vehicle and interprets the OBD code. You don't need any other tools, just admission to the interior of the vehicle.
Stride 1: Plug the OBD scanner into the OBD port
Your OBD scanner has a sixteen-pin trapezoidal connector that fits into the vehicle's OBD port. This is also known as the diagnostic link connector (DLC). Each vehicle has a different location for the OBD port, merely most of the time, you'll find information technology nether the commuter's side dashboard near the pedals. In rare cases, it will be in the center dashboard or beneath the glove compartment. Bank check your owner's manual for the precise location of your DLC.
Footstep two: Turn on the ignition
Turn on the ignition in the vehicle, simply don't beginning the engine. Turning on the ignition volition send power to the OBD scanner, which will brainstorm communicating with the vehicle'due south on-board estimator. You'll see a message similar "establishing link with OBD" while the scanner is initiating.
If the scanner doesn't light up when you switch on the ignition, check the connection between the scanner and the connector pins. If it'south still non working, check whether at that place is ability coming through the motorcar's auxiliary power outlet (aka the cigarette lighter). The OBD system gets its power from the same circuit, so if there's no voltage going to the power outlet, then the OBD scanner won't piece of work either.
Step 3: Enter the Vehicle Identification Number
With some OBD scanners, you'll take to enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model, and engine type of the vehicle. This is because some OBD codes are manufacturer-specific, and then the scanner volition be able to requite you more authentic information if you enter more details near your specific vehicle.
Next, navigate to the Codes carte du jour on your OBD scanner. Each scanner is unlike, but typically, it will exist chosen Codes or Problem Codes.
In many cases, you'll likewise exist asked to choose betwixt Agile Codes and Pending Codes. Active Codes refer to malfunctions that are causing your Check Engine lite to stay on. Pending Codes are errors that have occurred at least once just oasis't yet caused the Bank check Engine light to trip. If the type of mistake happens again, though, the Awaiting Lawmaking will be updated to an Agile Code, and the Cheque Engine light volition turn on.
Step v: Interpret the first graphic symbol of the OBD lawmaking
Now you have the OBD lawmaking, you need to be able to interpret what it means. Each character of the code tells you something about the fault. The first i gives you an overview of the consequence at mitt.
If the first grapheme is a P, at that place's a problem with the powertrain system. If information technology's a B, there'south something wrong in the body organization, which could indicate an issue with the airbags, for example. If the beginning graphic symbol is a C, there's a problem in the chassis, such equally an issue with the anti-lock brakes. If it's a U, the network communication system has an issue.
Step 6: Translate the 2d character of the OBD lawmaking
The second character in the lawmaking defines whether the problem is a generic consequence or a manufacturer-specific issue. When creating the OBD lawmaking system, the Society of Automotive Engineers chose standard codes for problems that can occur on nigh cars. These are known every bit generic codes. Some manufacturers take added their ain codes because their parts aren't accurately reflected in the generic list. These are the manufacturer-specific codes.
Look at the first two characters of the OBD code. If they are P0, P2, P34-P39, B0, B3, C0, C3, U0, or U3, the issue is generic. If they are P1, P30-P33, B1, B2, C1, C2, U1, or U2, the problem is manufacturer specific.
Almost of the time, the issue will exist P0 or P1, which specifies that there'south a problem somewhere in the powertrain organization.
Footstep seven: Interpret the 3rd grapheme of the OBD code
The third character gives u.s. even more specific information on where the trouble lies. Each type of outcome (powertrain, body, chassis, network advice arrangement, etc.) has its ain interpretation for this number.
In the example of powertrain issues, a one indicates a fuel or air metering system problem, a 2 ways at that place's a fuel or air metering injection system issue, a 3 indicates a problem with the ignition arrangement, a 4 is an emissions systems error, a v is a speed command or idle control issue, a half dozen is a computer/electronics problem, and a 7-9 indicates that something's incorrect with the manual.
Stride 8: Translate the final characters of the OBD lawmaking
The last two characters of the OBD lawmaking specify the exact fault. With thousands of potential faults, to get the exact details of the issue, yous'll need to get online and use 1 of the many OBD Code interpretation websites, such as OBD-Codes.com. Enter the full OBD lawmaking, and the website will return full details on the fault experienced and how to fix it.
Summary
Mod vehicles make diagnosing vehicle trouble easier through the use of OBD codes. Yous tin can use an OBD scanner to observe out why your Check Engine light is on. The five-character code details the vehicular arrangement that'southward experiencing a problem, and you tin even interpret the code yourself past examining its characters.
However, there are so many possible OBD codes, it'southward ordinarily easier to enter the OBD code returned by your scanner into an OBD Lawmaking estimation website to discover out what that specific code means.
Further reading
- Our guide to the best GPS armada tracking solutions
- How does fleet management work?
- The best armada management software and services
Richard brings over xx years of website development, SEO, and marketing to the tabular array. A graduate in Informatics, Richard has lectured in Java programming and has built software for companies including Samsung and ASDA. Now, he writes for TechRadar, Tom's Guide, PC Gamer, and Creative Bloq.
Source: https://www.techradar.com/how-to/guide-to-obd-codes-and-how-to-read-them
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