Need a Scan Tool Capable of Reading Body/chassis Codes

Guide to OBD codes and how to read them

How to read and translate OBD diagnostic codes

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Understanding OBD codes is a vital aspect of vehicle maintenance as part of a strong fleet tracking and management strategy.

When the Cheque Engine low-cal pops on, information technology can betoken a broad range of issues with your vehicle. Symptoms of the trouble may not be apparent, and a unproblematic light on its own can't tell you whether the issue lies with the fuel organisation, ignition, transmission, reckoner circuitry, emission controls, or elsewhere.

Modern vehicles have onboard diagnostic computers (OBDs) that enable a mechanic with the right tools to rapidly empathize any problem that the vehicle is experiencing. When something goes wrong, the OBD figurer stores a five-letter diagnostic problem lawmaking (DTC) that summarizes the outcome at hand. These are also commonly known as OBD codes or OBD-2 codes.

Through the use of an OBD scanner, you tin become this five-letter code 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 $thirty and $threescore. It's a handheld tool with a 16-pin trapezoidal connector that plugs into the vehicle and interprets the OBD code. Y'all don't need whatsoever other tools, only access to the interior of the vehicle.

Stride one: Plug the OBD scanner into the OBD port

Your OBD scanner has a xvi-pin trapezoidal connector that fits into the vehicle's OBD port. This is besides known as the diagnostic link connector (DLC). Each vehicle has a different location for the OBD port, just well-nigh of the time, you lot'll find information technology under the driver'south side dashboard almost the pedals. In rare cases, information technology will exist in the center dashboard or below the glove compartment. Check your owner's transmission for the precise location of your DLC.

Pace 2: Turn on the ignition

Turn on the ignition in the vehicle, merely don't first the engine. Turning on the ignition will send power to the OBD scanner, which will begin communicating with the vehicle'south on-board computer. Yous'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 connexion between the scanner and the connector pins. If it's still not working, cheque whether there is ability coming through the car's auxiliary power outlet (aka the cigarette lighter). The OBD system gets its power from the same circuit, and so if at that place'southward no voltage going to the ability outlet, then the OBD scanner won't work either.

Step 3: Enter the Vehicle Identification Number

With some OBD scanners, you'll have to enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model, and engine type of the vehicle. This is because some OBD codes are manufacturer-specific, so the scanner will be able to give you more authentic information if y'all enter more details about your specific vehicle.

Next, navigate to the Codes menu on your OBD scanner. Each scanner is different, but typically, information technology will be called Codes or Trouble Codes.

In many cases, you lot'll also be asked to cull between Active Codes and Pending Codes. Active Codes refer to malfunctions that are causing your Check Engine light to stay on. Pending Codes are errors that have occurred at to the lowest degree one time but haven't yet acquired the Check Engine calorie-free to trip. If the type of error happens over again, though, the Pending Code volition exist updated to an Active Code, and the Check Engine lite volition turn on.

Step v: Translate the first graphic symbol of the OBD lawmaking

Now you have the OBD code, you lot need to be able to interpret what information technology means. Each character of the code tells you something about the error. The first one gives you lot an overview of the issue at paw.

If the kickoff character is a P, there's a problem with the powertrain organisation. If it's a B, there's something wrong in the trunk system, which could indicate an issue with the airbags, for case. If the get-go character is a C, there'due south a trouble 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: Interpret the second character of the OBD code

The second character in the code defines whether the problem is a generic result or a manufacturer-specific issue. When creating the OBD code system, the Social club of Automotive Engineers chose standard codes for problems that tin occur on most cars. These are known equally generic codes. Some manufacturers accept 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 ii characters of the OBD code. If they are P0, P2, P34-P39, B0, B3, C0, C3, U0, or U3, the upshot is generic. If they are P1, P30-P33, B1, B2, C1, C2, U1, or U2, the problem is manufacturer specific.

Nigh of the fourth dimension, the issue will be P0 or P1, which specifies that there'southward a trouble somewhere in the powertrain system.

Step vii: Interpret the tertiary character of the OBD lawmaking

The third character gives u.s.a. fifty-fifty more specific information on where the problem lies. Each type of issue (powertrain, body, chassis, network communication system, etc.) has its ain interpretation for this number.

In the instance of powertrain problems, a 1 indicates a fuel or air metering organisation problem, a 2 means there's a fuel or air metering injection system event, a 3 indicates a trouble with the ignition organization, a 4 is an emissions systems error, a five is a speed command or idle control issue, a 6 is a computer/electronics problem, and a seven-9 indicates that something's wrong with the transmission.

Pace viii: Translate the final characters of the OBD code

The final ii characters of the OBD code specify the exact error. With thousands of potential faults, to get the exact details of the upshot, you lot'll need to get online and use 1 of the many OBD Code interpretation websites, such equally OBD-Codes.com. Enter the total OBD code, and the website will return full details on the mistake experienced and how to fix it.

Summary

Mod vehicles brand diagnosing vehicle trouble easier through the use of OBD codes. You tin can use an OBD scanner to observe out why your Bank check Engine light is on. The five-character code details the vehicular arrangement that's experiencing a problem, and you can even interpret the lawmaking yourself past examining its characters.

Yet, there are and then many possible OBD codes, it's usually easier to enter the OBD lawmaking returned by your scanner into an OBD Code estimation website to find out what that specific lawmaking means.

Mack Aread1979