Step by step instructions to Read and Understand OBD Codes
You're cruising not far off, making the most of your drive, when out of the blue that most strange of pointers turns on: "Check Engine". What does it mean? The motor is an entirely tremendous and mind boggling machine, so "checking the motor" wouldn't deliver numerous answers. That is the place the OBD-II code peruser comes in. This little gadget will enable you to pinpoint where that mistake is originating from.
Get an OBD-II examine device. You can discover OBD-II examine perusers at numerous on the web and vehicle parts stores. On the off chance that you have a Bluetooth-empowered cell phone, you can download an application to decipher the information and buy an OBD peruser that will show the codes and clarifications straightforwardly on your gadget.
On the off chance that your auto/light truck is more established than 1996 you should buy an OBD-I scanner which are more vehicle particular and don't utilize the widespread OBD-II coding framework. This article focuses on the OBD-II framework.
OBD-II always screens the execution of your motor and Emissions Control System. It will turn on your Check Engine Light at whatever point a breakdown happens that causes the vehicle delivered emanations to be more noteworthy than or equivalent to 150% of the Federal EPA commanded limits.
Find the Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) in your vehicle. This is a to some degree triangular formed 16-stick connector that is generally situated underneath the left hand side of the dash close to the directing section. In the event that you experience difficulty finding the DLC, scan for the area on the web utilizing your auto's model and year, or allude to the proprietor's manual.
Embed the sweep apparatus connector or code peruser into the DLC. Turn your start on, yet don't begin your motor. You will see the scanner start to speak with the installed PCs in your vehicle. Messages like "hunting down convention" and "building up information transmission connect" may show up on the scanner's screen.
On the off chance that the screen remains clear and does not illuminate, shake the connector to accomplish a superior contact between the scanner and DLC connector pins. More established autos specifically may have poorer associations.
On the off chance that despite everything you aren't having any good fortune, make sure that your stogie lighter works. This is on the grounds that the best obd2 scanner utilizes the stogie lighter circuit to give voltage to the DLC. On the off chance that the stogie lighter does not work, find and check the suitable wire.
Enter in your vehicle data. On a few scanners, you should enter your VIN and also the make and model of the vehicle. You may likewise need to determine the motor kind. This procedure will fluctuate contingent upon the scanner.
Discover the menu. At the point when the scanner gets done with booting up, search for a menu. Select "Codes" or "Inconvenience Codes" to open the primary Codes menu. Contingent upon your scanner and year of the vehicle you might be given a couple of frameworks, for example, Engine/Powertrain, Transmission, Airbag, Brakes and so on. When you pick one, you will see at least two sorts of codes. The most widely recognized are Active codes and Pending codes.
Dynamic codes are live codes or breakdowns that are keeping your Check Engine Light on. Because your Check Engine Light is off doesn't mean the code or glitch vanished, it just implies that the code setting conditions haven't happened for at least two tasks of the vehicle.
Pending codes imply that the OBD-II observing framework has fizzled the task of an emanation control framework at any rate once and on the off chance that it flops again the Check Engine Light will be turned on and the breakdown turns into an Active code.
Realize what the numbers mean. P0xxx, P2xxx, and P3xxx are for the most part bland codes that apply to all makes and models. P1xxx codes are maker particular, for example, Honda, Ford, Toyota, and so forth. The second number discloses to you what subsystem the code alludes to. For instance, P07xx codes allude to the transmission.
The last two digits are the particular issue that the code alludes to. Check a code diagram online for points of interest on every particular code.
Analyze your vehicle. The correct analysis of OBD-II codes takes a long time of preparing and practice. For instance, a frail battery or exhausted alternator can set at least five codes in frameworks that are consummately typical. Before endeavoring repairs, comprehend that the codes alone won't disclose to you what parts should be supplanted or what repairs should be made.
On the off chance that you are uncertain of what you are doing, take your auto to an ASE Certified Master Technician with the L1 Advanced Engine Performance Diagnostic accreditation, or you could wind up squandering a great deal of time and cash.
Reset your Check Engine Light. In the event that you've made your repairs, or essentially would prefer not to see your Check Engine Light for some time, you can reset it utilizing most OBD scanners. The light will kill until the point when the auto has been driven a specific measure of time (this shifts from maker to manufacturer).[3]
You can reset the Check Engine Light from the principle menu of generally scanners. It is likewise alluded to as a CEL.