1. Overview The California Air Resources Board (CARB) began regulating On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) for vehicles sold in California starting with the 1988 model year. The first stage, OBD-I, required monitoring of the fuel metering system, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and additional emission-related components. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) was required to illuminate and warn the driver of a malfunction and the need to repair the emission control system. Associated with the MIL was a trouble code or Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) identifying the specific area of the fault. The OBD system was proposed by CARB to improve air quality by identifying vehicles exceeding emission standards. The passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments also prompted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop on-board diagnostic requirements. CARB OBD-II rules were followed until 1999, when federal standards were used. The OBD-II system complies with government standards by monitoring the emission control system. When a system or component exceeds the emission threshold or the component operates outside its tolerance, a DTC will be stored and the MIL will illuminate. The diagnostic executive is a computer program in the engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) that coordinates the OBD-II self-check system. This program controls all monitors and interactions, the operation of DTCs and the MIL, freeze frame data and the scan tool interface. Freeze frame data describes the stored engine conditions, such as engine status, fuel control status, spark, speed, load and warm-up status at the moment the first malfunction is detected. Previously stored conditions will be replaced only when a fuel or misfire malfunction is detected. This data is available using a scan tool to assist in vehicle repair. The core of the OBD-II system is a microprocessor called the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The ECM or PCM receives data from sensors and other electronic components (switches, relays, etc.). Based on the information received and programmed into its memory (random access memory, etc.), the ECM or PCM generates output signals to control various relays, solenoids and actuators. 2. Hardware Configuration and Related Terms 1) GST (Generic Scan Tool)2) MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) - MIL transistor operationThe Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is connected to the ECM or PCM terminal. Malfunction indicator lamp and battery power (open collector amplifier). In most vehicles the MIL is installed on the instrument panel. The lamp amplifier cannot be damaged by a short circuit. Lamps with power dissipation much larger than the total dissipation of the MIL and lamps in the tester may cause a malfunction indication. ? With the ignition on and engine speed (rpm) < MIN. RPM, the MIL is turned on by the driver for a bulb check. 3) MIL Illumination When the ECM or PCM detects an emission-related malfunction during the first driving cycle, the trouble code and engine data are stored in freeze frame memory. The MIL illuminates only when the ECM or PCM detects the same malfunction related to the same trouble code in two consecutive driving cycles. 4) MIL Extinguishing ? Misfire and fuel system malfunctions: When a misfire or fuel system malfunction occurs, the MIL may be extinguished if the same malfunction is not detected during three subsequent consecutive driving cycles in which conditions are similar to those under which the malfunction was first detected. ? All other malfunctions: For all other malfunctions, the MIL may be extinguished after three subsequent consecutive driving cycles during which the monitoring system is active for the MIL function and no malfunction is detected, and if no other malfunction has been detected that could independently illuminate the MIL under the requirements described above. 5) Trouble Code Erasure The diagnostic system may erase a trouble code if the same malfunction is not re-registered during at least 40 engine warm-up cycles and the MIL is not illuminated for that trouble code. 6) Communication Line (CAN)
Bus Topology: Line (bus) structure
Wiring: Twisted pair
DLC External Cable Length: 5 m max.
Data Transfer Rate
Diagnostics: 500 kbps
Service mode (reprogramming, VIN write): 500 kbps or 1 Mbps
7) Driving Cycle A driving cycle consists of vehicle operation (after engine start-up) for a duration and under driving conditions such that all components and systems are checked at least once by the diagnostic system, except for catalyst efficiency or evaporative system monitoring, which uses steady-state speed checks with limits. All shutdown inhibit conditions specified by the manufacturer must be observed. At least once during the first part of the engine start-up of the applicable FTP cycle. 8) Warm-up Cycle A warm-up cycle means sufficient vehicle operation such that the engine coolant temperature has risen at least 40 °F from engine start-up and reaches a minimum temperature of at least 160 °F. 9) Trip Cycle A trip cycle is when the vehicle operates under conditions for one or more monitors. After repair of a vehicle due to an emission-related malfunction, operating the vehicle under monitor-enabling conditions for the system is considered a shutdown. 10) Trouble Code Format
Diagnostic Trouble Code (SAE J2012)
DTCs used in OBD-II vehicles begin with a letter followed by four digits.
The first letter of the DTC identifies the system being monitored: 'P' indicates powertrain, 'C' indicates chassis, 'B' indicates body, and 'U' indicates network or data communication link. The first number indicates whether the code is generic (common to all manufacturers) or manufacturer-specific. '0' and '2' denote generic codes, '1' denotes manufacturer-specific codes. The second digit indicates the system affected, a number from 1 to 7. The list below shows which numbers are assigned to each system.
Fuel and Air Metering
Fuel and Air Metering (injector circuit malfunction only)
Ignition System or Misfire
Supplemental Emission Control Monitors
Vehicle Speed Control and Idle Control System Monitors
Computer Output Circuits
Infection Transmission
The last two digits of the DTC indicate the component or section of the system in which the malfunction is located. 11) Freeze frame data: When a freeze frame event is triggered by an emission-related DTC, the ECM or PCM stores various vehicle information as it existed at the moment the malfunction occurred. The DTC number together with engine data can help the technician locate the cause of the malfunction. Once the DTC data from the first driving cycle is stored in freeze frame memory, it remains there even if the malfunction occurs again (second driving cycle) and the MIL illuminates.
Freeze Frame List
Calculated Load Value
Engine Speed
Fuel Trim
Fuel Pressure (if available)
Vehicle Speed (if available)
Engine Coolant Temperature
Intake Manifold Pressure (if available)
Closed Loop or Open Loop Operation
Malfunction Code
3. OBD-II Readiness Monitors
1) Catalyst Monitor
The catalyst monitor is a self-diagnostic strategy within the ECM or PCM that uses the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) downstream of the catalytic converter to determine when the catalyst has deteriorated below the minimum efficiency needed to control exhaust emissions.
2) Misfire Monitor
A misfire is defined as the lack of proper combustion in a cylinder due to lack of spark, poor fuel metering, or poor compression. Any combustion that occurs outside the cylinder or at the wrong time is also a misfire. The misfire monitor detects fuel, ignition, or mechanical misfires. The purpose is to protect the catalytic converter from irreversible damage and to alert the customer of an emissions failure or a service requirement by illuminating the MIL. When a misfire is detected, a special software function called freeze frame data is activated. Freeze frame data captures the vehicle operating conditions at the moment the misfire monitor detects a malfunction.
3) Fuel System Monitor
The fuel system monitor is a self-diagnostic strategy within the ECM or PCM that monitors the adaptive fuel table. The fuel control system uses the adaptive fuel table to compensate for normal variability of fuel system components caused by wear or aging. During normal vehicle operation, if the fuel system runs lean or rich, the adaptive value table shifts the fuel delivery calculations to remove the bias.
4) Engine Cooling System Monitor
The cooling system monitor is a self-diagnostic strategy within the ECM or PCM that monitors the ECT (engine coolant temperature) sensor and thermostat for circuit continuity, range/performance, and rationality faults.
5) Oxygen Sensor Monitor
OBD-II regulations require monitoring of the oxygen sensor (HO2S) to detect sensor deterioration that exceeds threshold values. The secondary oxygen sensor is located downstream of the warm-up three-way catalytic converter (WU-TWC) to determine catalyst efficiency. Although the downstream HO2S is of the same type used for fuel control, it operates differently. The downstream HO2S is monitored to determine whether voltage is generated. This voltage is compared with the calibrated permissible range.
6) EVAP System Monitor
The EVAP monitor is a self-diagnostic strategy within the ECM or PCM that checks the integrity of the EVAP system. The complete evaporative system detects leaks, or combined leaks, that are equal to or greater than a leak caused by a 0.040 inch and a 0.020 inch orifice.
7) A/C System Monitor
The A/C system monitor is a self-diagnostic strategy within the ECM or PCM that monitors the A/C system for malfunctions of all A/C system components. NA.
8) Comprehensive Component Monitor
The comprehensive component monitor is a self-diagnostic strategy within the ECM or PCM that detects malfunctions of any electronic component or transmission system that provides input to the ECM or PCM and is not exclusively an input for any other OBD-II monitor.
9) A/C Component Monitor
Requirement: If the vehicle includes an engine control strategy that disables fuel and/or spark control at idle when the A/C system is on, the OBD II system must monitor all electronic A/C system components for malfunctions that prevent the system from causing the alternate control when the A/C is on, or that cause the system to cause the alternate control when the A/C is off. In addition, the OBD II system must monitor for malfunctions all electronic A/C system components that are used as part of the diagnostic strategy for any other monitored system or component.
Implementation Plan: No engine control strategy is included that changes the idle fuel and/or spark control position when the A/C system is on. A/C system component malfunctions are not used as part of the diagnostic strategy for another monitored system or component.
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