What do you need to know about a DTC fault?
For most drivers, the only indicator of a DTC fault registered in their vehicles Electronics Computer Unit (ECU) is a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or “Check Engine Light” that usually appears on the dashboard.
Where are DTC codes stored in a PMC?
DTC fault codes are stored in the PMC memory when the later identifies a problem. For OBD II systems, they are represented in five-digit alphanumeric code numbers. DTCs that are related to emissions will often start with P0xxx whereas codes starting with P1xxx are manufacture specific and will mostly not trigger the MIL light.
Can a misfire DTC trigger a check engine light?
It is up to the manufacturer whether or not to trigger the Check Engine Light based on the Diagnostic Trouble Code, so a misfire DTC is not the treated with the same severity as an idle-control DTC. In fact, the same make and model manufactured for different markets (Europe vs US) can have sets of triggers, as is the case with the BMW E39 5-series.
What do you need to know about DTC codes?
In fact, DTC codes are reports generated from the functioning of car sensors. In order to comprehensively understand fault codes, it’s necessary to understand the different car sensors in an OBD vehicle. The MAF sensor is used by the vehicles computer in determining the amount of air flowing into the engine.
What happens when the Mil light goes out?
If an intermittent fault does not reoccur after three consecutive trips, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL lamp) will go out but the code will remain in memory. If the fault does not reoccur for for 40 trips, the code will be erased. The only safe way to clear fault codes is to use a scan tool or code reader.
What does the malfunction indicator light ( Mil ) mean?
Depending on how the system is configured and the nature of the problem, the Malfunction Indicator lamp/light may come on and go off, remain on continuously or flash — all of which can be very confusing because you have no way of knowing what the light means. When the OBD II system detects a fault, it sets a “pending code” in cars computer.
What do I need to set my Mil light?
I read through the HP Tuners help file and it says.. This tab controls the setting of the MIL and SES lamps and the reporting of the various DTC codes (Pxxx).
What does a check engine light ( Mil ) mean?
The code might indicate a bad sensor, or it might indicate a loose connector or wiring problem. Harder to diagnose are misfire codes. OBD-2 can detect misfires in individual cylinders as well as random misfires.