What does a diagnostic code on a car mean?

Mechanics can explain to customers what the diagnostic trouble codes mean, and how they should be repaired. Vehicles today are capable of relaying thousands of diagnostic trouble codes to anyone with the equipment to read them. These codes are primarily referenced by auto services.

What do trouble codes mean on a car?

What are Diagnostic Trouble Codes Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are the codes generated and stored by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) when the Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) system indicates a malfunction. Simply put, when your car system diagnoses that something went wrong, it will send a code indicating the specific fault.

What do you need to know about diagnostic trouble codes?

If your vehicle has this system, you need an OBD-II diagnostic scanner to communicate with its OBD system. The diagnostic trouble code is the code your OBD generates to tell you something is wrong.

What is the DTC code on a check engine light?

Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) are automotive computer codes stored by the on-board computer diagnostic system (OBD) in your vehicle. There are literally hundreds of different codes a Check Engine Light can represent.

What is the diagnostic code for a check engine light?

Some Vehicle Specific Codes. Full list of OBD II Diagnostic Trouble Codes. If your Check engine light is on you may have a serious problem. Scan your codes and follow the chart to determine what the code means. Some parts stores will scan your codes for free. Autozone is one place that will give you the code number.

What does a car diagnostic code tell you?

After the car diagnostic is performed, the computer will tag each data point to reveal what needs to be corrected and stores this code so that the technician can look in a specific area for the problem. According to Car2Pro.com, OBD II diagnostic trouble codes can range from P0100 to P1899.

When do you get a diagnostic trouble code?

Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are the codes generated and stored by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) when the Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) system indicates a malfunction. Simply put, when your car system diagnoses that something went wrong, it will send a code indicating the specific fault.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes or OBD-II (in light-duty vehicles) or J1939 (in heavy-duty vehicles) trouble codes are codes that the vehicle’s OBD system uses to notify you about a problem. Each code corresponds to a fault detected in the vehicle.

What are the most common failed emission test codes?

Small leaks easier to find, because to create a vapor-like smoke the machine heats the mineral oil, it may contain dye of UV leak detection. Cycle the purge solenoid and other EVAP self-test can be run using a professional level scan tool which have a bidirectional communication ability. 1. Low Fuel Pressure

What are the codes for OBD-II emissions codes?

OBD-II DTC Codes – P0400-P0499 – Auxiliary Emissions Controls P0400 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected P0402 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Excessive Detected

What is a diagnostic trouble code ( DTC )?

▼ What is a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)? Diagnostic trouble codes (or fault codes) are obd2 codes that are stored by the on-board computer diagnostic system. These are stored in response to a problem found in the car by the system.

What does diagnostic trouble code mean on OBD?

The diagnostic trouble code is the code your OBD generates to tell you something is wrong. The DTC allows you to home in on the system that is not functioning properly. For example, if your vehicle’s OBD detects a leak in the evaporative emission system, you may see a P0442 code.

What does the diagnostic trouble code ( DTC ) mean?

The diagnostic trouble code is the code your OBD generates to tell you something is wrong. Reading as a series of five letters and numbers, the DTC allows you to home in on the system that is not functioning properly.

What does the evaporative emission system leak code mean?

If your OBD-II diagnostic scanner communicates an evaporative emission system leak detected code, you must understand what the code means. While this DTC is generic, it tells you a considerable amount about your vehicle’s evaporative emissions system. Again, this code may show up as P0442.

What does a diagnostic code on a car mean?