Below are some auto troubleshooting terms which may be of help in understanding diagnostic services:
auto diagnostics
Discovering the exact cause of what’s wrong with your car. Auto diagnostics now-days especially means on-board diagnostics (OBD) readable from each car’s individual computer, for smog control purposes.
Also known as: diagnostic, auto diagnostic, OBD, OBDII, OBD2
auto diagnostic equipment
The diagnostic tools for reading the OBDII diagnostic trouble codes from your car’s computer. This can be done with a diagnostic code reader or a diagnostic scan tool.
Also known as: diagnostic, diagnostic tools, auto diagnostics, OBDII diagnostic scan tool
auto diagnostic scan
The process of reading your car’s computer, or PCM, for diagnostic trouble codes indicated by the Check Engine Light coming on. The diagnostic scan is done with an OBD diagnostic tool known as a scan tool.
Also known as: diagnostic tool, OBD diagnostic scan tool
auto diagnostic standardization
One of the main purposes of OBDII. In 1996, OBDII brought standardized connectors, standardized protocols, and other standardized elements to improve diagnostics for emission problems.
catalytic converter failure
One of the main causes of OBD diagnostic failure codes, Check Engine Light displays, and emission test failures. The catalytic converter turns various exhaust air pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOX), into harmless carbon dioxide (CO2) and water.
Check Engine Light
The result of OBD diagnostic trouble codes. When the Check Engine Light comes on, also known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp, you have problems with your car’s emission control system recorded in your car’s on-board diagnostic (OBD) computer as OBDII diagnostic trouble codes.
common diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)
Diagnostic codes often associated with OBDII emission test failures. OBDII diagnostic codes from bad catalytic converters are pretty high on the list, but diagnostic codes related to other systems may rank even higher. In particular, OBD diagnostic codes are common for problems with the evaporative emission system (EVAP), engine misfiring, and lean fuel mixture. Oxygen sensor system and exhaust gas recirculation OBD codes are also possible.
diagnostic
An on-board diagnostic car computer, or OBD. The on-board diagnostic computer turns on your Check Engine Light and sets diagnostic trouble codes for fixing problems with your car’s emission system.
Also known as: diagnostics, auto diagnostic, OBD
diagnostic code reader
The most basic auto diagnostic tool. The OBD diagnostic code reader is a less expensive tool with limited function that will read diagnostic trouble codes from your car’s OBD computer.
Also known as: diagnostic tool, auto diagnostic code reader, OBD diagnostic tool
diagnostic scan tool
The more advanced OBD diagnostic tool. The OBD diagnostic scan tool may cost several hundred dollars, and will give the user more information regarding the diagnostic trouble codes than will the simpler diagnostic code reader.
Also known as: diagnostic tool, auto diagnostic scan tool, OBD diagnostic scan tool
diagnostic tools
Tools for scanning the car’s OBD computer, or PCM, for auto diagnostic trouble codes and related information. Auto diagnostic tools include the more basic OBD diagnostic code reader, and the more advanced OBD diagnostic scan tool.
Also known as: OBD diagnostic tools, OBD diagnostics
diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)
Basic auto diagnostics information from your car’s on-board diagnostic (OBD) computer, or PCM. OBDII diagnostic trouble codes are five-digit codes specifying problems related to smog control. For example, OBD diagnostic codes related to your car’s powertrain run between P0100 and P1899, and codes related to the auto body or auto chassis start with ‘B’ and ‘C’ respectively. The third digit of the OBD code specifies the major area of problem; for example ‘1’ points to a problem with fuel or air, and ‘2’ to the injector circuit. OBD diagnostic trouble codes come in two major types: generic diagnostic codes, and enhanced diagnostic codes (OEM diagnostic codes). It’s important to realize that by itself, the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) does NOT tell you exactly what needs to be done: determining why the diagnostic code is there or the exact cause of the failure may be harder.
Also known as: diagnostic codes, auto diagnostic codes, OBD codes, OBDII codes
enhanced diagnostic trouble codes
OBD diagnostic codes that are specific to a particular car manufacturer, as opposed to generic diagnostic codes which apply to all automotive makes. Enhanced OBD diagnostic codes are also known as OEM (original equipment manufacturer) diagnostic codes, and cover nonemission diagnostic problems.
Also known as: enhanced OBD diagnostic codes, OEM OBD diagnostic codes
evaporative emission control system (EVAP) failure
One of the most common reasons for OBD diagnostic trouble codes and emission test failures, perhaps accounting for nearly 25%. The EVAP system keeps raw gas vapors from getting into the air. The most common reason for one OBD EVAP diagnostic code is having a loose fuel tank cap (gas cap) or a missing gas cap. Other EVAP problems that result in OBD EVAP diagnostic codes are broken or loose gas tank hoses, or a leaky charcoal cannister for capturing gas vapors.
Also known as: diagnostic code, OBDII diagnostic code, OBD2 diagnostic code
exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) failure
A source of OBDII diagnostic codes and emission failures. The EGR sends exhaust back to the intake manifold for the purpose of lowering NOX air pollution.
Also known as: diagnostic code, OBDII diagnostic code, OBD2 diagnostic code
generic diagnostic trouble codes
OBD generic diagnostic codes are those that cover all automotive makes, rather than being specific to a particular make; diagnostic codes specific to a make are known instead as enhanced OBD diagnostic codes or OEM codes.
Also known as: generic OBD diagnostic codes, generic diagnostic code
malfunction indicator lamp
The warning light that comes on as a result of emission problems recorded as OBD diagnostic trouble codes. When the Malfunction Indicator Lamp comes on, which you see as the Check Engine Light, you have emission trouble, with OBDII diagnostic trouble codes recorded in your car’s on-board diagnostic computer (OBD).
OBD (on-board diagnostic)
The diagnostic trouble codes in your on-board diagnostic (OBD) vehicle computer. The OBD diagnostic codes are primarily for identifying emission problems, but there are some nonemission OBD diagnostic codes as well.
Also known as: diagnostic, auto diagnostic, OBDII, OBD2, OBD II, OBD 2
OBDII (on-board diagnostic)
The current standardized version of diagnostic trouble code information for emission problems and some nonemission issues. Beginning in 1994 and especially in 1996, OBDII replaced the earlier OBD system on newly manufactured cars.
Also known as: diagnostic, auto diagnostic, OBDII, OBD2, OBD II, OBD 2
powertrain contol module (PCM)
The car’s on-board diagnostic computer or OBD. The PCM turns on the Check Engine Light and generates OBD diagnostic codes in response to auto emission problems.
Also known as: OBD computer
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