How to Read Codes.on 2014 Chevy Malibu

The Check Engine Calorie-free turning on is ordinarily a topic auto owners try to avoid talking too much about. Information technology can be quite intimidating to come across that lilliputian light on your vehicle'due south dashboard of a sudden illuminate, just in reality, it is non something that should paralyze you in fear right away. Past preparing yourself with a little automotive cognition, a helpful tool, and general background information on what this light is actually trying to tell y'all, y'all volition not only gain more peace of mind, you will also develop a closer human relationship to your vehicle.

Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) are automotive computer codes stored by the on-board calculator diagnostic system (OBD) in your vehicle. There are literally hundreds of different codes a Check Engine Light can represent. While that sounds daunting, with a footling patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you useful noesis about your vehicle and volition also allow that Check Engine Light to do what it is actually supposed to exercise: be your guide.

In that location are two acronyms to be aware of when it comes to discovering more nigh Check Engine Lights. These ii acronyms are OBD and DTC.

• Tip: OBD codes refers to nearly the same affair as DTC codes, therefore you will ofttimes hear them used interchangeably in the automotive industry. OBD codes are most ofttimes referred to as OBD-II, which has been the code type since 1996.

Unfortunately, obvious and helpful vehicle symptoms do not always back-trail an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since in that location are hundreds of possible OBD codes, there are besides hundreds of possible reasons for the light, including:

• Computer output circuit issues
• Emissions controls issues
• Fuel and air metering systems problems
• Ignition organisation faults
• Speed control and idle bug
• Transmission issues

This is why it is important for someone who does not have a lot of automotive noesis to non assume what a lawmaking means. When your Check Engine Light comes on, you lot should go it checked out apace by a certified mechanic. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you lot risk dissentious your motorcar further past not repairing the issue right away.

• Warning: If the Check Engine Light comes on and flashes, it indicates a very serious concern. Detect a condom place to stop, plough off your automobile, and have it diagnosed and repaired earlier you continue to use information technology.

Inserting and Reading an OBD Scanner

Your Check Engine Light is illuminated when a mistake is detected with one of your vehicle's monitored systems. In social club to find out the reason the light is illuminated, you need to read the codes through the OBD port.

You lot will need an OBD scan tool. The scanner allows you to communicate with the computer and recall the trouble codes. Certain scanners may requite information on what the revealed code means, but most volition just give a v digit number and letter combination.

Follow these iv steps to insert and read the OBD scanner:

Footstep one: Locate your vehicle's OBD port. The almost common mounting location for an OBD port is under the driver's side of the dash nearly the pedals.

It legally has to be within iii feet of the steering wheel and must not require tools to admission it.

The connector is a female person xvi-pivot connector that is trapezoidal in shape.

Step 2: Plug your OBD scan tool into the connector. The scan tool'due south male end volition just fit one style onto the vehicle's connector.

The browse tool volition power up as soon as information technology has been plugged in.

Step 3: Read the codes in the computer. Each scan tool will have dissimilar instructions on how to operate it, and so read yours carefully.

Navigate to a heading chosen "Read Codes" and select it.

Step 4: Record the codes that display. If at that place are multiple codes, they may cycle through or yous may accept to press a push to view the adjacent code.

• Tip: Information technology is very important to write these codes down in the same order every bit displayed on the scanner. However, the OBD codes volition always appear on your scanner when it is plugged into the OBD port or information link connector (DLC).

Interpreting OBD Codes

OBD codes may seem complex, but underneath the letters and numbers, you tin can identify the full general crusade of your lit Bank check Engine Light, assuasive you to have the next necessary steps.

Stride 1: Intermission down your code into sections.

1. The first section is the first grapheme, which is ever a letter.

2. The 2nd section is the adjacent character, which is a single number, from 0 to 3.

3. The third section is the 3rd grapheme, which is a unmarried number from 0 to 9.

4. The quaternary and last section includes both the fourth and fifth characters together, then information technology is a pair of numbers, from 00 to 99.

Step ii: Make up one's mind the meaning of the letter. In that location are four possible letters that can be displayed in the first section.

The letter "P" indicates powertrain-related codes such as those involving the engine or the transmission and their sensors. Typically, "P" codes are the merely ones that volition illuminate the Check Engine Low-cal.

The alphabetic character "B" indicates a torso code, which ways that it relates to a body organisation such as the airbags.

The letter "C" indicates a chassis code, used for systems such equally the anti-lock brakes.

The alphabetic character "U" indicates network codes which are used for problems like module failures and losses of communication.

• Note: Only professional person-class or dealership browse tools are able to diagnose codes exterior of powertrain codes.

Step iii: Determine if the codes are Club of Automotive Engineers (SAE) codes or manufacturer-specific. This is indicated by the kickoff number in the sequence, immediately after the letter.

SAE codes are generic codes that utilize to all makes and models. SAE codes are indicated with a "0" as the second digit.

Manufacturer-specific codes apply a number other than "0" as the second digit.

In general, codes that begin with P0 are generic codes concerning a powertrain issue, whereas codes that brainstorm with P1 are manufacturer-specific.

Step four: Decide which system the code applies to. The third number in the sequence refers to the system that is affected:

• A "1" indicates a fuel or air metering organisation problem, such as an issue with the mass air flow sensor.

• A "2" refers to fuel or air metering injection system bug, such as a fuel injector problem.

• A "3" indicates an ignition-related problem, such as an engine misfire.

• A "four"refers to emissions system problems, similar a catalytic converter efficiency issue.

• A "v" indicates vehicle speed controls and idle control system issues.

• A "6" refers to computer output circuit issues, similar an internal computer failure.

• The numbers "7", "8", or "9" all indicate transmission-related issues, like pressure faults and sensor failures.

Step v: Determine the verbal fault. The last ii numbers provide a description of the fault code. To read the description for your specific problem code, cheque an online source such as OBD-Lawmaking'due south website.

• Tip: You will desire to address the top DTCs kickoff if there are multiple codes. In some cases, the codes lower downwardly on the list may exist symptoms of a code college up on the listing.

It is of import to remember that whatsoever code revealed is only a starting point for proper diagnosis. An OBD code volition only indicate the system experiencing the effect; it volition non tell you why or how to fix information technology. Oftentimes, parts are replaced over and over until information technology is made clear that a lawmaking does non equal the part. Codes tin as well be generated due to temporary problems, such as a loose fuel cap, a poor connection, or even wet affecting 1 of the many sensors' readings. While determining a code may just be the starting betoken, it is cardinal, and taking these get-go steps volition help you to learn more than nearly your vehicle and allow it be your guide.

The statements expressed to a higher place are but for advisory purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

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Source: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-and-understand-check-engine-light-codes-by-jason-unrau

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