Craftsman 14063 manual OBD2 Terminology

Onboard Diagnostics

COMPUTER ENGINE CONTROLS

„Because OBD1 systems only detect failed components, the degraded components were not setting codes.

„Some emissions problems related to degraded components only occur when the vehicle is being driven under a load. The emission checks being conducted at the time were not performed under simulated driving conditions. As a result, a significant number of vehicles with degraded components were passing Emissions Tests.

„Codes, code definitions, diagnostic connectors, communication protocols and emissions terminology were different for each manufacturer. This caused confusion for the technicians working on different make and model vehicles.

To address the problems made evident by this study, CARB and the EPA passed new laws and standardization requirements. These laws required that vehicle manufacturers to equip their new vehicles with devices capable of meeting all of the new emissions standards and regulations. It was also decided that an enhanced on-board diagnostic system, capable of addressing all of these problems, was needed. This new system is known as “On-Board Diagnostics Generation Two (OBD2).” The primary objective of the OBD2 system is to comply with the latest regulations and emissions standards established by CARB and the EPA.

The Main Objectives of the OBD2 System are:

„To detect degraded and/or failed emissions-related components or systems that could cause tailpipe emissions to exceed by 1.5 times the Federal Test Procedure (FTP) standard.

„To expand emissions-related system monitoring. This includes a set of computer run diagnostics called Monitors. Monitors perform diagnostics and testing to verify that all emissions-related components and/or systems are operating correctly and within the manufacturer’s specifications.

„To use a standardized Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) in all vehicles. (Before OBD2, DLCs were of different shapes and sizes.)

„To standardize the code numbers, code definitions and language used to describe faults. (Before OBD2, each vehicle manufacturer used their own code numbers, code definitions and language to describe the same faults.)

„To expand the operation of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).

„To standardize communication procedures and protocols between the diagnostic equipment (Scan Tools, Code Readers, etc.) and the vehicle’s on-board computer.

OBD2 Terminology

The following terms and their definitions are related to OBD2 systems. Read and reference this list as needed to aid in the understanding of OBD2 systems.

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