On-Board Diagnostic System Description: Notes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Suzuki Vitara. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
ECM (PCM) in this vehicle has the following functions in compliance with OBD-II regulations.
- When the ignition switch is turned ON with the engine at a stop, MIL (1) turns ON to check the bulb of the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
- When ECM (PCM) detects a malfunction which gives an adverse effect to vehicle emission while the engine is running, it makes the malfunction indicator lamp in the meter cluster of the instrument panel turn ON or flash (flashing only when detecting a misfire which can cause damage to the catalyst) and stores the malfunction area (DTC according to SAE J2012) in its memory.
(If it detects that continuously 3 driving cycles are normal after detecting a malfunction, however, it makes MIL turn OFF although DTC stored in its memory will remain.)
- As a condition for detecting a malfunction in some areas in the system being monitored by ECM (PCM) and turning ON the malfunction indicator lamp due to that malfunction, 2 driving cycle detection logic is adopted to prevent erroneous detection.
- When a malfunction is detected, engine and driving conditions then are stored in ECM (PCM) memory as freeze frame data. (For the details, refer to Freeze Frame Data .)
- It is possible to communicate via DLC (data link connector) (2) by using not only SUZUKI scan tool (3) but also OBD-II generic scan tool which are in compliance with SAE J1978. (Diagnostic information can be accessed by using a scan tool.)