Step 2. DTC/Freeze Frame Data Check, Record & Clearance
First, check DTC (including pending DTC). See RETRIEVING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES and PENDING DTC .
If DTC exists, print or write down DTC and freeze frame data and then clear them. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES .
DTC indicates malfunction in the system but it is not possible to know from it whether the malfunction is occurring now or it occurred in the past and past and normal condition has been restored. In order to know that, check symptom in question according to step 5 and then recheck DTC according to Step 6.
Diagnosing a trouble based on the DTC in this step only of failure to clear the DTCs in this step may result in a faulty diagnosis, trouble diagnosis of a normal circuit or difficulty in troubleshooting which is otherwise unnecessary.