Repair Info - Diagnostic Trouble Codes
1998 and newer light-duty vehicles are equipped with an OBD system (some 1996-97 vehicles are also). This is an on-board diagnostic system that continuously checks the condition and operation of key emissions control components and emissions-related systems in your vehicle. If your OBD system finds an emissions-related problem, it will illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and store one or more Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). In other words, a vehicle with an illuminated MIL has an emissions problem, and the DTC(s) help to identify the cause of the problem.
Below is a tool to find definitions for generic DTCs. Generic DTCs have standardized definitions used by all vehicle manufacturers. However, there may be cases where a manufacturer has deviated from these standard definitions for generic DTCs. For manufacturer-specific DTCs the best source of information is the service manual for the specific vehicle in question.
Important: a DTC definition does not always indicate the actual cause of the defect - it describes a defective condition and refers a technician to a diagnostic path that should be followed to pinpoint the cause of the problem.
Lookup A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Definition
Enter a valid generic DTC in the box below, and the definition will be shown.
Notes:
* Reprinted from SAE J2012 Spreadsheet © 2009 SAE International
a - The “A” camshaft shall be either the “intake”, “left”, or “front” camshaft. Left/Right and Front/Rear are determined as if viewed from the driver's seating position. Bank 1 contains cylinder number one, Bank 2 is the opposite bank.
b - The “B” camshaft shall be either the “exhaust”, “right”, or “rear” camshaft. Left/Right and Front/Rear are determined as if viewed from the driver's seating position. Bank 1 contains cylinder number one, Bank 2 is the opposite bank.
c - DTC Application note for Intake Manifold Tuning Valves and Intake Manifold Runner controls: Active controls are used to modify or control airflow within the engine air intake system. These controls may be used to enhance or modify in-cylinder airflow motion (charge motion), modify the airflow dynamics (manifold tuning) within the intake manifold or both. Devices that control charge motion are commonly called Intake Manifold Runner Control, Swirl Control Valve, and Charge Motion Control Valve. The ISO/SAE recommended term for any device that controls charge motion is Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC). Devices that control manifold dynamics or manifold tuning are commonly called Intake Manifold Tuning Valve, Long/Short Runner Control and Intake Manifold Communication Control. The SAE recommended term for any device that controls manifold tuning is Intake Manifold Tuning (IMT) Valve.
d - Use P2177 - P2180 for fuel systems with multiple load ranges.
e - The “A” rocker arm actuator shall be either the “intake”, “left”, or “front” rocker arm actuator. Left/Right and Front/Rear are determined as if viewed from the driver's seating position. Bank 1 contains cylinder number one, Bank 2 is the opposite bank. Where only one rocker arm actuator is used for both conditions “A” and “B”, use the DTCs for “A”.
f - The “B” rocker arm actuator shall be either the “exhaust”, “right”, or “rear” rocker arm actuator. Left/Right and Front/Rear are determined as if viewed from the driver's seating position. Bank 1 contains cylinder number one, Bank 2 is the opposite bank. Where only one rocker arm actuator is used for both conditions “A” and “B”, use the DTCs for “A”.
1 - For DTCs P0540 - P0543 also see P2604 - P2609
2 - For DTCs P0578 - P0581 also see P0564
3 - DTCs P2141 - P2142 should be used with P0487 - P0488
4 - P2231 - P2236, This diagnostic is for the sensors (both wide band and switching) that have a PWM controlled heater. If the heater shorts to the signal circuit, the control module can determine this since the signal circuit will be shorted high at the same frequency that the heaters are operating at.
5 - P2237 - P2256, These are the diagnostics for the primary circuits of the wide band oxygen sensors.
6 - For DTCs P2505 - P2509 also see P0685
7 - For DTCs P2604 - P2609 also see P0540 - P0543
8 - For DTCs P2088 - P2095 also see P0010 - P0023
9 - For Throttle Actuator Control DTCs also see P0638 - P0639
