I am using a PT Cruiser, 2001 LE w/2.4 Litre Engine, 5-Speed Manual. How long do the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) stay within the computer after a Malfunction is indicated on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)? I have read that I can read the DTC on the odometer by turning the ignition key in the following sequence within 5 seconds:
ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON
they stay until the problem is fixed or go away, and yes that is how to read the codes.
Negative! MIL stays on for 3 "good trips" - a "good trip" is loosely defined as the diagnostic routine that ran and failed, ran again and passed. 1 good trip per key cycle max. The fault code remains in memory for 40 warmup cycles. 1 warmup cycle is engine temp increases by 40 degrees after startup, temp must cross the 160 degree F boundary and the fault doesn't reoccur. max 1 warmup cycle per key cycle.
Bill
ummm wouldn't a good trip mean the problem was fixed or went away?
Yes, but the federal govt says that it has to check good 3 times before the MIL can be turned off. So one of the first diagnostic steps is to read the fault code and see if there are any good trips. If the good trip counter has incremented higher than 0, then it is an intermittent problem. If the good trip counter is still at 0, then either the test has rerun and failed again OR the driver has not met the enabling conditions for the test to run since the last failure. At this point the next diagnostic step would be to (with the DRB3 or the Starscan) go drive the vehicle, meet the enabling conditions (which are visible on the DRB3 and in a easy to decipher format) run the monitor that failed and see if it passes now. If it fails, then it is still broke. This is just a bit of what is taught to every DCX technician that comes to the OBD2 classes, most diagnosis problems emanate from the fact that most people working on "check engine light" problems DON'T HAVE THE PROPER TRAINING. Next time you take your car in, find out if the guy working on it has the proper FACTORY training. If you take it in for a check engine light on, the proper courses for 2004 that he should have completed are #0831224 Next Generation Engine Mgt. Part 2 (intro to OBD2) and #0841916 Next Generation Engine Mgt. Part 3 (Advanced OBD2 Diagnosis). There are other classes that have to be completed before they can get to these classes (just like college, you must take the lower level classes to qualify for the higher level classes). If he had the earlier OBD course (prior years) then to keep him current for 04, he has to complete #0850808 OBD2 update (during the 04 calendar year). If he has not completed these courses then he PROBABLY is not qualified to work on the problem and the dealer (who assigned him the job) is WASTING your money. Or DCX's money (and your time) if it's warranty.
Bill
"Punch" wrote in message news:DfgQc.35609$ snipped-for-privacy@news20.bellglobal.com...
Yes, but the federal govt says that it has to check good 3 times before the MIL can be turned off. So one of the first diagnostic steps is to read the fault code and see if there are any good trips. If the good trip counter has incremented higher than 0, then it is an intermittent problem. If the good trip counter is still at 0, then either the test has rerun and failed again OR the driver has not met the enabling conditions for the test to run since the last failure. At this point the next diagnostic step would be to (with the DRB3 or the Starscan) go drive the vehicle, meet the enabling conditions (which are visible on the DRB3 and in a easy to decipher format) run the monitor that failed and see if it passes now. If it fails, then it is still broke. This is just a bit of what is taught to every DCX technician that comes to the OBD2 classes, most diagnosis problems emanate from the fact that most people working on "check engine light" problems DON'T HAVE THE PROPER TRAINING. Next time you take your car in, find out if the guy working on it has the proper FACTORY training. If you take it in for a check engine light on, the proper courses for 2004 that he should have completed are #0831224 Next Generation Engine Mgt. Part 2 (intro to OBD2) and #0841916 Next Generation Engine Mgt. Part 3 (Advanced OBD2 Diagnosis). There are other classes that have to be completed before they can get to these classes (just like college, you must take the lower level classes to qualify for the higher level classes). If he had the earlier OBD course (prior years) then to keep him current for 04, he has to complete #0850808 OBD2 update (during the 04 calendar year). If he has not completed these courses then he PROBABLY is not qualified to work on the problem and the dealer (who assigned him the job) is WASTING your money. Or DCX's money (and your time) if it's warranty.
Bill
"Punch" wrote in message news:DfgQc.35609$ snipped-for-privacy@news20.bellglobal.com...
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