Search | Car Forums | Gallery | Articles | Helper | AF 350Z | IgorSushko.com | Corporate |
| Latest | 0 Rplys |
|
Engineering/Technical Ask technical questions about cars. Do you know how a car engine works? |
Show Printable Version | Email this Page | Subscribe to this Thread |
|
Thread Tools |
10-14-2007, 11:05 AM | #1 | |
AF Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: winnipeg
Posts: 2
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Reading Fault Codes OBD2
Hi
My 'service engine' light is NOT on, but I do have a slight problem with my engines running. My question is, would a fault code reader indicate any errors that would not neccessarily bring the light on? Or does every 'error' in the engine, energize the light. I am just trying to prolong buying the fault code reader until I definitely will have a use for it! Regards Darren |
|
10-14-2007, 11:26 AM | #2 | |
AF -Advisor
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 1,482
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: Reading Fault Codes OBD2
we might be help in figuring out what the problem is by discribing the problem and mentioning what vehicle it is.
Code readers come in many flavors. The very basic ones do nothing but read codes, and if your light isn't on, odds are there are no codes in the computer, so those would do you no good. Some of the higher end code readers can give you a data stream of what the computer is seeing/doing. But there is different levels of what data you will get. Some only tell you the bare basics which isn't terribly helpful. For ALL of the data, you need a manufacture-specific capable machine....and those are pretty spendy. Even then, it doesn't always help you find the problem. Diagnosing problems still relies a lot on knowledge of what causes what, and good-ol' digging around the engine looking for problems in related areas When I have a car I'm diagnosing though, I do usually start off by looking at the data stream, to see if there is any obvious issues that will give me a direction to look. The long term fuel trim is a great piece of info for how the engine management system is doing across the RPM range, as an example
__________________
life begins at 10psi of boost Three turbo'd motorcycles and counting. |
|
10-14-2007, 01:57 PM | #3 | |
Professional Ninja Killer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Penn Hills, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,561
Thanks: 0
Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts
|
Re: Reading Fault Codes OBD2
Make sure the check engine light is working. Mine had three codes but the light bulb had blown
Its supposed to come on for a bit when you turn the key on to start the car for that reason; just to show you it works.
__________________
Dragging people kicking and screaming into the enlightenment. |
|
|
POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD |
|
|