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Thread: Code Types & meanings

  1. #1
    Tuner in Training
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    Code Types & meanings

    Hi there,

    Is there a "sticky" or manual which shows what each code type actualy means:

    Eg

    Permanent - No MIL and never goes away
    Current ???
    Pending???
    Old ???
    History???


    Looking to find out how serious each type is?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Tuning Addict 5FDP's Avatar
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    Current code means that it's active and the reason for the check engine light.

    Pending codes can happen if it needs more than one failure to make the SES light come on. Atleast that's how I understand it.

    Old/History is kind of a given, they are codes that happened in the past. Be it pending or current codes that are no longer an active fault.


    Current and pending codes are the most important. Obviously the permanent code is just in the code description when you look at them in the VCM scanner.
    2016 Silverado CCSB 5.3/6L80e, not as slow but still heavy.

    If you don't post your tune and logs when you have questions you aren't helping yourself.

  3. #3
    Tuner in Training
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    Quote Originally Posted by 5FDP View Post
    Current code means that it's active and the reason for the check engine light.

    Pending codes can happen if it needs more than one failure to make the SES light come on. Atleast that's how I understand it.

    Old/History is kind of a given, they are codes that happened in the past. Be it pending or current codes that are no longer an active fault.


    Current and pending codes are the most important. Obviously the permanent code is just in the code description when you look at them in the VCM scanner.
    Thanks for that, That's what I thought. I find it strange that HPT does not have this in a user guide?

  4. #4
    Senior Tuner TheMechanic's Avatar
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    What are Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes?

    Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes (PDTCs) are very similar to regular Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). However, unlike regular DTCs, they cannot be reset by disconnecting the vehicle’s battery or cleared using an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) scan tool. The only way to clear a PDTC is to fix the underlying problem with the vehicle that originally caused the PDTC and its corresponding DTC to set, and then allow the vehicle sufficient drive time to re-run the monitor that identified the problem in the first place. When the monitor runs without identifying a problem, the PDTC will clear itself.

    Unplugging the vehicle’s battery or using a scan tool are techniques sometimes used to clear OBD information for a vehicle that has an illuminated malfunction indicator light in an attempt to hide the fact that the vehicle is malfunctioning. Some of these vehicles can pass a Smog Check inspection before the vehicle can re-identify the underlying problem that set the malfunction indicator light and DTC(s).

    The new criteria will apply to model-year 2010 and newer vehicles that support PDTCs.

    Basically to clear a PDTC you will need to complete the portion of a drive cycle that verifies proper function of system, sensor, or calculation that would cause the code to set.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheMechanic View Post
    What are Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes?

    Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes (PDTCs) are very similar to regular Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). However, unlike regular DTCs, they cannot be reset by disconnecting the vehicle’s battery or cleared using an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) scan tool. The only way to clear a PDTC is to fix the underlying problem with the vehicle that originally caused the PDTC and its corresponding DTC to set, and then allow the vehicle sufficient drive time to re-run the monitor that identified the problem in the first place. When the monitor runs without identifying a problem, the PDTC will clear itself.

    Unplugging the vehicle’s battery or using a scan tool are techniques sometimes used to clear OBD information for a vehicle that has an illuminated malfunction indicator light in an attempt to hide the fact that the vehicle is malfunctioning. Some of these vehicles can pass a Smog Check inspection before the vehicle can re-identify the underlying problem that set the malfunction indicator light and DTC(s).

    The new criteria will apply to model-year 2010 and newer vehicles that support PDTCs.

    Basically to clear a PDTC you will need to complete the portion of a drive cycle that verifies proper function of system, sensor, or calculation that would cause the code to set.
    Thanks