Is Your Check Engine Light On?
Having your “Check Engine” light come on can be a frustrating, not to mention expensive. On Board Diagnostics, or OBD, is a vehicles way of doing its own diagnosis. OBD was pushed by the Government to encourage Auto Manufacturers to reduce emissions by monitoring control systems. In 1988, On Board Dianostic Systems were called OBD I. In 1990, the Clean Air Act mandated that all 1996 and newer vehicles, sold in the United States, must be equipped with such On Board Diagnostics - known as OBD II.
The OBD II system monitors many of the vehicles components that can affect the emissions. If a fault is detected, then the OBD II system will illuminate a warning lamp on the vehicle's instrument panel. This warning lamp is commonly referred to as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), Check Engine Light, or Service Engine Soon Light. The fault is recorded by the vehicle’s computer and can simply be retrieved by a scantool, or often referred to as an OBD II Code Reader. By plugging a scantool into the vehicle’s 16 pin connector, the mystery is unlocked and a diagnosis will appear. This fault information will either put you back in control of fixing the issue or help keep your mechanic honest.
For more information, please see our FAQ section.
Buying a Used Car?
Deciding to buy a used car opens many unknown variables. A vehicle not only needs to be reliable, but it must perform will too. Test driving a used vehicle is obviously not the best test and will not answer all unknown questions. You can easily tell the condition of the vehicle's inside and outside, but do you know what potential hidden issues are under the hood? By simply plugging in a OBD II code reader, you can easily find out the health and any potential troubles. This simple tool provides valuable knowledge and helps protect you and keeps dealers honest.
For more information, this OBD II Code Reader can verify the following:
- VIN Information - match the vehicle's computer to the VIN plate and make sure that the vehicle is not stolen
- Pending Codes - even though the check engine light is not on, there could be pending codes. See what they are before you buy.
- I/M Ready Status - check to see if the car salesman erased the codes before you arrived. If so, then I/M status will state not ready.
Having Trouble With Your Emissions Inspection?
Many states now require On Board Diagnostic checks for emission compliance. To pass the OBD II emission:
Many states now require On Board Diagnostic checks for emission compliance. To pass the OBD II emission:
- MIL or Check Engine Light Must be Off
- Have a Functional Diagnostic Connector (DLC)
- Must successfully complete the System Monitors test
The System Monitor test will run a number of self checks to monitor the well-being of the engine management system:
- Catalyst Monitor
- Misfire
- Evaporative System
- EGR System
- Comprehensive Component
- O2 sensor
- O2 Sensor Heater
- A/C System Refrigerant
If you have an OBD II code reader, with I/M status, then you can access this data and know when your vehicle is ready for inspection. No more wasting time and energy, driving around town, hoping that your vehicle has completed the monitor check.
