As a truck driver, it is important for you to be able to identify any problems or malfunctions your vehicle might be having timely so that you can get them tended to and fixed as soon as possible prior to them becoming more prominent, more expensive to fix, and more dangerous problems for you in the future. But to identify these problems, you need to have substantial knowledge about what these problems are first of all.
What Are DTC Codes?
DTC refers to the Diagnostic Trouble Code and is often also called engine vehicle fault codes. These are codes usually used to identify problems and malfunctions in a vehicle and tell the driver exactly where or what the problem is.
Your vehicle has its own onboard diagnostic (OBD) system that helps to identify any problems and indicate them by signaling a light on your vehicle’s instrument panel.
Standards For Reading DTC
There are two standards for reading DTC codes, and they include
- OBD2: This is more widely used and is used for vehicles that are light to medium duty. Models of cars and small trucks built after 1996 all comply with OBD2
- J1939: Which is used for vehicles that are heavy-duty or diesel manufactured
Reading OBD2 DTC Codes
There are five characters in a DTC code, each used for telling more about what the problem might be.
The first letter identifies the control system that has been the target of the problem.
These letters might be
- U, which refers to the network and indicates there’s a problem in the vehicle’s computer systems.
- B, which refers to body and indicates there’s a problem in the passenger area
- P, which means powertrain and includes the fuel system, engine, and transmission as the targeted areas of the problem
- C, which refers to chassis and indicates a problem with systems outside of the passenger area, including breaking steering, etc.
The following letter identifies if the code is standardized by the SAE or not in digits.
- 0 means standardized by the SAE
- 1 indicates that code depends on the model number or the manufacturer and is more specific and uncommonly known
- Higher numbers also indicate that the problem might depend on the manufacturer, and these numbers are the most uncommon to come by
Similarly, the next letter is also a letter that refers to the subsystem being targeted.
- 1 – Fuel or air metering system
- 2 – Air metering injection of fuel
- 3 – Ignition
- 4 – Emissions
- 5 – Idle and vehicle speed control
- 6 – Computer Output circuit
- 7 – Related to Transmission
The fourth letter is any digit between 0 and 99 and identifies the exact problem.
FAQs
- How are DTC codes different from just the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)?
- The engine light might only indicate that there is a problem with the vehicle without actually revealing what the problem could be. It is up to the driver to figure out what that problem is. On the other hand, DTC identifies precisely what the problem is and where it might be.
- What are some standard DTC codes for OBD2?
- These can be
- P0500- An issue with the vehicle’s speed sensor
- P0101- Mass Air Flow Circuit problems
- P0110- Intake air temperature sensor circuit issue
Conclusion
Hence, reading DTC codes can be a very convenient skill to have as a truck driver and can make things easier for you in the long run. It can also help to avoid more significant problems in the future.
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