Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)

The software stores a permanent DTC in non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) whenever a DTC is set and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) has been illuminated. Permanent DTCs can only be cleared by the module strategy itself. After a permanent DTC is stored, three consecutive test passed monitoring cycles must complete before the permanent DTC can be erased. The PCM clears the permanent DTCs after one monitoring cycle if a request to clear DTCs is sent by the scan tool and the test subsequently runs and passes. A permanent DTC cannot be erased by clearing the keep alive memory (KAM). The intended use of the permanent DTC is to prevent vehicles from passing an in-use inspection simply by disconnecting the battery or clearing the DTCs with a scan tool prior to the inspection. The presence of the permanent DTCs at an inspection without the MIL illuminated is an indication that a correct repair was not verified by the onboard monitoring system.