Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
SFI System: Registration
HINT:
The VIN is in the form of a 17-digit alphanumeric vehicle identification number. An intelligent tester is required to register the VIN.
- INPUT INSTRUCTIONS
- The general VIN input instructions using an intelligent tester are explained below.
- The arrow buttons (UP, DOWN, RIGHT and LEFT) and numerical buttons (0 to 9) are used, in order to input the VIN.
- Cursor Operation
To move the cursor around the tester screen, press the RIGHT and LEFT buttons.
- Alphabetical Character Input
- Press the UP and DOWN buttons to select the desired alphabetical character.
- After selection, the cursor should move.
- Numeric Character Input
- Press the numerical button corresponding to the number that you want to input.
- Select or input the correct character using the UP/DOWN buttons, or the numerical buttons.
HINT:
Numerical characters can also be selected and input using the UP and DOWN buttons.
- Correction
- After input, the cursor should move.
- When correcting the input character(s), put the cursor onto the character using the RIGHT or LEFT buttons.
- Finishing Input Operation
- Make sure that the input VIN matches the vehicle VIN after input.
- Press the ENTER button on the tester.
- READ VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- The VIN reading process is explained in a flowchart. This process allows the VIN stored in the ECM to be read in order to confirm that the 2 VINs, provided with the vehicle and stored in the vehicle's ECM, are the same.
- Read the VIN using an intelligent tester.
- Check the vehicle's VIN.
- Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
- Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
- Turn the tester on.
- Enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBDII/VIN.
- WRITE VIN
- The VIN writing process is explained in a flowchart. This process allows the VIN to be input into the ECM. If the ECM is changed, or the 2 VINs do not match, the VIN can be registered, or overwritten in the ECM by following this procedure.
- Write the VIN using the intelligent tester.
- Check the vehicle's VIN.
- Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
- Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
- Turn the tester on.
- Enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II/VIN.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.