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.
Engine (2ZZ-GE): Pre-Check
- DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM
- Description
- When troubleshooting On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) vehicles, the vehicle must be connected to the OBD II scan tool (in compliance with SAE J1978) or the hand-held tester. Various data output from the vehicle's ECM can then be read.
- OBD II regulations require that the vehicle's on-board computer illuminates the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on the instrument panel when the computer detects a malfunction in: 1) the emission control system/components, or 2) the power train control components (which affect vehicle emissions), or 3) the computer. In addition, the applicable Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) prescribed by SAE J2012 are recorded in the ECM memory (See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE TABLE ).
If the malfunction does not recur in 3 consecutive trips, the MIL goes off automatically but the DTCs remain recorded in the ECM memory.
- To check the DTC, connect the hand-held tester or OBD II scan tool to the Data Link Connector 3 (DLC3) of the vehicle. The hand-held tester or OBD II scan tool also enables you to erase the DTC and check the freeze frame data and various forms of engine data (See the instruction manual for the OBD II scan tool or the hand-held tester). The DTC includes SAE controlled codes and manufacturer controlled codes. SAE controlled codes must be set according to the SAE, while manufacturer controlled codes can be set by a manufacturer with certain restrictions (See the DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE TABLE ).
- The diagnosis system operates in "normal mode" during normal vehicle use. In "normal mode", 2 trip detection logic* is used to ensure accurate detection of malfunctions. A "check mode" is also available to technicians as an option. In "check mode", 1 trip detection logic is used for simulating malfunction symptoms and increasing the system's ability to detect malfunctions, including intermittent malfunctions (hand-held tester only) (See step 3).
- *2 trip detection logic:
When a malfunction is first detected, the malfunction is temporarily stored in the ECM memory. This is known as 1st trip detection. If the ignition switch is turned OFF and then ON again, and the same malfunction is detected again, the MIL will illuminate. This is known as 2nd trip detection.
- Freeze frame data:
The freeze frame data records the engine conditions (fuel system, calculated load, engine coolant temperature, fuel trim, engine speed, vehicle speed, etc.) when a malfunction is detected. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determining if the vehicle was running or stopped, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air-fuel ratio was lean or rich, as well as other data from the time when a malfunction occurred.
Priorities for troubleshooting:
When multiple DTCs occur, find out the order in which the DTCs should be inspected by checking the component's DTC table. If no instructions are written in the DTC table, check DTCs in the following order of priority:
- DTCs other than fuel trim malfunction DTCs (P0171 and P0172) and misfire DTCs (P0300 to P0304).
- Fuel trim malfunction DTCs (P0171 and P0172).
- Misfire DTCs (P0300 to P0304).
- Check the DLC3.
The vehicle's ECM uses the ISO 9141-2 for communication protocol. The terminal arrangement of the DLC3 complies with SAE J1962 and matches the ISO 9141-2 format.
DLC3 TERMINALS REFERENCESymbol Name Result (Terminal No.) (Reference terminal) (Condition) SIL Bus "+" line Pulse generation (7) (5 - Signal ground) (During transmission) CG Chassis ground 1 Ω or less (4) (Body ground) (Always) SG Signal ground 1 Ω or less (5) (Body ground) (Always) BAT Battery positive 9 to 14 V (16) (Body ground) (Always) HINT:
Connect the cable of the hand-held tester to the DLC3, turn the ignition switch ON and attempt to use the hand-held tester. If the screen displays UNABLE TO CONNECT TO VEHICLE, a problem exists in the vehicle side or the tester side.
- If the communication is normal when the tool is connected to another vehicle, inspect the DLC3 on the original vehicle.
- If the communication is still impossible when the tool is connected to another vehicle, the problem is probably in the tool itself, so consult the Service Department listed in the tool's instruction manual.
- Inspect the battery voltage.
Battery Voltage: 11 to 14 V
If voltage is below 11 V, recharge the battery before proceeding.
- Check the MIL.
- The MIL comes on when the ignition switch is turned ON and the engine is not running.
HINT:
If the MIL is not illuminated, troubleshoot the MIL circuit (See MIL CIRCUIT ).
- When the engine is started, the MIL should not illuminate. If the lamp remains on, the diagnosis system has detected a malfunction or abnormality in the system.
- The MIL comes on when the ignition switch is turned ON and the engine is not running.
- Description
- DTC CHECK (Normal Mode) NOTE:
- If no DTC appears in normal mode: On the OBD II scan tool or the hand-held tester, check the pending fault code using the Continuous Test Results function (Mode 7 for SAE J1979).
- When the diagnosis system is changed from normal mode to check mode or vice-versa, all DTCs and freeze frame data recorded in normal mode will be erased. Before changing modes, always check and make a note of DTCs and freeze frame data.
- Checking DTCs using the OBD II scan tool or hand-held tester.
- Connect the OBD II scan tool or the hand-held tester to DLC3.
- Turn the ignition switch ON.
- Use the OBD II scan tool or the hand-held tester to check the DTCs and freeze frame data and then write them down.
For the hand-held tester, enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / DTC INFO / CURRENT CODES. For the OBD II scan tool, see its instruction manual.
- See PRE-CHECK to confirm the details of the DTCs.
NOTE: When simulating a symptom with the OBD II scan tool (excluding hand-held tester) to check the DTCs, use the normal mode. For DTC table subject to "2 trip detection logic", perform either of the following actions.- Check the pending fault code:
For the hand-held tester, enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / DTC INFO / PENDING CODES.
- Turn the ignition switch OFF after the symptom is simulated once. Then repeat the simulation process again. When the problem has been simulated twice, the MIL comes on and the DTCs are recorded in the ECM.
- Check the pending fault code using the Continuous Test Results function (Mode 7 for SAE J1979) on the OBD II scan tool.
- Clear the DTCs using the OBD II scan tool or the hand-held tester.
- Connect the OBD II scan tool or the hand-held tester to the DLC3.
- Turn the ignition switch ON.
- Erase DTCs and freeze frame data with the OBD II scan tool (complying with SAE J1978) or the hand-held tester For the hand-held tester: 1) enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / DTC INFO / CLEAR CODES; and 2) press YES. For the OBD II scan tool, see its instruction manual.
- Clear the DTCs not using the OBD II scan tool or the hand-held tester.
Remove the EFI and ETCS fuses from the engine room J/B for more than 60 seconds, or disconnect the battery terminal for more than 60 seconds.
After disconnecting the battery terminal, perform the "INITIALIZE procedure.
- DTC CHECK (Check Mode)
HINT:
Hand-held tester only:
Check mode has a higher sensitivity to detect malfunctions and can detect malfunctions that normal mode cannot detect. Check mode can also detect all the malfunctions that normal mode can detect.
- Follow these steps when preparing to use the hand-held tester check mode.
- Make sure that the items below are true:
- Battery positive voltage 11 V or more
- Throttle valve fully closed
- Transmission in the P or N position
- A/C switched OFF
- Turn the ignition switch OFF.
- Connect the hand-held tester to the DLC3.
- Turn the ignition switch ON.
- Change the ECM to check mode with the hand-held tester. Enter the following menus: DIAGNOSIS / ENHANCED OBD II / CHECK MODE. Make sure the MIL flashes as shown in the illustration.NOTE: All DTCs and freeze frame data recorded will be erased if: 1) the hand-held tester is used to change the ECM from normal mode to check mode or vice-versa; or 2) during check mode, the ignition switch is turned from ON to ACC or OFF.
- Make sure that the items below are true:
- Follow these steps when preparing to use the hand-held tester check mode.
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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.