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Help...Check Engine Light

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by Lowell_Greenberg, Apr 13, 2019.

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  1. Apr 14, 2019 #21
    MNSteve

    MNSteve Well-Known Member

    Doesn't the OBD system have a memory of recent events? Can one see what happened even when the check-engine light has reset?

    My experience with these OBD error codes is that they're pretty cryptic. Knowing the code and the one-line "explanation" might not help much without someone to interpret it.
     

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  2. Apr 15, 2019 #22
    Thevenin

    Thevenin Member

    The ECU records the most recent Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) on most vehicles. Sometimes when a DTC trips, it will take a flash of all active PIDs (temperature, RPM, etc). If you request trouble codes through OBD2, the ECU should report appropriately. But that is as far as my knowledge goes.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDs#Service_02

    DTCs can be pretty cryptic, but they're a terrific starting point for for you to narrow down potential causes. In my old Pontiac, I had a P0420 (vapor pressure alarm) code that haunted me whenever I filled up the tank. AutoZone tried to sell me several hundred dollars' worth of O₂ sensors, and the mechanic would've tried to replace my catalytic converter. But armed with the error code and Google, I figured out that my habit of "topping off" the tank was forcing fuel into the vapor recovery system, tripping the pressure sensor. I stopped topping off the tank, and stopped getting the light.
     
  3. Apr 15, 2019 #23
    el kepis

    el kepis New Member

    The exact thing happened to my 2019 Touring with 800 miles on it. Exact thing. A search of this site pointed me in the right direction and calmed my worries.
    After several "re-starts" all the system error messages went away except the CEL, which stayed on. Car was driveable.
    A trip to the dealer 24 hours later, he read the codes and reset. Said it was a know thing, some low-voltage reading during charging can trip the codes.
    All good now, 5 days later. But weird when it happened.
     
  4. Apr 15, 2019 #24
    Lowell_Greenberg

    Lowell_Greenberg Active Member

    Well they found multiple DTC codes: p1d00, u0200. U1204. U1600, u160c. They cleared all of them, found they did not reset and checked connections at battery control module. They charged the battery at 220v several times and found no issues. The conclusion was that if the situation reoccurs- they will troubleshoot further.

    They mentioned a blog/bulletin board that suggested the above should resolve it. But unless I am missing something, I am unclear how anything they did is not equivalent to being unable to find cause and hoping it never comes back. Am I right?

    Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
     
  5. Apr 15, 2019 #25
    craze1cars

    craze1cars Well-Known Member

    You are right. They have no idea what happened and are hoping it doesn’t happen again.
     

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  6. Apr 15, 2019 #26
    Lowell_Greenberg

    Lowell_Greenberg Active Member

    Well- the service advisor did call me back. He said they basically plugged in the car and the clearing of codes AND software updates took place automatically. However they did not spell out what updates took place. I can't believe coming back for the same issue will serve mine or their interest. So I will keep my fingers crossed- and talk to the car daily about being predictable and well behaved:)

    Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
     
    MPower likes this.
  7. Apr 15, 2019 #27
    MNSteve

    MNSteve Well-Known Member

    The good news is that a few folks here have reported that they had issues very early in the life of their car that went away and never happened again. My uneducated guess is an issue with the 12 volt battery, which could indeed clear up on its own.
     
    Lowell_Greenberg likes this.
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