unknown code
#1
05-20-2018, 11:02 PM
#3
05-23-2018, 02:30 PM
If the Check Engine light is on and the reader cannot translate the code, or display whatever the code is with out translation, then yes, you need a new scan tool. Resist the temptation to buy tools at Harbor Fright.
Codes should always be displayed as P0nnn or P1nnn, where P0 or P1 indicate generic or unique codes, respectively.
Generic codes always comply with the OBD II conventions, and any car that gives a code, that code always means the same thing. Depending on the car itself, the repair activity might be different from one to the next, but the code meaning is always the same. Any car that makes a P0307, it will always mean MISFIRE CYLINDER 7. All P0nnn codes mean the same thing always, If a car does not have more than 6 cylinders it cannot make a P0307. P0nnn codes are defined by the OBD II specification.
Unique codes are defined by the automaker. You could, for instance, have a P1188 on both a Ford and a Chevy, but the meaning of the code might be entirely different on the two different makes. The code string is unique, and defined by the automaker.
If you have a scan tool that can display the textual translation of a code, then that's a bonus.
Since you have an Unknown Code, then this suggests that you may be having a P1nnn (unique) code. The scan tool can have a library of generic codes in it that make it translate the code string into text, but such a library would not know the unique codes. Having said that, even if the code cannot be translated through the library, at least the code should be displayed. Any code you have can be fed into Google, if a unique code then search for the code string as it applies to Ford, or whatever car/truck yo are working on.
Codes should always be displayed as P0nnn or P1nnn, where P0 or P1 indicate generic or unique codes, respectively.
Generic codes always comply with the OBD II conventions, and any car that gives a code, that code always means the same thing. Depending on the car itself, the repair activity might be different from one to the next, but the code meaning is always the same. Any car that makes a P0307, it will always mean MISFIRE CYLINDER 7. All P0nnn codes mean the same thing always, If a car does not have more than 6 cylinders it cannot make a P0307. P0nnn codes are defined by the OBD II specification.
Unique codes are defined by the automaker. You could, for instance, have a P1188 on both a Ford and a Chevy, but the meaning of the code might be entirely different on the two different makes. The code string is unique, and defined by the automaker.
If you have a scan tool that can display the textual translation of a code, then that's a bonus.
Since you have an Unknown Code, then this suggests that you may be having a P1nnn (unique) code. The scan tool can have a library of generic codes in it that make it translate the code string into text, but such a library would not know the unique codes. Having said that, even if the code cannot be translated through the library, at least the code should be displayed. Any code you have can be fed into Google, if a unique code then search for the code string as it applies to Ford, or whatever car/truck yo are working on.