Diagnostic Aids

The AIR pump generally operates once per ignition cycle, usually upon initial start-up before the engine goes into closed loop fuel control. Some systems will perform a passive diagnostic test at this time. The active diagnostic test is performed after the engine goes into closed loop fuel control. On vehicles that perform a passive test, the active test will only run if the passive test fails or is intermittent. The active test may not run if the passive test passes.

I/M system status does not indicate whether test has passed or failed, only that test has run. When all diagnostics for a specific system have run and passed, I/M system status will update to YES. If a test for a specific system has failed, I/M system status will update to YES, indicating a determination was made, even if all required tests have not run. When a failure occurs, DTC emission related DTC portion of the I/M system status display will indicate malfunction indicator light is requested. I/M system status also registers number of DTCs.

First failure of a type "B" DTC does not constitute a final determination of pass or fail, and will not update I/M system status to YES. A second trip is required, and all conditions to run must be met in order for test to run again. These conditions may include a partial or complete engine cool down. I/M system status will update only when DTC fails second time, or if all tests pass.

If there is an impending failure, system may require more time to run diagnostic than was allotted in set procedure. If test does not run after numerous attempts and no DTC is set, review appropriate scan tool data list and service information for an indication of why test does not complete. Some tests may abort due to changes in conditions while test is running. For example, changes in engine load, such as a cooling fan or an A/C compressor clutch turning on, may cause test to abort.

If a diagnostic test is difficult to run, observe I/M system status display while maintaining necessary enable conditions until system status updates to YES.