OBD II Pending Codes

DESCRIPTION
Pending codes are codes that have only set during one drive cycle and may not have set the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) yet. While some codes can set the MIL during one drive cycle, they are not recorded as OBD II Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) until failing during a second drive cycle. These DTCs may be identified using the Retrieve Pending Codes Feature. Additionally, they will be found in the vehicle-specific mode RETRIEVE/CLEAR CONTINUOUS CODES from the instant that the code is set.

This function will only report pending failures that have occurred during the present drive cycle, but not indicate single failures that happened on any previous drive cycle.

NOTE: This procedure is written assuming the use of a New Generation STAR (NGS) Tester. If a generic OBD II scan tool is used, it will be necessary to follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer of the scan tool.

ACCESSING THE PID DATA MONITOR
- Perform the necessary vehicle preparation and visual inspection.
- Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC).
- Select VEHICLE & ENGINE SELECTION menu (optional).
- Select NEW VEHICLE, YEAR & MODEL.
- Select year, engine, model with the appropriate qualifier, if needed (for example, transmission, 49 States, California).
- Follow operating instructions from the menu.
- Select GENERIC OBD II FUNCTIONS.
- Select RETRIEVE PENDING CODES.