Troubleshooting
New Generation Star (NGS) Tester (GEM ONLY)Component Installation
1. The vehicle interface module (VIM) is inserted into the bottom of the NGS control unit. The VIM contains the following:
^ Power connector
^ Printer link
^ Module communication link (MCL)
^ Link jack
2. The program card containing all control information necessary to diagnose the GEM system is inserted into the back of the NGS control unit.
Connecting NGS Tester to the Vehicle
Preferred Method of Diagnostic and Electrical Hookup
1. Confirm that program card is inserted into back of control unit.
2. Connect data link connector (DLC) adapter to the link jack on NGS Tester.
3. Connect DLC adapter to vehicle DLC.
Alternate Power Hookup
NOTE
^ The following connections are for electrical power supply only. The NGS Tester must be connected to the DLC to perform diagnostics.
Battery Power Hookup Adapter
1. Plug power cable connector into battery power hookup adapter.
2. Connect red adapter clip to positive battery post and black adapter clip to negative battery post.
Cigar Lighter Hookup
^ Plug the power connector into the cigar lighter.
Operational Controls
The NGS control unit contains the following:
^ Liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, which shows menu and function information.
^ Screen keys which are used to select the desired function.
^ Cancel keys which are used to quit a function and return to a previous menu.
^ Menu dial which is used to move the shaded bar through the menus.
^ Trigger keys which are used to select the function which is shaded.
Screen Navigation
1. After the NGS has been connected to the vehicle, Power Up screen will be displayed during the NGS self test.
2. After the self test is completed, the Main Menu will appear.
3. When the Main Menu is displayed, move the cursor to VEHICLE AND ENGINE SELECTION. Press the trigger key to enter this selection.
4. Vehicle selection screen now appears. Move the cursor to SELECT NEW VEHICLE YEAR & MODEL. Press the trigger key to enter this selection.
5. Model year selection screen now appears. Move the cursor to 1997-VIN #10:V. Press the trigger key to enter this selection.
6. Vehicle selection screen now appears. Move the cursor to appropriate model. Press the trigger key to enter this selection. The vehicle selection screen showing the selected vehicle will be displayed. Move the cursor to the vehicle selected. Press the trigger key.
7. Main Menu will once again appear. Move the cursor to DIAGNOSTIC DATA LINK. Press the trigger key to enter into system diagnostics.
8. System diagnostics selection screen now appears. Move cursor to GEM-GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE. Press the Trigger key to enter selection.
9. A vehicle options screen now appears. Move the highlight cursor to each individual option and press the Trigger key to select YES or NO for the options available on the vehicle you are testing. Press the save button (key #8) to advance to the next screen.
10. The Diagnostic Test Mode screen now appears. The highlight cursor will be on "DIAGNOSTIC TEST MODES." Press a Trigger key to enter this selection.
To Retrieve DTCs
There are two types of DTCs, continuous DTCs and on-demand DTCs. Continuous DTCs are generated during normal vehicle operation by the GEM's self-diagnostic capabilities and are automatically stored in the GEM memory. On-Demand DTCs are a technician-generated trouble code that will occur when a technician performs an On-Demand Self Test.
Continuous DTCs
The Diagnostic Test Mode Functions screen now appears. Press a Trigger key to enter the selection highlighted by the cursor "RETRIEVE/CLEAR CONTINUOUS DTCs."
The Retrieve/Clear Continuous DTC's screen now appears. Press the START button to initiate the test.
The Continuous DTC Test is now being performed by the NGS and the following screen will appear.
After the test has been performed, the "System Passed (No DTC's Available)" screen will appear or a screen showing a Diagnostic Trouble Code or Codes (DTC's) will appear. If the "System Passed" screen appeared, press the Cancel key and proceed to the "On-Demand Self Test." If a DTC has been logged, perform the necessary diagnosis, then clear the DTC
To clear a DTC, press the clear all "C...All" (key #7) or clear one "C. ..ONE" key (key #8) and the following screen will appear..
Press the Trigger key and the following screen will appear and the DTC will be cleared. Rerun the Continuous Test to ensure the DTC has been erased, then proceed to the On-Demand Self Test by pressing the Cancel key.
On-Demand DTC
Use the Menu Dial to select On-Demand Self Test, then press the Trigger key to enter the On-Demand Self Test function and the following screens will appear. Follow screen instructions to navigate through the screens.
Accessing Parameter Identification (PID)
Parameter identifications (PID) read information relative to a status of the GEM. PIDs are the primary diagnostic tool used to indicate input/output circuitry status.
Return to the Diagnostic Test Mode screen. Move cursor to PID/DATA MONITOR AND RECORD, then press a trigger key.
The following screen will be displayed. Move cursor to LFDR_SW (LEFT FRONT DOOR SWITCH) and press a trigger key. Pressing a trigger key will select the item that the cursor is on. To receive PID information, press the start button (key #7).
With the driver's door open, the following screen will appear.
Diagnosis Instructions
Diagnosis communication is provided through the ISO 9141 data link connector (DLC) and the NGS Tester.
Module Identification
Module Identification will display specific information on what module is currently being tested.
Diagnostic Trouble Code Library
Diagnostic Trouble Code Library is a complete listing of all diagnostic trouble codes within the self- diagnostic capabilities of the GEM.
Detecting and Storing Diagnostic Trouble Codes
When the GEM energizes an external device, a short circuit condition can momentarily exist. This fault is not immediately stored as a diagnostic trouble code since the fault can disappear after a few milliseconds. The GEM repeatedly attempts to energize the device for one second to confirm that the fault still exists.
If the device is successfully energized before one second elapses, a diagnostic trouble code is not stored and fault management action is not taken. If the fault continues after the predetermined fault time, a diagnostic trouble code is stored and appropriate fault management action is then taken.
Detecting Faults in the GEM Output Circuits
Battery shorts can only be detected when the device being controlled is actuated. All faults are monitored continuously during the vehicle operation.
Reporting Trouble Codes
Faults are displayed after the continuous DTCs and the on-demand DTCs are retrieved. Continuous DTCs should be retrieved from the GEM before an On-Demand Self Test is run. These DTCs are then compared against the diagnostic trouble codes retrieved after running an On-Demand Self Test.
Clearing Continuous DTCs
Continuous DTCs must be cleared when the problem has been fixed. Trouble codes can be cleared by sending a request from the NGS to clear them.
Automatically Clearing Codes
Automatic clearing of individual trouble codes is done when the fault is not present for 80 start cycles. These trouble codes are automatically cleared after 80 start cycles.
Running a Diagnostic Control Test
The tester controls the GEM by performing diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests are done only when the GEM has disabled the function being controlled. These control tests allow the tester to control the GEM's outputs and to synchronize the GEM's inputs.
On-Demand Self Test Results
The results of the On-Demand Self Test are in the form of DTCs. The On-Demand Self Test DTC(s) are requested after the test has run.
The On-Demand Self Test detects faults within milliseconds as opposed to one second for the continuous fault code detection. The shorter period of time reduces the overall test time and can help identify intermittent faults.
Requesting a Parameter Identification (PID)/Data Monitor
For the GEM to detect a battery short, the device must be activated. During Continuous State, a PID may fluctuate between both short and normal when a battery short is present.
Diagnostic Trouble Code List
To perform diagnostics, obtain DTC(s) and proceed to section indicated. Refer to Check List in appropriate section and select Flow Chart that best describes the customer complaint.
Check List