General Information
INTRODUCTION: HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT ECU CONTROLLED SYSTEMS: GENERAL INFORMATION
A large number of ECU controlled systems are used in the FJ CRUISER. In general, ECU controlled systems are considered to be very intricate, requiring a high level of technical knowledge to troubleshoot. However, most problem checking procedures only involve inspecting the ECU controlled system's circuits one by one. An adequate understanding of the system and a basic knowledge of electricity is enough to perform effective troubleshooting, accurate diagnoses and necessary repairs.
1. TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES
* The troubleshooting procedures consist of diagnosis procedures for when a DTC is stored and diagnosis procedures for when no DTC is stored. The basic idea is explained in the following table.
* Vehicle systems are complex and use many ECUs that are difficult to inspect independently. Therefore, a process of elimination is used, where components that can be inspected individually are inspected, and if no problems are found in these components, the related ECU is identified as the problem and replaced.
* It is extremely important to ask the customer about the environment and the conditions present when the problem occurred (Customer Problem Analysis). This makes it possible to simulate the conditions and confirm the symptom. If the symptom cannot be confirmed or the DTC does not recur, the malfunctioning part may not be identified using the troubleshooting procedure, and the ECU for the related system may be replaced even though it is not defective. If this happens, the original problem will not be solved.
* In order to prevent endless expansion of troubleshooting procedures, the troubleshooting procedures are written with the assumption that multiple malfunctions do not occur simultaneously for a single problem symptom.
* To identify the malfunctioning part, troubleshooting procedures narrow down the target by separating components, ECUs and wire harnesses during the inspection. If the wire harness is identified as the cause of the problem, it is necessary to inspect not only the connections to components and ECUs but also all of the wire harness connectors between the component and the ECU.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTER
2. DESCRIPTION
System data and the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) can be read from the Data Link Connector 3 (DLC3) of the vehicle. When the system seems to be malfunctioning, use Techstream* to check for a malfunction and perform repairs.
HINT
*: Techstream is the name for the diagnostic tester in North America.
3. DATA LINK CONNECTOR 3 (DLC3)
(a) The vehicle's ECU uses the ISO 15765-4 communication protocol. The terminal arrangement of the DLC3 complies with SAE J1962 and matches the ISO 15765-4 format.
NOTICE:
*: Before measuring the resistance, leave the vehicle as is for at least 1 minute and do not operate the engine switch, any other switches, or the doors.
If the result is not as specified, the DLC3 may have a malfunction. Repair or replace the harness and connector.
(b) Connect the cable of Techstream to the DLC3, turn the engine switch on (IG) and attempt to use the tester. If the display indicates that a communication error has occurred, there is a problem either with the vehicle or with the tester.
HINT
* If communication is normal when the tester is connected to another vehicle, inspect the DLC3 of the original vehicle.
* If communication is still not possible when the tester is connected to another vehicle, the problem may be in the tester itself. Consult the Service Department listed in the tester's instruction manual.