Frozen Values and Counter For Diagnostic Trouble Codes

Frozen Values And Counter For Diagnostic Trouble Codes







Use the diagnostic trouble codes' frozen values as well as the counters, to determine the driving conditions when the problem was detected the first time and how often the problem has occurred. The values show the problem's current status and how intermittent the problem is. Driving conditions may be, e.g., if the engine was running, what speed the vehicle had, or how long the driving distance was.

Counter
The counters are used to determine the problem's status. For general information about the counters, see Counters, description. Description of Counters

Counter 1 indicates the number of drive cycles without fault since the fault was last validated.

If counter 1 is the same as 0, this means that the fault has been detected in this operating cycle (permanent fault). If no troubleshooting or repair has been performed in the vehicle in this driving cycle, the problem is probably in the vehicle.

If counter 1 is over 0, this indicates that the problem has not been detected in this driving cycle (intermittent problem). The problem has existed earlier but is not active right now.

Then check counter 4. Counter 4 indicates number of driving cycles with problem since the problem was validated for the first time.

If the number of driving cycles with problems is high, this indicates an intermittent recurring problem, which means greater possibility of regenerating the problem in the workshop.

If the number of driving cycles with problems is low, this indicates an intermittent temporary problem, which means small possibility of regenerating the problem.

HINT: Counter 3 indicates number of driving cycles since first time that the problem occurred. If the value for counter 3 is divided by the value for counter 4, the intensity of the problem is obtained. The higher the value, the higher the problem intensity. A high problem intensity indicates that the malfunction recurs often.

Counter 5 can be used for more exact determination of when the problem occurred. To compare counter 5 for diagnostic trouble codes indicates in which order the diagnostic trouble codes were stored.

5-cyl. non-turbo engines
For model year 1999, only counter 1 and 2 are available.

Frozen values
The frozen values show the driving conditions when the control module detected the problem the first time. Check using the frozen values that the diagnostic trouble code has not been caused accidentally during troubleshooting of the vehicle. If the driving distance is 0 km/miles, this indicates that the problem has occurred at the control modules' start-up of the CAN-net, when reception of a relevant value has not been possible. This also applies to other values that come via the CAN-network. In these cases, counter 5 can be used to determine when the problem was generated.

If the diagnostic trouble code has been caused during this troubleshooting, it may be due to, e.g., disconnected component, too low or high battery voltage, or that some control module has been disconnected.

If the diagnostic trouble code has been stored since before, there has likely been a problem or interference, which has resulted in the control module detecting a problem.

For general information about frozen value, see Scan Tool Testing and Procedures. Example of Use of the Frozen Values

For information about frozen values:
- Turbo engines and 6-cyl. non-turbo engines: Description of frozen values Me7
- 5-cyl. non-turbo engines: Frozen values DENSO, description

Read off the diagnostic trouble code's counter and frozen values by clicking on the symbol for VCT2000. Choose diagnostic trouble code in question.

Continue: Refer to Checking Components. Checking Components