Permanent DTC

PERMANENT DTC

The permanent DTC(PDTC) is stored in the EEPROM of the engine control module (ECM) as the permanent status, which checks that the malfunction of the emission related components/ the system has not been repaired yet. When detecting the malfunction necessary to illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (SERVICE ENGINE SOON or Check Engine Lamp), the ECM illuminates the MIL and stores the appropriate DTC as the permanent DTC in the EEPROM concurrently. The usual DTC is stored in the EEPROM aside from this. The ECM can store up to 6 PDTCs. The ECM, therefore, cannot store the 7th and subsequent PDTCs. If the temporary malfunction causes the malfunction indicator lamp to be illuminated and then the reinstatement during the subsequent driving causes it to be extinguished, the PDTC is erased. Also if the ECM checks that the DTC malfunction is fixed during the driving after the DTC repair is completed, the PDTC is erased. The permanent DTC, however, is not erased by disconnecting the battery terminal or erasing with the scan tool (M.U.T-III). The permanent DTC can be erased if all readiness statuses are erased or not completed at the time of reprogramming the ECM. If must be erased while the vehicle is repaired, the PDTC can be erased by the procedures shown below. If must be erased because of the failure to pass the Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) test, the permanent DTC can also be erased by the following procedure:

PROCEDURES FOR ERASING PERMANENT DTC

1. Check that the DTC is not stored. If the DTC is stored, perform the DTC troubleshooting, then repair the DTC.

NOTE: The order of step 2 and 3 can be exchanged.

2. Drive the vehicle at least once under the conditions satisfying all the following requirements:
- The total driving (engine running) time must be more than 10 consecutive minutes.
- More than 30 seconds of idling must be included in the driving
- More than 5 consecutive minutes of driving at more than 40 km/h (25 mph) must be included in the driving.

3. Drive the vehicle at least two times in the drive cycle pattern suitable for the permanent DTC. (Refer to OBD-II DRIVE CYCLE for the drive cycle pattern.) If the DTC does not have the drive cycle pattern, start and stop the engine. Wait 15 seconds or more to start again after the stop. Repeat at least 2 times.
4. Restart and stop the engine.
5. Check that the permanent DTC is erased. If the permanent DTC is not erased, check the DTC or the provisional DTC. If the malfunction code is stored, repair the DTC. Try to erase the permanent DTC again (from Step 1 to 5). If the malfunction code is not stored, the drive cycle pattern (Step 3) monitoring the malfunction can possibly be insufficient.