Driving A Trionic OBD II Trip

By definition, a TRIP will give EVERY diagnostic test a chance to run. For this reason, a trip is going to take a lot longer to drive than a drive cycle designed to run just one diagnostic. Not only must a trip run many diagnostics but it runs them in sequence. These two factors make it difficult to drive a quick, uninterrupted trip.

Normally the only justification for driving a complete trip would be if the repairs have been so extensive (such as drivetrain R & R) that a great many systems and components have been affected.

To give you an idea of what is involved, here is the procedure you would follow to drive a TRIP on a 1996 TRIONIC 900:

1 Prepare for the test by:
^ Turning the cooling fan on low speed by unplugging the ICE/EDU coolant sensor.
^ Planning your route according to terrain, traffic patterns, etc.
2 First, run the diagnostics for all systems except EVAP, Post-Catalyst Oxygen sensor and the Catalyst. Simulate driving in city traffic by:
^ Being in motion for a total of 10 minutes.
^ During that 10 minutes, accelerate to above 25 mph and brake to a complete stop 6 times.
3 Next, run the diagnostics for the Post-Catalyst Oxygen sensor and EVAP system by:
^ Parking with the handbrake on, select P or N. Once again, remember that the cooling fan should be running constantly to keep the load constant.
^ Avoid changing the engine load. Turn off the A/C, don't turn the steering wheel, switch on lights, etc.
^ Open the throttle, then let the engine idle for 30 seconds. Repeat this cycle three more times.
^ Reconnect the ICE engine coolant temperature sensor.
4 Finally, run the Catalyst Efficiency diagnostic by:
^ Driving with very little change in throttle opening at 25-55 mph for 4 minutes.
^ Choosing a gear which will allow you to run at between 2-3,000 rpm.
^ Driving on a road which allows you to maintain both road speed and rpm with a minimum of throttle movement. A steady throttle setting is more important than constant road speed. Avoid hilly terrain or using cruise control.
5 At the end of the test, record, repair and erase all DTCs.
^ Don't forget to erase the ICE or EDU code you set by unplugging the coolant temperature sensor.
^ Is the car an automatic? A throttle position fault will set a code in both the ECM and the TCM. Always clear ALL OBD II systems.