Test Sequence

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Intrepid, 2004 Chrysler Intrepid, 2004 Chrysler Concorde, and 2004 Chrysler 300M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

In many instances, emissions systems must fail diagnostic tests more than once before the PCM illuminates the MIL. These tests are known as 'two trip monitors.' Other tests that turn the MIL lamp on after a single failure are known as one trip monitors.' A trip is defined as 'start the vehicle and operate it to meet the criteria necessary to run the given monitor.'

Many of the diagnostic tests must be performed under certain operating conditions. However, there are times when tests cannot be run because another test is in progress (conflict), another test has failed (pending) or the Task Manager has set a fault that may cause a failure of the test (suspend).

Pending
Under some situations the Task Manager will not run a monitor if the MIL is illuminated and a fault is stored from another monitor. In these situations, the Task Manager postpones monitors pending resolution of the original fault. The Task Manager does not run the test until the problem is remedied.

For example, when the MIL is illuminated for an Oxygen Sensor fault, the Task Manager does not run the Catalyst Monitor until the Oxygen Sensor fault is remedied. Since the Catalyst Monitor is based on signals from the Oxygen Sensor, running the test would produce inaccurate results.
Conflict
There are situations when the Task Manager does not run a test if another monitor is in progress. In these situations, the effects of another monitor running could result in an erroneous failure. If this conflict is present, the monitor is not run until the conflicting condition passes. Most likely the monitor will run later after the conflicting monitor has passed.

For example, if the Fuel System Monitor is in progress, the Task Manager does not run the catalyst Monitor. Since both tests monitor changes in air/fuel ratio and adaptive fuel compensation, the monitors will conflict with each other.
Suspend
Occasionally the Task Manager may not allow a two trip fault to mature. The Task Manager will suspend the maturing of a fault if a condition exists that may induce an erroneous failure. This prevents illuminating the MIL for the wrong fault and allows more precise diagnosis.

For example, if the PCM is storing a one trip fault for the Oxygen Sensor and the catalyst monitor, the Task Manager may still run the catalyst Monitor but will suspend the results until the Oxygen Sensor Monitor either passes or fails. At that point the Task Manager can determine if the catalyst system is actually failing or if an Oxygen Sensor is failing.