Check For An Active Or Intermittent Condition

Checking for an active DTC or condition:  Read and record all DTCs, Freeze Frame Data, the Clutch Classification number and Clutch Energy number. Run and save a vehicle scan report for later use if needed. Review the Freeze Frame data, When Monitored and Set Conditions. Erase all DTCs and test drive the vehicle for up to five miles  . If the DTC returns continue with the diagnostic procedure. If the DTC review the Intermittent Condition Testing information below.

Intermittent Condition Testing:  A DTC can be stored for any number of reasons. Check the following items below;

1. The DTC may be stored because the diagnostic has not run during the current ignition cycle. Review the scan tool Freeze Frame Data, along with the When Monitored and Set Conditions, and attempt to operate the vehicle or system in the similar conditions to allow the diagnostic to run. Some diagnostics may not be easily duplicated. Other diagnostics may require several environmental conditions or extensive enable conditions difficult to duplicate. It may be necessary to drive the vehicle in different operating modes to duplicate the issue. Also, with the system in AUTO mode, drive the vehicle from a stop and accelerate to a steady state several times to allow the system to shift between FWD and AWD modes.
2. The DTC may be stored because the diagnostic has not run during the current ignition cycle. Review the scan tool Freeze Frame Data, as well as the When Monitored and Set Conditions, and attempt to operate the vehicle or system in the similar conditions to allow the diagnostic to run. Some diagnostics may not be easily duplicate, such as some temperature sensor rationality diagnostics which require extended cold soaks. Other diagnostics may require several environmental conditions or extensive enable conditions difficult to duplicate. For these cases it may be best to simply check for proper operation of the components or systems to verify if failure mode is present before attempting to diagnose the system.
3. Electronic Control Modules can be affected by temperature or software issues. Always check for any flash updates that may be related to the DTC or failure mode before continuing to diagnose an intermittent condition.
4. Poor wiring harness connections are a big contributor to intermittent electrical connections. Always check for any Service Bulletins that may apply to the DTC or failure mode before continuing to diagnose an intermittent condition. If no bulletins apply, check for connection issues by wiggle testing any wiring harnesses and in-line connectors the circuitry passes through. A good practice is too watch for a DTC to become active or scan tool data to change. An even better method is to attach a lab scope to the circuitry and wiggle test the wiring. Review the scope pattern looking for intermittent opens in the circuitry during the wiggle test. Poor battery system voltage or poor ground connections can affect systems in different or odd ways. Check the battery or batteries for proper charge and operation along with proper connections. Use the wiring information to identify and check any chassis ground connections related to the systems or components being diagnosed. Verify that connectors are locked in properly at the components, modules and any in-line connectors in the system. Look for pushed out, corroded, spread, burnt, or broken terminals at each connector.
5. Mechanical and electrical components can fail intermittently due to temperature changes or vibration during driving. Operate the components through a full range of operation while monitoring functionality.