Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Saturn Ion 3, 2004 Saturn Ion 2, and 2004 Saturn Ion 1. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The ECM is programmed with test routines that test the operation of the various systems the ECM controls. Some tests monitor internal ECM functions. Many tests are run continuously. Other tests run only under specific conditions, referred to as Conditions for Running the DTC. When the vehicle is operating within the conditions for running a particular test, the ECM monitors certain parameters and determines if the values are within an expected range. The parameters and values considered outside the range of normal operation are listed as Conditions for Setting the DTC. When the Conditions for Setting the DTC occur, the ECM executes the Action Taken When the DTC Sets. Some DTCs alert the driver via the MIL or a message. Other DTCs do not trigger a driver warning, but are stored in memory. The ECM also saves data and input parameters when most DTCs are set. This data is stored in the Freeze Frame and/or Failure Records.

The DTCs are categorized by type. The DTC type is determined by the MIL operation and the manner in which the fault data is stored when a particular DTC fails. In some cases there may be exceptions to this structure. Therefore, when diagnosing the system it is important to read the Action Taken When the DTC Sets and the Conditions for Clearing the DTC in the supporting text.

There are different types of DTCs and different actions taken when the DTCs set. Refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions for a description of the general characteristics of each DTC type.