Actron 9040 User Manual
9040
Global OBD II
®
Code Scanner
Retrieves Global (Generic) OBD II diagnostic codes and
displays their definitions on Foreign and Domestic OBD II
compliant vehicles
Contents
Safety Precautions ................................................................................... 2
About OBD II............................................................................................ 2
Diagnostic Trouble Code(s) (DTC) ............................................................ 3
OBD II Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) .................................................. 3
What the Code Scanner Does .................................................................. 3
Control and Indicators .............................................................................. 4
Code Scanner Functions .......................................................................... 4
Operating the Code Scanner .................................................................... 4
Troubleshooting Tips ................................................................................ 6
Vehicle Service Information....................................................................... 8
Global Parameter list ............................................................................... 9
Safety Precautions
To prevent accidents that could possibly result in serious injury and/or damage to
vehicles and/or test equipment, carefully follow all safety rules and test
procedures:
Always wear approved eye protection.
Always operate the vehicle in a well-
ventilated area. Do not breath exhaust
gases they are very hazardous.
Always keep yourself, tools and test
equipment away from moving or hot
engine parts.
Make sure the vehicle is in Park (auto-
matic transmission) or neutral (manual
transmission). Set parking brake and
block the drive wheels.
Never lay tools on vehicle battery.
Terminals may short together causing
harm to yourself, the tools or the battery.
Never use the Code Scanner if it has
been exposed to any moisture.
Never smoke or have open flames near
vehicle. Vapors from gasoline and
charging battery are highly flammable
and explosive.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest
information available from industry sources at the time of publication. No warranty (expressed
or implied) can be made for its accuracy or completeness, nor is any responsibility assumed by
the manufacturer or anyone connected with it for loss or damages suffered through reliance on
any information contained in this manual or misuse of accompanying product. The manufacturer
reserves the right to make changes at any time to this manual or accompanying product without
obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes.
Never leave vehicle unattended while
testing.
Always keep a fire extinguisher suitable
for gasoline/electrical/chemical fires
readily available.
Use caution when working around the
ignition coils, ignition wires, and spark
plugs. These components produce High
Voltage when the engine is running.
When performing road tests, never
operate the tool while driving the vehicle.
Always have one person drive the
vehicle and the other operate the tool.
Always turn ignition key OFF when
connecting or disconnecting electrical
components, unless otherwise
instructed.
Always follow vehicle manufacturers
warnings, cautions and service
procedures.
About OBD II
OBD II stands for On-Board Diagnostics version II. OBD II is a system that the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed to standardize automotive electronic diagnosis
to minimize vehicle pollution and to allow you to use the same tool to test any make and
model without special adapters. The SAE established guidelines that provide:
a universal diagnostic test connector, called the data link connector (DLC), with
dedicated pin assignments.
a standardized location for the DLC, visible under the dash on the drivers side.
a standardized list of Generic diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) used by all
manufacturers. Certain DTCs are reserved for the manufacturer.
SAE publishes recommendations, not laws, but the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) made many of SAEs
recommendations legal requirements that car makers were required to phase in over a
three-year period. Beginning in 1994, vehicles with a new engine management computer
about 10% of each manufacturers fleet were supposed to comply with OBD II
standards. For 1995, OBD II systems were to appear on about 40% of the new vehicles
sold in the USA. Some of the 1994-1995 OBD II systems were not fully compliant, so the
Government granted waivers to give manufacturers time to fine-tune their systems.
Beginning in 1996, most of the new vehicles sold in the USA were fully OBD II compliant.
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Diagnostic Trouble Code(s) (DTC)
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) consist of a five-digit alphanumeric code in the format shown below. When the On-Board Computer recognizes and identifies a problem
in the computer-monitored systems, a DTC for that fault is stored in memory. These
codes are intended to help you determine the root cause of a problem. As new DTCs
are approved and added by the SAE, periodic updates to the software become available.
Consult the store where the tool was purchased.
Bx - Body
Cx - Chassis
Px - Powertrain
Ux - Network Comm.
x = 0, 1, 2 or 3
Powertrain Codes
P0xxx - Generic (SAE)
P1xxx - Manufacturer Specific
P2xxx - Generic (SAE)
P30xx-P33xx - Manufacturer Specific
P34xx-P39xx - Generic (SAE)
Chassis Codes
C0xxx - Generic (SAE)
C1xxx - Manufacturer Specific
C2xxx - Manufacturer Specific
C3xxx - Generic (SAE)
P 0 1 0 1
Vehicle Specific System
Body Codes
B0xxx - Generic (SAE)
B1xxx - Manufacturer Specific
B2xxx - Manufacturer Specific
B3xxx - Generic (SAE)
Network Communication
Codes
U0xxx - Generic (SAE)
U1xxx - Manufacturer Specific
U2xxx - Manufacturer Specific
U3xxx - Generic (SAE)
Specific Fault Designation
Example:
P0101 - Mass or Volume Air
Flow Circuit Range/Performance Problem
OBD II Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC)
The Data Link Connector (DLC) allows the scan tool to communicate with the vehicle
computer. OBD II defines the physical and electrical specification for the DLC. Certain
pins in the connector are reserved.
The DLC is also referred to as a J1962 connector, the term taken from a physical and
electrical specification number assigned by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers). The
J1962 specification defines the location of
the DLC in the vehicle. The DLC should be
located under the dashboard on the driver
side of the vehicle. If the DLC is not located
under the dashboard as stated, a decal describing its location should be attached to
the dashboard in the area the DLC should
have been located.
1- Manufacturer Reserved
2- J1850 Bus+
3- Manufacturer Reserved
4- Chassis Ground
5- Signal Ground
6- CAN High, J-2284
7- K Line, ISO 9141-2 & ISO/DIS14230-4
8- Manufacturer Reserved
9- Manufacturer Reserved
10- J1850 Bus
11- Manufacturer Reserved
12- Manufacturer Reserved
13- Manufacturer Reserved
14- CAN Low, J-2284
15- L Line, ISO 9141-2 & ISO/DIS14230-4
16- Battery Power
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What the Code Scanner Does
The Code Scanner connects to the vehicle and powers-up through the DLC. Once the
scanner establishes a communication link, you can then retrieve DTCs and erase data
stored in the vehicle. Code Lookup provides definitions of Global (Generic) OBD II DTCs.
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16
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Operating the Code Scanner
Control and Indicators
The scan tool is designed to be as intuitive as possible. All menu and lists operate the
same way.
ENTER Key - selects displayed items and moves cursor in the Code Lookup
function.
YES/UP Arrow Key - responds yes to prompts, scrolls up and changes numbers
in Code Lookup.
NO/DOWN Arrow Key - responds no to prompts, scrolls down and changes
numbers in Code Lookup.
BACK Key - return to the previous screen or exit a function.
LCD DISPLAY - A 2-line x 16-character display
with contrast adjust.
OBD II (J1962) Adapter Cable - provides
power to the scanner and a link to the vehicle.
Code Scanner Functions
1. Connect the Code Scanner to the vehicle DLC, it
will not harm the vehicle.
2. The name and software ID displays momentarily.
3. Press ENTER to go to the Main Menu.
4. The display contrast can be adjusted for different
viewing angles. Select Display Contrast and use
the UP / DOWN arrow keys to increase and decrease the contrast. The setting will remain even
when the power is disconnected.
NOTE: If an Operating Error message is displayed, make sure the OBD II J1962
adapter cable is securely attached, and the ignition key is ON. Cycle the ignition key
to OFF for 10 seconds, then ON. This may be required to reset the PCM. Press the
BACK key to test again. If the problem still exists, refer to Troubleshooting Tips.
Avoid Cooling Fan! It May
Turn On During Test.
CAUTION!
NOTE: Do not disconnect the Code Scanner until codes have been recorded. When
power is removed, Code Scanner memory is cleared.
Read Codes
The Read Codes function retrieves Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) from the vehicles
computer modules. This function can be performed with the Key On-Engine Off (KOEO)
or Key On-Engine Running (KOER). Because DTCs indicate a circuit or system failure
(not component failures) they are very useful in isolating vehicle system malfunctions.
There are two types of codes, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) codes and Pending
codes. An icon (;) will be displayed next to DTCs that are Pending codes.
MIL Codes: These codes cause the computer to illuminate the MIL when an emission related or driveability fault occurs. The MIL is also known as the service engine
soon or check engine lamp. The computer illuminates the MIL when the engine is
running and the DTC remains in memory until the fault is repaired.
Pending Codes: These codes are also referred as continuous monitor and maturing codes. An intermittent fault causes the computer to store a code in memory. If the
fault does not occur within 40 warm-up cycles, the code will be cleared from memory.
If the fault occurs a specific number of times, the code matures into a DTC and the
MIL turns on.
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