What You Need to Know
Today's technology in the modern car is becoming more complex. Tomorrow’s cars will have even more complex electronic systems as technology moves forward.
All these electronic systems are continually running self check diagnostic tests of electronic components & circuits. When a fault is present this can trigger Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) & warning light or lights will be displayed. Sometimes Diagnostic Trouble Codes can be present without displaying a warning light.
Your vehicle’s warning lights and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are key indicators of potential issues with your car’s systems. Modern vehicles are equipped with an Onboard Diagnostics (OBD-II) system that monitors the engine, transmission, and other vital components. When a problem is detected, the system triggers warning lights and generates trouble codes to help pinpoint the issue.
What Are Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)?
DTCs are alphanumeric codes generated by your vehicle’s OBD system when a fault occurs. These codes are stored in the car's computer and can be retrieved by mechanics using a code scanner. Each DTC corresponds to a specific problem in the car, and they fall into different categories:
For example, a P0300 code indicates a random engine misfire, while a P0420 code might point to a faulty catalytic converter.
Why DTCs and Warning Lights Are Important
Ignoring warning lights or diagnostic codes can lead to larger and more expensive repairs. Early detection helps in maintaining your vehicle’s health and ensures that minor issues don’t escalate into major problems. Regular vehicle maintenance and timely inspections of DTCs can extend your car’s life and prevent costly breakdowns.
If your cars warning light fails to extinguish after starting or flashes during driving indicates that you have a problem & needs action taken. Sometimes stopping & restarting the car will extinguish the warning light, but there will be Diagnostic Trouble Code present in the computer's memory (ECU). This will need to be checked & Error Code erased as this can cause problems also.
Aok Automotive Repairs workshop is equipped to check & diagnosis your cars computer systems & carry out repairs. Most of the times no repairs are needed, all that is required is the DTC be erased & ECU be reset.