What Is Obd? - Innova 3100 Owner's Manual

Introduction

WHAT IS OBD?

WHAT IS OBD?
OBD 2 Code Reader is designed to work on all OBD 2 compliant
vehicles. All 1996 and newer vehicles (cars, light trucks and
SUVs) sold in the United States are OBD 2 compliant.
One of the most exciting improvements in the
automobile industry was the addition of on-
board diagnostics (OBD) on vehicles, or in
more basic terms, the computer that
activates the vehicle's "CHECK ENGINE"
light. OBD1 was designed to monitor
manufacturer-specific systems on vehicles built
from 1981 to 1995. Then came the development
of OBD 2, which is on all 1996 and newer vehicles sold in the U.S.
Like its predecessor, OBD 2 was adopted as part of a government
mandate to lower vehicle emissions. But what makes OBD 2 unique
is its universal application for all late model cars and trucks - domestic
and import. This sophisticated program in the vehicle's main
computer system is designed to detect failures in a range of systems,
and can be accessed through a universal OBD 2 port, which is
usually found under the dashboard. For all OBD systems, if a
problem is found, the computer turns on the "CHECK ENGINE" light
to warn the driver, and sets a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) to
identify where the problem occurred. A special diagnostic tool, such
as OBD 2 Code Reader, is required to retrieve these codes, which
consumers and professionals use as a starting point for repairs.
To learn more about vehicle Computer Control Systems and
OBD 2, see COMPUTER ENGINE CONTROLS on page 29.
2 OBD 2