Symptom Confirmation And Diagnostic Trouble Code

HINT:

The diagnostic system in the TOYOTA TACOMA has various functions.

• The first function is the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) check. A DTC is a code stored in the ECU memory whenever a malfunction in the signal circuits to the ECU occurs. In a DTC check, a previous malfunction's DTC can be checked by a technician during troubleshooting.
• Another function is the Input Signal Check, which checks if the signals from various switches are sent to the ECU correctly.

  By using these functions, the problem areas can be narrowed down and troubleshooting is more effective. Diagnostic functions are incorporated in the following systems in the TOYOTA TACOMA:

  Fig 1: Diagnostic Trouble Code Chart

  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
• In the DTC check, it is very important to determine whether the problem indicated by the DTC is: 1) still occurring, or 2) occurred in the past but has since returned to normal. In addition, the DTC should be compared to the problem symptom to see if they are related. For this reason, DTCs should be checked before and after confirmation of symptoms (i.e., whether or not problem symptoms exist) to determine current system conditions, as shown in the flowchart below.

  Never skip the DTC check. Failing to check DTCs may, depending on the case, result in unnecessary troubleshooting for systems operating normally or lead to repairs not pertinent to the problem. Follow the procedures listed in the flowchart in the correct order.

• A flowchart showing how to proceed with troubleshooting using the DTC check is shown below. Directions from the flowchart will indicate how to proceed either to DTC troubleshooting or to the troubleshooting of each problem symptom.

1. DTC CHECK 
   • NEXT: GO TO NEXT STEP 
2. MAKE A NOTE OF DTCS DISPLAYED AND THEN CLEAR MEMORY 
   • NEXT: GO TO NEXT STEP 
3. SYMPTOM CONFIRMATION 
   SYMPTOM CONFIRMATION
   
   

   A	Symptoms exist
   B	No symptoms exist

   • A: Go to step   5 
   • B: GO TO NEXT STEP 
4. SIMULATION TEST USING SYMPTOM SIMULATION METHODS 
   • NEXT: GO TO NEXT STEP 
5. PTC CHECK 
   PTC CHECK
   
   

   A	DTC displayed
   B	No DTC displayed

   • A: TROUBLESHOOTING OF PROBLEM INDICATED BY DTC 
   • B: GO TO NEXT STEP 
6. SYMPTOM CONFIRMATION 
   SYMPTOM CONFIRMATION
   
   

   A	No symptoms exist
   B	Symptoms exist

   If a DTC was displayed in the initial DTC check, the problem may have occurred in a wire harness or connector in that circuit in the past. Check the wire harness and connectors (See ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT INSPECTION PROCEDURE ).

   • A: SYSTEM NORMAL 
   • B: TROUBLESHOOTING OF EACH PROBLEM SYMPTOM 

   The problem is still occurring in a place other than the diagnostic circuit (the DTC displayed first is either for a past problem or a secondary problem).