INNOVA 3145 Ford Digital OBD1 Code Reader Manual

crucifyd

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Sep 6, 2020
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recently purchased the INNOVA 3145 Ford Digital OBD1 Code Reader and was reading the manual.
couple questions about what I found in there so far:

1. on page 12 it says, referring to the CEL:
the light will illuminate only if it is an emissions-related problem

is this accurate?
no problems other than emissions related problems are reported by the CEL?


2. on page 46, it refers to a particular test as:
R = Key Off Engine Running (KOER) code

I assume this is a typo?
key off with the engine running?

thanks
 
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It’s a typo. It’s should be “Key ON, engine running”


Yes, only certain codes will trip the CEL. I believe 13 out of the roughly 90 possible codes will cause the CEL to go on.

So it’s entirely possible to have codes and no CEL displayed.

OBD2 standardized the way codes are displayed and reported, but before that it was just a primitive free-for-all between the various manufacturers as they all did something different
 
I figured, but you never know, I've certainly come across weird things that didn't make sense when dealing with cars...


sorry I'm still unclear on the CEL.
are these statements accurate?
1. ONLY an emissions related fault will display a CEL
2. non-emissions related faults will NOT display a CEL
 
These are the only codes that will display a CEL at the time the condition is present.

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If the code clears, it will remain in CM (continuous memory) but will not display a check engine light.

All other codes will NEVER display a CEL. Codes like faulty VSS sensor, or trans not being in neutral and such.
 
It's a legal requirement to illuminate the MIL for any emissions relevant fault. Other faults, which could potentially lead to poor driveability or engine / transmission failure, are not rquired to set the light. It seems strange, but it's the way the regulations were written and OEMs usually don't do more than they have to. Some OEMs use an alternative light or message for non-emissions related faults, but not many. OBDI (<=1995) faults are mainly circuit checks or very simple system / range tests. OBDII (1996+) requires plausibility diagnostics for every emissions relevant component or system and misfire detection.