OBD-I & OBD-II: A Complete Guide to Diagnosis, Repair, and Emissions Compliance

Onboard diagnostics (OBD) systems have been an integral part of vehicle design for decades, as OBD-II became mandatory in 1996 for all cars manufactured in the United States. Almost every aspect of the diagnostics system evolved from emissions requirements that were placed on the automotive industry. Manufacturers responded with increasing complexity in the electronic controls and reporting of errors. Fortunately, some commonization followed in the industry, which made the job of a repair technician or do-it-yourself enthusiast slightly easier when working on these challenging systems. Passing emissions testing has become critically important to manufacturers of high-performance parts and installation shops. Both the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) have assessed massive fines for violations of the Clean Air Act based on information that is available from the vehicle’s OBD system. Many states now require vehicles to pass an OBD check to renew the registration, making proper operation even more important to consumers.

OBD-I & OBD-II: A Complete Guide to Diagnosis, Repair, & Emissions Compliance is an insider’s guide to modern original equipment manufacturer (OEM) diagnostics systems. As a former diagnostics and performance calibration engineer, Greg Banish guides you through critical electronic control unit (ECU) functions that ultimately lead to why the "check engine" light on the dash is lit. Strategies are provided for how to begin looking for a solution when problems are detected. Listing every imaginable repair is impossible, but this book provides a solid foundation from which to work by explaining the electronic control unit ECU's logic in plain English. Practical examples from the author’s experience highlight important lessons that will save hours of frustration and confusion. In addition to repair tips, sound advice is given for those looking to modify their vehicles while maintaining the full functionality of the emissions and diagnostics systems.

Modern diagnostics systems can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your level of understanding. This book helps you harness the power of the diagnostics inside the ECU to improve the ability to find and make the right repair the first time. This book shows that by using commonly available electronic tools, the consumer has the power to access a wealth of information about his or her vehicle. It also helps those who are looking to improve performance do so without compromise to the environment or enforcement agencies. Whether you want to repair the vehicle yourself or simply want to possess an understanding of how these systems work while dealing with service professionals, this is the guide you need.

Greg Banish is an experienced automotive engineer, trainer, and consultant who lives near Detroit, Michigan. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from GMI (now Kettering University) in 1999. With more than two decades of experience as an OEM calibration engineer, he released OEM calibrations for millions of vehicles after spending endless hours in the test labs and on development trips in the harshest of conditions. A true industry insider, he was responsible for many of the values seen inside the ECU by technicians and tuners on those vehicles. Over the years, his duties included base engine mapping, torque control, diagnostics, vehicle emissions, and hybrid-vehicle fuel-economy calibration.