OBDII P Code List — Generic Powertrain P series

OBDII P Code List — Generic Powertrain P series

OBDII codes are categorized by the first letter. For example, “P” Powertrain  codes relate to problems with the engine, transmission, and associated drivetrain accessories.”B” Body relates to trouble codes for vehicle comfort, convenience, safety, and driver assistance features generally inside the passenger compartment. These functions provide the driver with assistance, comfort, convenience, and safety. The “C” Chassis (C-codes) category covers mechanical systems outside the passenger cabin, such as brakes, steering, and suspension. “U” Network & Vehicle Integration codes describe data issues among the many modules and computers in the vehicle. This post will list and explain the OBDII P Code List for Generic codes

The definition of GENERIC trouble codes shown applies to all carmakers.

How to read OBDII codes

• First Digit: P, B, C, and U apply to the vehicle system
• Second digit: A “0” denotes a generic code definition that applies to all carmakers, while a “1,” “2,” or “3” is a manufacturer-specific code definition that applies to a specific year, make, and model (also referred to as an enhanced code).
• The next three numbers or letter combinations tell you the specific information on the sensor or system that has a problem.

There are two types of OBDII trouble codes

Type 1 codes are the more important because they can cause quick and severe damage, while Type 2 codes are less important but cannot be ignored.

Type 1 CRITICAL Codes
• Relate to emissions
• Requires only one failure during the driving cycle for the ECM to light the Check Engine light
• The ECM saves the relative data (freeze frame) at the first failed test
• The ECM orders the Check Engine light turned off after 3 driving cycles without failure
• Following a complete driving cycle without failure, the code that was present becomes a code in memory.

Type 2 NON-Critical Codes
• Relate to emissions
• The ECM saves in memory as a pending code after only one failure
• The ECM erases the Check Engine Light in standby after one successful driving cycle
• The ECM orders the Check Engine Light to light up after two consecutive driving cycles with failure
• The ECM saves the relative data (freeze frame) after two consecutive driving cycles with failure
• The ECM orders the Check Engine Light turned off after 3 driving cycles without failure
• Following a complete driving cycle without failure, the code that was present becomes a code in memory.

P001-P0099 codes are related to Fuel and Air Metering
Here, you’ll find codes for components related to the air/fuel ratio. Find the most common P001-P0099 codes and their causes here
P0100-P0199 codes are related to Fuel and Air Metering
Here, you’ll find codes for components related to the air/fuel ratio. Find the most common P0100-P0199 codes and their causes here
P0200-P0299 Fuel Injection
Fuel injectors and fuel injector circuits. Find the most common P0200-P0299 codes and their causes here
P0300-P0399 Ignition Coil, Spark Plug, Crank and Camshaft Sensors, Knock Sensor and Misfires
Misfire issues related to spark plugs or ignition parts. Find the most common P0300-P0399 codes and their causes here
P0400-P0499 EGR, Secondary Air, and Evaporative Emissions
Emissions controls that prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere and keeping air pollution to a minimum. Find the most common P0400-P0499 codes and their causeshere
P0500-P0599 Vehicle speed and idle control system
Vehicle speed sensors (VSS) will trigger these codes on the vehicle.  Find the most common P0500-P0549 codes and their causes here
P0600-P0699 Computer system faults
Computer output circuit problems and any issues stemming from a faulty computer system will trigger these codes. Find the  most common P0600-P0699 codes, and their causes here
P0700-P0799 Transmission-related issues
Specifically indicate problems with the transmission system and any related components. Since these codes monitor the functioning of the transmission, their appearance typically relates to faults in the computer that control how the transmission operates. Find the most common P0700-P0799 codes, and their causes here

OBDII P Codes P0001 through P0099 are fuel volume/shutoff-related problems

A fuel injected engine must have some way to regulate the fuel pressure and fuel volume. Carmakers can choose to run the pump at full pressure and use a fuel pressure regulator to bleed off extra fuel pressure and volume or they can use a fuel pump control module to vary the speed of the fuel pump, which varies volume and pressure.

OBDII P Codes P0100-P0199

There are 141 100-series codes. There are several ways to find the code definition in the chart below.
1) Enter the trouble code in the search box. That’s the fastest way
2) If you’d like to scroll all the codes, change the Number of entries to show on the page in “Show Entries” box. Click NEXT or PREVIOUS at the bottom right of the table

OBDII P Codes P0200-P0299

There are 235 200-series codes. There are several ways to find the code definition in the chart below.
1) Enter the trouble code in the search box. That’s the fastest way
2) If you’d like to scroll all the codes, change the Number of entries to show on the page in “Show Entries” box. Click NEXT or PREVIOUS at the bottom right of the table

OBDII P Codes P0300-P0399

There are 134 300-series codes. There are several ways to find the code definition in the chart below.
1) Enter the trouble code in the search box. That’s the fastest way
2) If you’d like to scroll all the codes, change the Number of entries to show on the page in “Show Entries” box. Click NEXT or PREVIOUS at the bottom right of the table.

OBDII P Codes P0400-P0499

There are 170 400-series codes. There are several ways to find the code definition in the chart below.
1) Enter the trouble code in the search box. That’s the fastest way
2) If you’d like to scroll all the codes, change the Number of entries to show on the page in “Show Entries” box. Click NEXT or PREVIOUS at the bottom right of the table

OBDII P Codes P0500-P0599

There are 133 500-series codes. There are several ways to find the code definition in the chart below.
1) Enter the trouble code in the search box. That’s the fastest way
2) If you’d like to scroll all the codes, change the Number of entries to show on the page in “Show Entries” box. Click NEXT or PREVIOUS at the bottom right of the table

OBDII P Codes P0600-P0699

There are 207 600-series codes. There are several ways to find the code definition in the chart below.

1) Enter the trouble code in the search box. That’s the fastest way
2) If you’d like to scroll all the codes, change the Number of entries to show on the page in “Show Entries” box. Click NEXT or PREVIOUS at the bottom right of the table

OBDII P Codes P0700-P0799

There are 185 700-series codes. There are several ways to find the code definition in the chart below.
1) Enter the trouble code in the search box. That’s the fastest way
2) If you’d like to scroll all the codes, change the Number of entries to show on the page in “Show Entries” box. Click NEXT or PREVIOUS at the bottom right of the table

©, 202 Rick Muscoplat