Types Of DTC and DTC Format – A Guide For Automotive Experts

Here we will discuss about this format to make sure that when we request any DTC to do the analysis, we should have the knowledge about it. So that we can do the analysis and work in automotive company as a developer or tester. This article will also help to the diagnostic engineers who are working in Automotive service center, factory or in lab.

Types Of DTC and Its Format As Per Different Standards

The Power train DTC’s are 2 byte. There are 6 types of DTC format as per the different ISO standards defined in below table.

So, lets discuss each DTC format with details below for our better understanding.

DTC Format In SAE J2012-DA Standard (0x00)

This is the most common type of DTC format used in modern vehicles. SAE J2012 Diagn and Analysis of On-Board Diagnostic Systems for Light and Medium-Duty Vehicles – Data Link. This parameter value identifies the DTC format reported by the server as defined in ISO 15031-6 specification. It is a standardized format that is used in all vehicles sold in the United States since 1996, as well as in many other countries around the world. OBD-II DTCs are represented by a 5-digit code that consists of a prefix letter (P, B, C, or U) followed by four numerical digits.

Manufacturer-specific DTC: Some vehicle manufacturers use their own proprietary DTC format, which may differ from the OBD-II format. These codes are specific to the manufacturer and may include additional information or use a different numbering system.

OBD-I DTC: This is an older type of DTC format that was used in vehicles prior to the introduction of the OBD-II system. OBD-I DTCs are represented by a 3-digit code that consists of a prefix letter (P, B, C, or U) followed by two numerical digits.

It’s important to note that different types of DTC formats may be used in different vehicles, and that the specific format used in a particular vehicle will depend on the make, model, and year of the vehicle.

DTC Format In ISO 14229 Standard (0x01)

The UDS or ISO 14229 Standard DTC format is standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the ISO 14229 standard outlines the specific format that should be used for DTCs.

According to the ISO 14229 standard, DTCs should be made up of a series of letters and numbers. The first letter indicates the type of problem that has been detected, while the numbers that follow provide more specific information about the problem.

For example, a DTC might look something like this: P0171. In this case, the first letter “P” indicates that the code is related to the powertrain system on the vehicle. The numbers “0171” provide more specific information about the problem.

The ISO 14229 standard also specifies the different types of DTCs that can be used, as well as the meaning of each letter and number in a DTC. This standard is widely used in the automotive industry, and it helps ensure that DTCs can be understood and interpreted consistently across different makes and models of vehicles.

UDS Protocol standard DTC = 2 byte DTC + 1 byte FTB.

DTC Format In SAE J1939-73 Standard (0x02)

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has developed a standard for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) used in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and buses. This standard, known as SAE J1939-73, specifies the format for DTCs that are used in vehicles equipped with the SAE J1939 communication protocol.

According to the SAE J1939-73 standard, DTCs should be made up of a series of letters and numbers. The first letter indicates the type of problem that has been detected, while the numbers that follow provide more specific information about the problem.

For example, a DTC might look something like this: SPN 611. In this case, the first letter “S” indicates that the code is a subsystem-level code, while the letters “SPN” indicate that the code is related to the SAE J1939 communication protocol. The number “611” provides more specific information about the problem.

The SAE J1939-73 standard also specifies the different types of DTCs that can be used, as well as the meaning of each letter and number in a DTC. This standard is widely used in the heavy-duty vehicle industry, and it helps ensure that DTCs can be understood and interpreted consistently across different makes and models of vehicles.

DTC Format In ISO 11992 Standard (0x03)

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a standard for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) used in vehicles equipped with the ISO 11992 communication protocol. This standard, known as ISO 11992-4, specifies the format for DTCs used in these vehicles.

According to the ISO 11992-4 standard, DTCs should be made up of a series of letters and numbers. The first letter indicates the type of problem, and the numbers that follow provide more specific information about the problem.

For example, a DTC might look something like this: U0101. In this case, the first letter “U” indicates that the code is a network-level code, while the number “0101” provides more specific information about the problem.

The ISO 11992-4 standard also specifies the different types of DTCs that can be used, as well as the meaning of each letter and number in a DTC. The automotive industry uses this standard to ensure consistent understanding and interpretation of DTCs across different makes and models of vehicles equipped with the ISO 11992 communication protocol.

DTC Format In SAE J2012 WWH-OBD Standard (0x04)

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has developed a standard for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) used in vehicles equipped with the SAE J2012 WWH-OBD (World Wide Harmonized On-Board Diagnostics) communication protocol. This standard, known as SAE J2012, specifies the format for DTCs used in these vehicles. It identifies the DTC format reported by the server as defined in ISO 27145-2 specification. It is a 3 byte DTC.

Starting in 2014, all new heavy-duty vehicles (like trucks and buses) must meet certain pollution standards called the Euro-VI emissions standard. Car makers are required to have a special system called WWH-OBD that can help find pollution problems. This rule starts earlier for new vehicles made after January 1st, 2013. Tools that can test if the WWH-OBD system is working properly are very helpful for this process.

According to the SAE J2012 standard, DTCs should be made up of a series of letters and numbers. The first letter indicates the type of problem that has been detected, while the numbers that follow provide more specific information about the problem.

For example, a DTC might look something like this: P0101. In this case, the first letter “P” indicates that the code is related to the powertrain system on the vehicle, while the number “0101” provides more specific information about the problem.

The SAE J2012 standard also specifies the different types of DTCs that can be used, as well as the meaning of each letter and number in a DTC. This standard is used in the automotive industry to ensure that DTCs can be understood and interpreted consistently across different makes and models of vehicles equipped with the SAE J2012 WWH-OBD communication protocol.

DTC Types and Its Format Related Terminologies

1. Diagnostic Trouble Codes, or DTCs, are codes that indicate an issue within a vehicle’s electronic control system.
2. DTC Types can include P-codes, C-codes, B-codes, and U-codes, each indicating a different type of issue within a vehicle’s electronic control system.
3. DTC Format can vary depending on the standard or regulation, such as SAE J2012 or ISO 14229-1, that is being used for the vehicle’s electronic control system.
4. OBD DTCs refer to Diagnostic Trouble Codes that are generated by On-Board Diagnostics systems.
5. Vehicle Diagnostic Codes are codes used to indicate issues within a vehicle’s electronic control system.
6. DTC Classification can vary depending on the standard or regulation, such as SAE J2012 or ISO 14229-1, that is being used for the vehicle’s electronic control system.
7. DTC Protocols refer to the communication protocols used for diagnostic trouble codes, such as ISO 14229-1 or ISO 11992-4.
8. DTC Standards refer to the standards used for diagnostic trouble codes, such as SAE J2012 or ISO 14229-1.
9. DTC Readout refers to the process of retrieving diagnostic trouble codes from a vehicle’s electronic control system.
10. DTC Diagnostics refers to the process of identifying and troubleshooting issues indicated by diagnostic trouble codes.
11. DTC Troubleshooting refers to the process of identifying and resolving issues indicated by diagnostic trouble codes.
12. DTC Clearing refers to the process of resetting or deleting diagnostic trouble codes from a vehicle’s electronic control system.
13. DTC Scanning refers to the process of retrieving diagnostic trouble codes from a vehicle’s electronic control system using a diagnostic scanner tool.
14. DTC Interpretation refers to the process of understanding and determining the meaning of diagnostic trouble codes.
15. DTC Analysis refers to the process of evaluating and understanding diagnostic trouble codes in order to diagnose and troubleshoot issues within a vehicle’s electronic control system.
16. DTC Resolution refers to the process of resolving issues indicated by diagnostic trouble codes.