LEXUS SC300 1991 Service Owner's Manual

[2] SYMPTOM CONFIRMATION AND DIAGNOSTIC CODE CHECK
The diagnostic system in the LEXUS SC400 fulfills various functions. The fi\
rst function is the Diagnostic Code
Check in which a malfunction in the signal circuits to the ECU is stored\
in code in the ECU memory at the time
of occurrence, to be output by the technician during troubleshooting. Anot\
her function is the Input Signal Check
which checks if the signals from various switches are sent to the ECU correct\
ly.
The air conditioner system has an Actuator Check function whereby the ECU a\
utomatically operates the actua-
tors of the damper and blowermotor, etc. to check the operation. The cruise control system has a Cancel Si\
gnal
Check function which memorizes and displays what sort of signal it was that l\
ast cancelled the cruise control.
By using these check functions, the problem areas can be narrowed down qui\
ckly and troubleshooting can be
performed effectively. Diagnostic functions are incorporated in the following systems in the \
LEXUS SC400.
SystemDiagnostic CodeCheckInput Signal Check(Sensor Check)Other Diagnosis Function
Engine (with Test Mode)
Automatic Transmission (with Test Mode)
Anti±Lock Brake
Traction Control (Option)
SRS Airbag
Power Seat (only vehicles with memory function)
Wireless Door Lock Control
Cruise Control Cancel Signal
Check
Air Conditioner Actuator Check
In diagnostic code check, it is very important to determine whether the pr\
oblem indicated by the diagnostic code
is still occurring or occurred in the past but returned to normal at pre\
sent. In addition, it must be checked in the
problem sym ptom check whether the malfunction indicated by the diagnostic code is d\
irectly related to the prob-
lem symptom or not. For this reason, the diagnostic codes should be chec\
ked before and after the symptom
confirmation to determine the current conditions, as shown in the table below. If this is not done, it may, depend-
ing on the case, result in unnecessary troubleshooting for normally oper\
ating systems, thus making it more diffi-
cult to locate the problem, or in repairs not pertinent to the problem. Ther\
efore, always follow the procedure in
correct order and perform the diagnostic code check.
DIAGNOSTIC CODE CHECK PROCEDURE
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Taking into account the above points, a flow chart showing how to proceed with\
troubleshooting using the diag-
nostic code check is shown below. This flow chart shows how to utilize the diagnostic code check effectively,
then by carefully checking the results, indicates how to proceed either to d\
iagnostic code troubleshooting or to
troubleshooting of problem symptoms.
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[3] SYMPTOM SIMULATION
The most difficult case in troubleshooting is when there are no problem symptoms occurring. In s\
uch cases, a
thorough customer problem analysis must be carried out, then simulate the same or similar conditions and envi-
ronment in which the problem occurred in the customer's vehicle. No matter now much experience a technician
has, or how skilled he may be, if he proceeds to troubleshoot without confir\
ming the problem symptoms he will
tend to overlook something important in the repair operation and make a wron\
g guess somewhere, which will
only lead to a standstill. For example, for a problem which only occurs when\
the engine is cold, or for a problem
which occurs due to vibration caused by the road during driving, etc., the pr\
oblem can never be determined so
long as the symptoms are confirmed with the engine hot condition or the \
vehicle at a standstill. Since vibration,
heat or water penetration (moisture) are likely causes for problems which are \
difficult to reproduce, the symptom
simulation tests introduced here are effective measures in that the external causes are applied to the vehicle
in a stopped condition.
Important Points in the Symptom Simulation Test
In the symptom simulation test, the problem symptoms should of course be co\
nfirmed, but the problem area
or parts must also be found out. To do this, narrow down the possible problem circuits according to the sym\
ptoms
before starting this test and connect a tester beforehand. After that, carry out the symptom simulation test, judg-
ing whether the circuit being tested is defective or normal and also confir\
ming the problem symptoms at the
same time. Refer to the matrix chart of problem symptoms for each system to \
narrow down the possible causes
of the symptom.
[1] VIBRATION METHOD: When vibration seems to be the major cause.
CONNECTORS
Slightly shake the connector vertically and horizon-
tally.
WIRE HARNESS
Slightly shake the wire harness vertically and horizontally.
The connector joint, fulcrum of the vibration, and body
through portion are the major areas to be checked thor-
oughly.
PARTS AND SENSORS
Apply slight vibration with a finger to the part of the
sensor considered to be the problem cause and
check if the malfunction occurs.
HINT: Applying strong vibration to relays may result
in open relays. IN±20
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[2] HEAT METHOD: When the problem seems to occur when the suspect area is heated.
Heat the component that is the likely cause of the malfunc-
tion with a hair dryer or similar object. Check to see if the
malfunction occurs.
NOTICE:
(1) Do not heat to more than 60°C (140 °F).
(Temperature limit that no damage is done to the
component).
(2) Do not apply heat directly to parts in the ECU.
[3] WATER SPRINKLING METHOD: When the malfunction seems to occur on a
rainy\
day or in a high±humidity condition.
Sprinkle w ater onto the vehicle and check to see if the mal-
function occurs.
NOTICE:
(1) Never sprinkle water directly into the engine compartment, but indirectly change the tempera-
ture and humidity by applying water spray onto
the radiator front surface.
(2) Never apply water directly onto the electronic components.
(Service hint)
If a vehicle is subject to water leakage, the leaked water
may contaminate the ECU. When testing a vehicle with a
water leakage problem, special caution must be used.
[4] OTHER: When the malfunction seems to occur when electrical load is excessive.
Turn on all electrical loads including the heater blower,
head lights, rear window defogger, etc. and check to see
if the malfunction occurs.
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[4] DIAGNOSTIC CODE CHART
The inspection procedure is shown in the table below. This table permits efficient and accurate troubleshooting
using the trouble codes displayed in the diagnostic code check. Proceed with \
troubleshooting in accordance
with the inspection procedure given in the diagnostic chart corresponding to the trouble codes displayed. The
engine diagnostic code chart is shown below as an example.
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[5] MATRIX CHART OF PROBLEM SYMPTOMS
The suspect circuits or parts for each problem symptom are shown in the tab\
le below. Use this table to trouble-
shoot the problem when a ºNormalº code is displayed in the diagnostic code check but\
the problem is still occur-
ring. Numbers in the table indicate the inspection order in which the circuit\
s or parts should be checked.
HINT: When the problem is not detected by the diagnostic system even though t\
he problem symptom is present,
it is considered that the problem is occurring outside the detection ran\
ge of the diagnostic system, or that the
problem is occurring in a system other than the diagnostic system.
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6 CIRCUIT INSPECTION
How to read and use each page is shown below.
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Location of Connectors in Engine Compartment
wLocation of connectors
This diagram shows the wire harnesses and connectors used in one system.\
The connector shows the harness side connector, so when checking the part side connector (sensor, ac-
tuator, etc.), be careful not to mistake the terminal positions.
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HOW TO USE THE DIAGNOSTIC CHART AND INSPECTION
PROCEDURE
1. For troubleshooting, diagnostic code charts or problem symptom charts are p\
rovided for each circuit withdetailed inspection procedures on the following pages.
2. When all the component parts, wire harnesses and connectors of each circuit \
except the ECU are found to be normal in troubleshooting, then it is determined that the problem \
is in the ECU.
Accordingly, if diagnosis is performed without the problem symptoms occurring, the \
instruction will be to
check and replace the ECU, even if the problem is not in the ECU. So, al\
ways confirm that the problem
symptoms are occurring, or proceed with inspection while using the sympt\
om simulation method.
3. The instructions ºCheck wire harness and connectorº and ºCheck and\
replace ECUº which appear in the inspection procedure, are common and applicable to all diagnostic codes.\
Follow the procedure outlined
below whenever these instructions appear.
Check Wire Harness and Connector
The problem in the wire harness or connector is an open circuit or a short \
circuit.
OPEN CIRCUIT:
This could be due to a disconnected wire harness, faulty contact in the conn\
ector, a connector terminal pulled
out, etc.
HINT:
1. It is rarely the case that a wire is broken in the middle of it. Most cases occur at the connector. Inparticular, carefully check the connectors of sensors and actuators.
2. Faulty contact could be due to rusting of the connector terminals, to foreign materials entering terminals or a drop in the contact pressure between the male and female terminals of th\
e connector.
Simply disconnecting and reconnecting the connectors once changes the conditio\
n of the
connection and may result in a return to normal operation.
Therefore, in troubleshooting, if no abnormality is found in the wire harness and \
connector check, but the prob-
lem disappears after the check, then the cause is considered to be in th\
e wire harness or connectors.
SHORT CIRCUIT:
This could be due to a short circuit between the wire harness and the body ground or t\
o a short inside the switch,
etc.
HINT:
w When there is a short between the wire harness and body ground, check thorou\
ghly whether the wire
harness is caught in the body or is clamped properly.
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