Mode6
Mode6 is a collection of the tests that are used to complete and pass/fail the monitors. Sometimes the information
contained in this data can be very useful. This data naturally comes from the vehicles
PCM as HEXIDECIMAL data. This hex data needs to be translated to have any value.
No real database of these translations exist at the current moment and for some
makes you have to look very hard to find them. Escan does one of the best jobs that
I have seen of translating this data and it does so very quickly. It also currently
has a unique feature of being able to read selected tests continuously. This can
be extremely useful when watching misfire data on Fords and newer CAN Protocol
vehicles.
Mode6 data tests on non Can vehicles are called TIDS. These TIDS are further broken
down into CIDS, which are the individual component tests. To Illustrate this you
can refer to the graphic below.
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This vehicle was a 2003 Chevy Tahoe. It had a problem with its Evaporative Emmision
System. It would not pull a vacuum which means it had a leak.
Tid $02 CID $D0 shows this vehicle failed a vacuum test. The cause turned out to
be just a loose gas cap. The mode6 description gave an insight into to problem.
The system could not hold a vacuum. Sometimes the cause is not being able to hold
pressure. Knowing this info can lead you to look at one part of the system and narrow
down the problem. Overall a good knowledge of the system really helps.
Some things you can see from looking at mode6 would be data pertaining to
Catalytic Converter efficiency
Misfire Counters
Oxygen Sensor Heater operation
Egr operation
Evaporative Emmisions operation
Basically Data pertaining to setting the Emmisions monitors.
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Here is another capture from a 2005 Buick Lacrosse |
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Everything looks pretty good here. Nothing is standing out as out of the ordinary
or needing attention. |
This next mode6 capture does give some useful hints |
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It looks like here as if the Evap System may not have been pulling enough initial
vacuum. It would warrant testing the system for leaks. The reading of -63.898 for
the vapor generation pressure rise means the test has not been run yet.
Their is also a small amount of misfiring happening although it wasn't happening
at the current moment. A continuous monitoring of the misfire TIDS revealed no change
in the cylinder misfire counters over time. The misfire monitor may have been locked
out though because of a low fuel level. This is the same vehicle as the one
in this example.
1999 Ford Expedition |
Here are some Mode6 Screenshot movies from a test drive of a 1998 Honda Accord.
There are 3 parts.
1998 Honda Accord Mode6, Monitors and Catalyst test after Repair 1
1998 Honda Accord Mode6, Monitors and Catalyst test after Repair 2
1998 Honda Accord Mode6, Monitors and Catalyst test after Repair 3
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Download a zip file of all three videos here