BlueDriver Scan Tool is a popular choice for vehicle owners and automotive professionals seeking in-depth insights into their vehicle’s health. One of its most powerful features is the ability to access and interpret OBD2 live data. This article serves as your comprehensive Bluedriver Obd2 User Manual, focusing on understanding the wealth of live data parameters available to you.
This guide will break down the standard OBDII live data accessible through BlueDriver, helping you understand what each parameter means and how it can be used for vehicle diagnostics and maintenance. Keep in mind that the actual support for these data points can vary depending on your vehicle’s year and model. You can always verify compatibility using the BlueDriver Compatibility Tool.
Decoding Vehicle Operation Parameters with BlueDriver
The “Vehicle Operation” category provides essential real-time data about your engine and vehicle’s running condition. These parameters are crucial for diagnosing performance issues and ensuring your vehicle is operating efficiently.
Engine RPM
Description: Engine Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) indicates how fast your engine’s crankshaft is rotating.
Importance: Engine RPM is a fundamental parameter for understanding engine speed. Monitoring RPM is crucial for diagnosing issues related to idling, acceleration, and overall engine performance. Abnormal RPM readings can point towards problems with the engine’s control system, fuel delivery, or ignition.
Vehicle Speed
Description: Vehicle Speed shows the current speed of your vehicle.
Importance: This parameter is straightforward but essential for verifying speedometer accuracy and diagnosing speed-related issues. Discrepancies between the indicated speed and actual speed can point to problems with speed sensors or the vehicle’s computer system.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Description: Engine Coolant Temperature measures the temperature of the engine coolant, typically near the cylinder head or before the radiator. Some vehicles might have a second coolant temperature sensor (ECT 2) at locations like the thermostat outlet.
Importance: Maintaining the correct engine coolant temperature is vital for preventing overheating and engine damage. Monitoring this parameter helps ensure your cooling system is functioning correctly. High readings can indicate issues like a failing thermostat, radiator problems, or coolant leaks.
Alt text: Monitoring engine coolant temperature on BlueDriver app, displaying a normal operating temperature gauge reading for vehicle diagnostics.
Engine Oil Temperature
Description: Engine Oil Temperature measures the temperature of the engine oil, with sensor locations varying by vehicle, often near the oil filter.
Importance: Engine oil temperature is crucial for proper lubrication and engine longevity. Monitoring this parameter helps ensure the oil is within its optimal operating range. Overheating oil can degrade its lubricating properties and lead to increased wear.
Ambient Air Temperature
Description: Ambient Air Temperature reflects the air temperature surrounding the vehicle, typically slightly lower than the intake temperature.
Importance: Ambient air temperature affects engine performance and fuel efficiency. This reading can help diagnose issues related to air intake and temperature sensors. It’s also a useful reference point when comparing to intake air temperature readings.
Barometric Pressure
Description: Barometric Pressure is the local atmospheric pressure around the vehicle, displayed as an absolute value. Standard ambient pressure is around 101.3 kPa or 14.7 psi, varying with altitude and weather conditions.
Importance: Barometric pressure readings are used by the engine control module (ECM) to adjust fuel and air mixture for optimal combustion. Abnormal readings may indicate sensor issues or altitude changes affecting engine performance.
Accelerator Pedal Position
Description: Accelerator Pedal Position indicates the position of the driver’s accelerator pedal. There can be up to three sensors (Accelerator Pedal Position D, E, F) for redundancy and accuracy.
Importance: This parameter is directly related to driver input and engine response. Monitoring accelerator pedal position helps diagnose issues with throttle response and acceleration problems. Discrepancies between pedal position and engine RPM or throttle position can indicate sensor or wiring issues.
Relative Accelerator Pedal Position
Description: Relative Accelerator Pedal Position is the accelerator pedal position adjusted for the vehicle’s learned behavior over time. It accounts for adaptations and may not always reach 100% even at full pedal depression.
Importance: This parameter provides a more refined view of driver demand, taking into account vehicle-specific adaptations. It’s useful for diagnosing subtle throttle response issues and understanding how the vehicle’s computer interprets driver input.
Commanded Throttle Actuator
Description: Commanded Throttle Actuator represents the throttle position requested by the ECM based on the accelerator pedal position.
Importance: This parameter shows the ECM’s intended throttle position, which may differ from the actual throttle position due to various factors. Comparing commanded and actual throttle positions is crucial for diagnosing throttle control issues and electronic throttle body problems.
Relative Throttle Position
Description: Relative Throttle Position is the throttle position relative to the learned closed position. Carbon buildup or other factors can change throttle behavior over time, and this parameter reflects these adaptations.
Importance: This reading is valuable for diagnosing throttle body issues related to carbon buildup or wear. It helps identify if the throttle is closing properly and if adaptations are compensating for mechanical changes.
Absolute Throttle Position
Description: Absolute Throttle Position indicates how “open” the throttle is, from 0% (fully closed) to 100% (fully open). Vehicles may have up to four throttle position sensors (TPS A/1, TPS B/2, TPS C/3, TPS D/4).
Importance: This is a direct measurement of throttle valve opening. Monitoring absolute throttle position is essential for diagnosing issues with throttle response, idle control, and overall engine performance.
Control Module Voltage
Description: Control Module Voltage reflects the input voltage at the Engine Control Module (ECM). It shows battery voltage when the engine is off/ignition on and alternator voltage when the engine is running.
Importance: Proper voltage supply is crucial for the ECM’s operation. Monitoring this parameter helps diagnose electrical system issues, battery problems, and alternator malfunctions that can affect the ECM and overall vehicle performance.
Hybrid Battery Pack Remaining Life
Description: Hybrid Battery Pack Remaining Life, also known as State of Charge (SOC), shows the total charge percentage remaining in the hybrid battery pack. Individual cell data is not available through standard OBDII.
Importance: For hybrid and electric vehicles, battery health is paramount. This parameter helps monitor the overall state of charge of the hybrid battery, indicating its capacity and potential range.
Hybrid/EV Vehicle System Status
Description: Hybrid/EV Vehicle System Status reports various parameters specific to hybrid and electric vehicles:
- Hybrid/EV Charging State: Charge Sustaining Mode (CSM) or Charge Depletion Mode (CDM). Non-PHEVs will always display CSM.
- Hybrid/EV Battery Voltage: 0 to 1024V.
- Hybrid/EV Battery Current: -3300 to 3300 Amps, negative values indicate charging.
Importance: This parameter provides crucial insights into the operation of hybrid and electric vehicle systems, including charging status, battery voltage, and current flow. It’s essential for diagnosing issues related to the electric powertrain.
Calculated Engine Load Value
Description: Calculated Engine Load Value represents the current percentage of maximum available engine torque being produced (100% at Wide Open Throttle (WOT), 0% at key on engine off).
Importance: Engine load is a key indicator of how hard the engine is working. Monitoring this parameter helps diagnose engine performance under different driving conditions. High engine load can indicate engine strain or issues with power delivery.
Absolute Load Value
Description: Absolute Load Value is a normalized value representing air mass intake per intake stroke as a percentage. It’s calculated relative to air mass at 100% throttle under standard temperature and pressure. Naturally aspirated engines typically show 0-95%, while turbo/supercharged engines can reach up to 400%.
Importance: Absolute load provides a more standardized measure of engine load, independent of engine size. It’s particularly useful for comparing engine load across different vehicles and diagnosing issues related to air intake and engine efficiency.
Driver’s Demand Engine – Percent Torque
Description: Driver’s Demand Engine – Percent Torque shows the percentage of maximum available engine torque requested by the ECM based on accelerator pedal position, cruise control, and transmission input. External factors like traction control do not influence this value.
Importance: This parameter reflects the torque demanded by the driver, providing insight into the ECM’s torque management strategy. It’s helpful for diagnosing issues related to throttle response and power delivery as perceived by the driver.
Actual Engine – Percent Torque
Description: Actual Engine – Percent Torque, also known as Indicated Torque, displays the current percentage of total available engine torque, including brake torque and friction torque.
Importance: This parameter represents the actual torque being produced by the engine, taking into account various factors. Comparing actual torque to demanded torque helps diagnose engine performance issues and discrepancies in torque delivery.
Engine Friction – Percent Torque
Description: Engine Friction – Percent Torque is the percent of maximum engine torque required to overcome internal engine friction and run at no load. This includes components like pistons, cams, valves, fuel pump, oil pump, water pump, alternator, and emissions control equipment. It excludes power steering, AC compressors, and braking systems.
Importance: This parameter provides insights into the engine’s internal friction losses. Monitoring engine friction can help identify mechanical issues that increase friction and reduce engine efficiency.
Engine Reference Torque
Description: Engine Reference Torque is the factory-set torque rating of the engine, considered the 100% value for torque-related parameters. It does not reflect changes due to wear, upgrades, or tuning.
Importance: Engine reference torque provides a baseline for understanding torque-related parameters. It’s useful for comparing actual torque output to the engine’s designed capacity.
Engine Percent Torque Data
Description: Engine Percent Torque Data is used when vehicle or environmental conditions can change the reference torque. Up to five different maximum torque ratings can be specified, numbered 1-5. The reason for the change is not reported, requiring a factory manual for interpretation.
Importance: This parameter indicates dynamic adjustments to the engine’s maximum torque capacity based on conditions like altitude or fuel mapping changes. It’s crucial for understanding how the ECM adapts to varying operating environments.
Auxiliary Input/Output
Description: Auxiliary Input/Output is a composite datapoint reporting various statuses:
- Power Take Off (PTO) Status: On/Off.
- Automatic Transmission Status: Park/Neutral or Drive/Reverse.
- Manual Transmission Neutral Status: Neutral/Clutch In or In Gear.
- Glow Plug Lamp Status: Indicator On/Off.
- Recommended Transmission Gear: 1-15.
Importance: This parameter provides a consolidated view of various vehicle system statuses. While support is rare for transmission status via standard OBDII, when available, it offers convenient monitoring of auxiliary systems and transmission state.
Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT)
Description: Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) can report up to four sensor readings per exhaust bank:
- Sensor #1 – Post-turbo.
- Sensor #2 – Post-catalytic converter.
- Sensor #3 – Post-Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).
- Sensor #4 – No standard location, possibly after NOx control equipment. Location varies by vehicle, consult the factory manual.
Importance: EGT monitoring is crucial for diagnosing exhaust system issues, catalytic converter efficiency, and turbocharger health. High EGT readings can indicate problems with combustion, exhaust restrictions, or aftertreatment system malfunctions.
Engine Exhaust Flow Rate
Description: Engine Exhaust Flow Rate measures exhaust flow upstream of the aftertreatment system in kg/hr or lbs/hr, averaged over the last 1000ms.
Importance: Exhaust flow rate is an indicator of engine output and exhaust system health. Abnormal flow rates can point to issues like exhaust leaks, restrictions, or engine performance problems.
Exhaust Pressure
Description: Exhaust Pressure is displayed as an absolute pressure value. Engine off, it should read roughly ambient atmospheric pressure. Data may be reported from one or two exhaust banks. Sensor location varies; refer to the factory manual.
Importance: Monitoring exhaust pressure helps diagnose exhaust restrictions and backpressure issues. High exhaust pressure can reduce engine performance and indicate problems with the catalytic converter or exhaust system.
Manifold Surface Temperature
Description: Manifold Surface Temperature measures the temperature on the outer surface of the exhaust manifold.
Importance: Exhaust manifold temperature is another indicator of exhaust system heat and potential issues. Overheating manifolds can indicate combustion problems or exhaust restrictions.
Timing Advance for #1 Cylinder
Description: Timing Advance for #1 Cylinder is the angle of crankshaft rotation before Top Dead Center (BTDC) when the spark plug for cylinder #1 starts to fire. Positive values are BTDC, negative values are After Top Dead Center (ATDC).
Importance: Ignition timing is critical for optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency. Monitoring timing advance helps diagnose issues with ignition system control and timing-related engine problems.
Engine Run Time
Description: Engine Run Time reports:
- Total engine run time in seconds.
- Total engine idle time in seconds (defined by no throttle input, low RPM, PTO inactive, and low vehicle speed).
- Total run time with PTO engaged (if equipped).
Importance: Engine run time data is valuable for tracking engine usage and maintenance intervals. Idle time data can be useful for understanding vehicle operating patterns and fuel consumption during idle.
Run Time Since Engine Start
Description: Run Time Since Engine Start is the run time in seconds since the engine was last started.
Importance: This parameter provides a short-term engine run time measurement, useful for diagnosing issues that occur after engine start-up or during specific driving cycles.
Time Run with MIL On
Description: Time Run with MIL On is the engine run time since the Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Lamp – MIL) was activated after a code was thrown. It stops increasing at 65,535 minutes (roughly 45 engine-days) and continues to increment as long as the ignition is on, even in hybrids or vehicles with Stop/Start.
Importance: This parameter helps track how long the vehicle has been driven with an active Check Engine Light. It’s useful for assessing the persistence of the issue and planning for repairs.
Distance Traveled while MIL is Activated
Description: Distance Traveled while MIL is Activated is the distance driven since the Check Engine Light last illuminated, reset when codes are cleared or the battery is disconnected.
Importance: Similar to Time Run with MIL On, this parameter tracks distance driven with an active Check Engine Light. It complements the time-based measurement, providing a distance-based perspective on driving with a fault.
Time since Trouble Codes Cleared
Description: Time since Trouble Codes Cleared is the engine run time since codes were last cleared, either by a scan tool or battery disconnection. It stops increasing at 65,535 minutes and continues to increment as long as the ignition is on, even in hybrids or vehicles with Stop/Start.
Importance: This parameter helps track the time elapsed since the last code clearing. It’s useful for monitoring if a problem recurs after codes have been reset.
Distance Traveled Since Codes Cleared
Description: Distance Traveled Since Codes Cleared is the distance traveled since engine codes were cleared with a scan tool or battery disconnection. Clearing non-engine codes (e.g., ABS) does not reset this value.
Importance: Similar to Time since Trouble Codes Cleared, this parameter tracks distance driven since the last code clearing, providing a distance-based perspective on potential fault recurrence.
Warm-ups Since Codes Cleared
Description: Warm-ups Since Codes Cleared is the number of engine warm-up cycles since codes were last cleared or the battery was disconnected. A warm-up cycle is defined by a coolant temperature increase of at least 22°C/40°F after startup and reaching at least 70°C/170°F (or 60°C/140°F for diesel). The counter stops at 255. Clearing non-engine codes does not reset this value.
Importance: This parameter counts engine warm-up cycles since the last code clearing. It’s useful for diagnosing intermittent issues that may be related to engine temperature cycles or warm-up behavior.
Fuel & Air Data Monitoring using BlueDriver OBD2
The “Fuel & Air” category provides vital information about your engine’s fuel delivery and air intake systems. These parameters are essential for diagnosing fuel efficiency issues, air intake problems, and ensuring optimal engine combustion.
Fuel System Status
Description: Fuel System Status indicates whether your vehicle is running in ‘open’ or ‘closed’ loop mode.
- Open loop: ECM uses pre-programmed air:fuel ratios.
- Closed loop: ECM uses O2 sensor feedback to adjust air:fuel ratio.
System A & B represent distinct fuel systems (e.g., CNG & diesel on one vehicle), not bank numbers. Most passenger vehicles have one fuel system, reporting system B as open loop.
Importance: Understanding fuel system status is critical for diagnosing fuel control issues. Open loop operation may indicate sensor failures preventing closed loop control, affecting fuel efficiency and emissions.
Oxygen Sensor Voltage
Description: Oxygen Sensor Voltage is the voltage output of the O2 sensors. (See How are O2 Sensors Displayed?) Consult resources like Walker’s O2 Sensor Training Guide for detailed interpretation.
Importance: O2 sensor voltage readings are crucial for diagnosing air-fuel mixture imbalances. Voltage fluctuations indicate the sensor’s response to oxygen levels in the exhaust, helping pinpoint lean or rich conditions.
Oxygen Sensor Equivalence Ratio
Description: Oxygen Sensor Equivalence Ratio, also known as Lambda, is another way to represent O2 sensor readings. (See How are O2 Sensors Displayed?)
Importance: Equivalence ratio provides a normalized representation of the air-fuel mixture. Lambda values around 1 indicate a stoichiometric mixture, while values above 1 indicate lean conditions and below 1 indicate rich conditions.
Oxygen Sensor Current
Description: Oxygen Sensor Current, similar to voltage, reflects air-fuel ratio:
- 0mA: balanced air:fuel ratio.
- Positive current: lean mixture.
- Negative current: rich mixture.
(See How are O2 Sensors Displayed?)
Importance: O2 sensor current readings offer an alternative way to assess air-fuel mixture. Current readings can be particularly useful for diagnosing specific types of O2 sensors and their response characteristics.
Short Term Fuel Trim
Description: Short Term Fuel Trim (STFT) is a rapid fuel injection rate adjustment based on O2 sensor data.
- Negative trim: rich condition (less fuel needed).
- Positive trim: lean condition (more fuel needed).
Bank number indicates the engine side, and Sensor 1 vs 2 indicates pre- and post-catalytic converter sensors. STFT is combined with Long Term Fuel Trim (LTFT) for net correction. Post-cat sensor fuel trim may often display as 99.2% when not used.
Importance: STFT values are essential for diagnosing short-term air-fuel mixture deviations. Significant positive or negative STFT values can indicate problems with fuel delivery, air intake, or sensor readings.
Long Term Fuel Trim
Description: Long Term Fuel Trim (LTFT) is a slower, learned fuel injection adjustment over a longer period. Bank and sensor designations are the same as STFT. Post-cat sensor fuel trim may often display as 99.2% when not used.
Importance: LTFT values reflect long-term adaptations to the air-fuel mixture. Elevated LTFT values can indicate persistent lean or rich conditions due to issues like vacuum leaks, fuel injector problems, or MAF sensor inaccuracies.
Commanded Equivalence Ratio
Description: Commanded Equivalence Ratio is the fuel:air ratio requested by the ECM, displayed as lambda (>1 lean, <1 rich, ~1 ideal).
- Wide range O2 sensors: displayed in open & closed loop.
- Conventional O2 sensors: displayed in open loop, 1.0 in closed loop.
Importance: Commanded equivalence ratio shows the ECM’s target air-fuel mixture. Comparing commanded and actual equivalence ratios (from O2 sensors) helps diagnose fuel control accuracy and identify deviations from the desired mixture.
Mass Air Flow Rate
Description: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Rate is the flow rate of air through the intake in g/s or lb/min. On turbocharged vehicles, the MAF sensor is upstream of the turbo.
Importance: MAF sensor readings are crucial for determining air intake volume and engine load. Abnormal MAF readings can indicate MAF sensor malfunctions, air intake restrictions, or vacuum leaks.
Intake Air Temperature
Description: Intake Air Temperature (IAT) is the temperature of the air entering the intake. Turbocharged vehicles may have two IAT sensors: #1 before the turbo, #2 after. Some configurations may have sensors for banks 1 and 2. IAT should be slightly above ambient air temperature in normal operation.
Importance: IAT affects air density and engine performance. High IAT readings can reduce engine power. Monitoring IAT helps diagnose intake air temperature sensor issues and potential problems with air intake cooling.
Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure
Description: Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) is the pressure inside the intake manifold. For turbo applications, it’s pressure after the turbo/intercooler. It’s an absolute pressure value. At idle, it’s slightly below ambient pressure, indicating vacuum. Key on/engine off, it’s ambient pressure. MAP shows total pressure; subtract ambient pressure to get gauge pressure.
Importance: MAP readings are essential for understanding manifold pressure, especially in turbocharged vehicles. They help diagnose boost pressure issues, vacuum leaks, and sensor malfunctions.
Fuel Pressure (Gauge)
Description: Fuel Pressure (Gauge) is the fuel pressure value, a gauge value. 0 indicates atmospheric/ambient pressure.
Importance: Fuel pressure is critical for proper fuel delivery. Monitoring gauge fuel pressure helps diagnose fuel pump issues, fuel pressure regulator problems, and fuel line restrictions.
Fuel Rail Pressure
Description: Fuel Rail Pressure is the pressure in the fuel rail, displayed as a gauge value (0 psi/kPa is atmospheric pressure).
Importance: Fuel rail pressure is a more precise measurement of fuel pressure at the injectors. It’s crucial for diagnosing high-pressure fuel system issues, especially in direct injection engines.
Fuel Rail Pressure (Absolute)
Description: Fuel Rail Pressure (Absolute) is the pressure in the fuel rail as an absolute pressure value. When the fuel rail is not pressurized, it displays ambient pressure (roughly 14.7 psi or 101.3 kPa).
Importance: Absolute fuel rail pressure provides a reference point relative to vacuum. Comparing absolute and gauge pressure readings can be useful in specific diagnostic situations.
Fuel Rail Pressure (relative to manifold vacuum)
Description: Fuel Rail Pressure (relative to manifold vacuum) is the fuel pressure value relative to the intake manifold pressure.
Importance: This parameter provides fuel pressure referenced to manifold vacuum, which can be helpful for diagnosing fuel delivery issues under varying engine load conditions.
Alcohol Fuel %
Description: Alcohol Fuel % is the ethanol/alcohol content measured by the ECM in percentage. E85 blend would show 85%.
Importance: For flex-fuel vehicles, monitoring alcohol content is important for ensuring proper fuel mixture and engine operation. Incorrect alcohol percentages can indicate fuel quality issues or sensor problems.
Fuel Level Input
Description: Fuel Level Input is the percentage of maximum fuel tank capacity.
Importance: Fuel level input is a basic but useful parameter for verifying fuel gauge accuracy and monitoring fuel consumption.
Engine Fuel Rate
Description: Engine Fuel Rate is near-instantaneous fuel consumption in Liters or Gallons per hour, calculated by the ECM using fuel volume in the last 1000ms. It excludes fuel for diesel aftertreatment systems.
Importance: Engine fuel rate provides real-time fuel consumption data. Monitoring this parameter helps diagnose fuel efficiency issues and identify driving conditions that impact fuel economy.
Cylinder Fuel Rate
Description: Cylinder Fuel Rate is the calculated fuel injected per cylinder during the most recent intake stroke, in mg/stroke.
Importance: Cylinder fuel rate provides a more detailed view of fuel injection per cylinder. It can be helpful for diagnosing cylinder-specific fuel delivery issues or imbalances.
Fuel System Percentage Use
Description: Fuel System Percentage Use displays the % of total fuel usage for each cylinder bank, up to four banks, or for two separate fuel systems (e.g., diesel & CNG).
Importance: Fuel system percentage use helps identify fuel distribution imbalances across engine banks or between different fuel systems in multi-fuel vehicles.
Fuel Injection Timing
Description: Fuel Injection Timing is the angle of crankshaft rotation before Top Dead Center (BTDC) when fuel injection begins. Positive angles are BTDC, negative angles are ATDC.
Importance: Fuel injection timing is critical for optimal combustion and emissions. Monitoring injection timing helps diagnose issues with fuel injection control and timing-related engine problems.
Fuel System Control
Description: Fuel System Control reports status for diesel fuel systems 1 & 2:
- Fuel pressure control: Closed/Open loop.
- Fuel injection quantity: Closed/Open loop.
- Fuel injection timing: Closed/Open loop.
- Idle fuel balance/contribution: Closed/Open loop.
Closed loop indicates sensor feedback for fine tuning. System 2 may not be in use on most vehicles.
Importance: For diesel vehicles, fuel system control status provides insights into the closed-loop operation of various fuel control parameters. Open loop operation may indicate sensor or control system issues.
Fuel Pressure Control System
Description: Fuel Pressure Control System displays data for up to two fuel rails:
- Commanded rail pressure.
- Actual rail pressure.
- Temperature.
Pressure is gauge pressure (0 is atmospheric). Sensor location varies; consult the factory manual.
Importance: This parameter provides detailed fuel rail pressure information for advanced diagnostics of high-pressure fuel systems in diesel and gasoline direct injection engines.
Injection Pressure Control System
Description: Injection Pressure Control System is used in some diesels with hydraulically intensified fuel injection. It monitors oil pressure on the oil side of the fuel system:
- Commanded Control Pressure Rail A.
- Actual Pressure Rail A.
- Commanded Control Pressure Rail B.
- Actual Pressure Rail B.
Importance: For diesel engines with hydraulic fuel injection, this parameter is crucial for diagnosing issues within the high-pressure oil system that controls fuel injection pressure.
Boost Pressure Control
Description: Boost Pressure Control shows data for one or two turbochargers:
- ECM commanded boost pressure.
- Actual boost pressure.
Reported in absolute pressure. Gauge pressure is absolute pressure minus atmospheric pressure. Operating mode feedback: Open Loop, Closed Loop, Fault Present.
Importance: Boost pressure is essential for turbocharged engines. Monitoring commanded and actual boost pressure helps diagnose turbocharger performance issues, boost leaks, and control system malfunctions.
Turbocharger RPM
Description: Turbocharger RPM is the measured turbine RPM of one or both turbos. Max value 655,350 rpm.
Importance: Turbo RPM provides direct insight into turbocharger speed. Monitoring turbo RPM helps diagnose turbocharger performance and identify potential overspeed or underspeed conditions.
Turbocharger Temperature
Description: Turbocharger Temperature reports data for one or two turbos:
- Compressor inlet temperature (pre-turbo).
- Compressor outlet temperature (post-turbo, should be higher).
- Turbine inlet temperature (pre-turbine).
- Turbine outlet temperature (post-turbine).
Charge air temperature range: -40 to 215°C. Exhaust temperature range: -40 to 6513.5°C.
Importance: Turbocharger temperatures are critical for turbocharger health and performance. Monitoring compressor and turbine temperatures helps diagnose overheating issues, cooling system problems, and exhaust gas temperature abnormalities.
Turbocharger Compressor Inlet Pressure Sensor
Description: Turbocharger Compressor Inlet Pressure Sensor measures pressure at the turbo inlet for one or two turbos. It’s an absolute pressure value (14.7 psi / 101.3 kPa is atmospheric).
Importance: Turbo inlet pressure provides a reference point for understanding turbocharger inlet conditions. It can help diagnose air intake restrictions or issues affecting turbocharger airflow.
Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) Control
Description: Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) Control displays data related to VGT vane position for one or two turbos:
- Commanded VGT Position (0% max bypass, 100% max boost).
- Actual VGT Vane Position.
- VGT Control Status: Closed/Open Loop, Fault State.
Importance: For vehicles with VGT turbos, monitoring VGT vane position is crucial for diagnosing turbocharger boost control and performance. VGT control issues can lead to underboost or overboost conditions.
Wastegate Control
Description: Wastegate Control reports data for electronic wastegate systems (one or two):
- Commanded wastegate position (0% fully closed, 100% max bypass).
- Actual wastegate position (0% to 100%).
Importance: For vehicles with wastegate turbos, monitoring wastegate position is essential for diagnosing boost control and preventing overboost conditions. Wastegate control issues can lead to turbocharger damage or performance problems.
Charge Air Cooler Temperature (CACT)
Description: Charge Air Cooler Temperature (CACT) reports intercooler air charge temperature for turbocharged vehicles with up to four sensors: Bank 1 Sensor 1, Bank 1 Sensor 2, Bank 2 Sensor 1, Bank 2 Sensor 2. Sensor mapping is vehicle-specific; consult the factory manual.
Importance: CACT readings are vital for assessing intercooler efficiency. High CACT readings indicate reduced intercooler performance, leading to hotter intake air and reduced engine power.
Emissions Control Equipment Insights from BlueDriver Scan Tool
The “Emissions Control” category provides data related to your vehicle’s emission control systems. These parameters are crucial for diagnosing emission-related issues, ensuring your vehicle meets emission standards, and maintaining environmental compliance.
Commanded EGR
Description: Commanded EGR is the commanded opening percentage of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve (0% fully closed, 100% fully open).
Importance: EGR system control is essential for reducing NOx emissions. Monitoring commanded EGR position helps diagnose EGR valve malfunctions and EGR system control issues.
EGR Error
Description: EGR Error is the percent difference between commanded and actual EGR valve opening. Special Note: If commanded EGR is 0%, EGR error reads 0% if actual is also 0%, or 99.2% if actual EGR is not 0% (undefined/not applicable). Calculated as (actual – commanded)/commanded.
Importance: EGR error helps assess the accuracy of EGR valve control. High EGR error percentages can indicate EGR valve sticking, sensor issues, or control system problems.
Commanded Diesel Intake Air Flow Control
Description: Commanded Diesel Intake Air Flow Control, also known as EGR Throttle, is used in some newer diesels to create intake vacuum for EGR. Displays:
- Commanded position of intake air flow throttle plate (closed to 100% open).
- Actual position of EGR throttle.
- Commanded position of secondary EGR throttle (if fitted).
- Actual position of secondary EGR throttle.
Importance: For diesel engines with EGR throttles, monitoring commanded and actual throttle positions helps diagnose EGR system control and intake airflow management.
Exhaust Gas Recirculation Temperature
Description: Exhaust Gas Recirculation Temperature reports up to four EGR temperature values:
- EGRTA – Bank 1 Pre-Cooler.
- EGRTB – Bank 1 Post-Cooler.
- EGRTC – Bank 2 Pre-Cooler.
- EGRTD – Bank 2 Post-Cooler.
Importance: EGR temperature readings are important for monitoring EGR cooler performance and diagnosing EGR system efficiency. Abnormal EGR temperatures can indicate cooler malfunctions or EGR flow issues.
EVAP System Vapor Pressure
Description: EVAP System Vapor Pressure is the gauge pressure of the Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) system, measured in the fuel tank or EVAP line. Sensor location varies; consult the factory manual.
Importance: EVAP system pressure monitoring is crucial for diagnosing EVAP leaks and system integrity. Pressure readings help pinpoint leaks in the fuel tank, vapor lines, or EVAP components.
Absolute Evap System Vapor Pressure
Description: Absolute Evap System Vapor Pressure is the absolute pressure of the EVAP system, measured in the fuel tank or EVAP line. It’s an absolute pressure measurement (14.7 psi / 101.3 kPa is 0 gauge pressure).
Importance: Absolute EVAP pressure provides a reference point for vacuum and pressure testing of the EVAP system. It complements gauge pressure readings in leak detection and system diagnostics.
Commanded Evaporative Purge
Description: Commanded Evaporative Purge is the EVAP purge flow rate requested by the ECM (0% fully closed – 100% maximum).
Importance: Commanded EVAP purge flow indicates the ECM’s control of the EVAP purge valve. Monitoring this parameter helps diagnose purge valve malfunctions and EVAP system flow issues.
Catalyst Temperature
Description: Catalyst Temperature is the temperature of the catalytic converter. Bank # indicates engine side, Sensor # indicates pre- (#1) or post- (#2) catalytic converter sensor.
Importance: Catalyst temperature monitoring is essential for assessing catalytic converter efficiency and diagnosing overheating conditions. Overheating catalysts can be damaged or indicate engine combustion problems.
Diesel Aftertreatment Status
Description: Diesel Aftertreatment Status is a hybrid datapoint reporting various Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and NOx adsorber statuses:
- Current DPF Regeneration Status: Active/Not Active.
- Current DPF Regeneration Type: Passive/Active.
- NOx Adsorber Regen Status: Active/Not Active.
- NOx Adsorber Desulferization Status: Active/Not Active.
- Normalized Trigger for DPF Regen: Percentage until next regen (0% completed, 100% about to start).
- Average Time Between DPF Regens.
- Average Distance Between DPF Regens.
Importance: For diesel vehicles, aftertreatment status is crucial for monitoring DPF regeneration cycles, NOx adsorber performance, and overall emissions control system health.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Sensor Data
Description: Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Sensor Data reports:
- DEF Type: Urea too high, Urea too low, Straight diesel, Proper DEF, Sensor fault.
- DEF Concentration (should be ~32.5% for proper DEF).
- DEF Tank Temperature.
- DEF Tank Level (may not be progressive).
Importance: For diesel vehicles with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, DEF sensor data is vital for monitoring DEF quality, concentration, tank level, and system health.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Description: Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) reports up to three datapoints:
- Inlet pressure.
- Outlet pressure.
- Differential pressure across the DPF.
Increased differential pressure indicates soot accumulation. Bank 1 vs 2 indicates engine side.
Importance: DPF pressure readings are crucial for monitoring soot load and diagnosing DPF clogging. High differential pressure indicates the need for regeneration or potential DPF malfunctions.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Temperature
Description: Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Temperature reports up to two datapoints per exhaust bank:
- Inlet temperature.
- Outlet temperature.
Bank 1 vs 2 indicates engine side.
Importance: DPF temperatures are important for monitoring regeneration process and diagnosing DPF overheating or inefficient regeneration.
NOx Sensor
Description: NOx Sensor reports NOx concentration levels in ppm for up to four sensors:
- Bank 1 Sensor 1.
- Bank 1 Sensor 2.
- Bank 2 Sensor 1.
- Bank 2 Sensor 2.
Sensor number indicates position before (#1) or after (#2) NOx adsorber.
Importance: NOx sensor readings are essential for monitoring NOx emissions and diagnosing NOx reduction system performance.
NOx Control System
Description: NOx Control System reports data on the NOx adsorption system:
- Average Reagent Consumption Rate.
- Average Demanded Consumption Rate.
- Reagent Tank Level (0-100%, may not be progressive).
- NOx Warning Indicator Time.
Importance: For diesel vehicles with NOx adsorbers, this parameter provides insights into reagent consumption, tank level, and NOx warning indicator status.
NOx Sensor Corrected Data
Description: NOx Sensor Corrected Data is NOx concentration in PPM including learned adjustments and offsets.
Importance: Corrected NOx sensor data provides a more refined NOx reading, taking into account sensor calibrations and adaptations for improved accuracy.
NOx NTE Control Area Status
Description: NOx “not to exceed control area” (NTE) status reports:
- Vehicle operating inside/outside NOx control area.
- Vehicle operating inside manufacturer exception/”carve-out” region.
- NTE related deficiency within NOx operating control area.
Importance: NOx NTE status is relevant for emission compliance testing. It indicates whether the vehicle is operating within NOx emission limits under various driving conditions.
PM Sensor Bank 1 & 2
Description: PM Sensor Bank 1 & 2 reports data for particulate matter (PM) sensors:
- Particulate matter sensor active: yes/no.
- Particulate matter sensor regenerating: yes/no.
- Particulate matter sensor value: 0% (clean) to 100% (regen required).
Importance: PM sensor data provides direct measurement of particulate matter levels. It’s essential for monitoring particulate emissions and diagnosing PM filter performance.
Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor
Description: Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor is the soot concentration measured by PM sensors in mg/m3.
Importance: PM sensor readings provide a quantitative measurement of soot concentration, complementing the percentage-based PM sensor value.
PM NTE Control Area Status
Description: PM “not to exceed control area” (NTE) status reports:
- Vehicle operating inside/outside PM control area.
- Vehicle operating inside manufacturer exception/”carve-out” region.
- NTE related deficiency within PM operating control area.
Importance: PM NTE status is relevant for emission compliance testing related to particulate matter emissions.
SCR Inducement System
Description: SCR Inducement System reports SCR inducement status (on/off) and reasons for activation (low reagent, incorrect reagent, abnormal consumption, excessive NOx). Also reports occurrences in 10,000 km blocks and total distance traveled with inducement active.
Importance: SCR inducement system status indicates active driver alerts or functional restrictions due to SCR system issues. It helps diagnose problems triggering inducement and track their history.
NOx Warning And Inducement System
Description: NOx Warning And Inducement System reports warning/inducement levels (Level 1-3 severity) and statuses (Inactive, Enabled but not active, Active, Not supported). Also reports total engine hours for incorrect reagent, consumption, dosing interruption, EGR DTC, NOx control DTC.
Importance: NOx warning and inducement system data provides detailed information about warning severity levels and historical data on system faults, aiding in comprehensive diagnosis and troubleshooting.
Engine Run Time for AECD
Description: Engine Run Time for AECD (Auxiliary Emissions Control Device) reports total time (in seconds) each AECD was active. AECD device # and timers TIME1 (total run time AECD active) and TIME2 (max value “not used” or run time inhibiting >75% emissions control performance) are reported. Factory manual needed for AECD-specific information.
Importance: AECD run time data provides insights into the operation of emissions control defeat mitigation strategies. While detailed interpretation requires factory documentation, this parameter helps understand when and for how long AECDs are active.
By understanding these BlueDriver OBD2 live data parameters, you can gain a much deeper understanding of your vehicle’s operation and health. This knowledge empowers you to perform proactive maintenance, diagnose issues effectively, and ensure your vehicle is running at its best. Remember to always consult your vehicle’s service manual and the BlueDriver user manual for detailed diagnostic procedures and interpretations specific to your car model.
