UltraGauge Screens
Check Engine/Readiness
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continue to be displayed in the Left Column, the right column will not be
affected.
To restart/clear monitor status, select:
to clear Trouble Codes.
This will clear any posted trouble codes and reset the
readiness status
This status is not always available. It is more common on newer vehicles
and less common on older 90’s and early 2000’s vehicles.
If not supported by your vehicle, the column will show “NR” for all tests.
(See NR above)
If no results are shown, exit the menu, place the ignition to RUN and then
rerun the readiness menu item.
Always leave the ignition in the RUN
position (engine off), prior to and while checking the Readiness status.
This status is commonly available on all vehicles.
If “NR” is shown, exit the menu, place the ignition to RUN
and then rerun the readiness menu item.
Always leave the
ignition in the RUN position (engine off), prior to and while
checking the Readiness Status.
Gas Engine
Reports the readiness status for various non-continuous/drive-cycle readiness tests. The readiness status will continually be
read and displayed. As a result, if the ECU is busy running the monitors the status may change in real time. Pressing any
key will halt the readiness status monitoring and exit to the Menu. The following potential readiness test status is presented
by UltraGauge:
Catalyst:
Monitors the condition of the Catalytic Converters. Condition is determined by monitoring the O2 sensors before
and after the catalytic converters
Heated Catalyst:
Catalytic converters work best when hot. To quicken the effectiveness of the converters, most late model vehicles
electrically heat the catalytic converters. This test monitors the condition of the electrical heaters.
Evaporative System:
Monitors the Evaporative System which is present to collect fuel vapor and later feed such vapors into the engine.
Secondary Air System:
Some vehicles have a secondary air system which injects additional air (oxygen) into the exhaust system in an
attempt to further burn any unconsumed fuel. This monitor checks the condition of the various switches, solenoids,
valves, etc. that make up the secondary air system
AC System
The air conditioning system monitor was proposed when the alleged Ozone depleting R12 refrigerant was common.
The Federally mandated replacement of R12 with R134a occurred in 1994. The OBDII was standardized two years
later in 1996. Since R12 was replaced, the AC system monitor was no longer needed and was never made part of the
OBDII standard. However, some manufacturers may have preemptively included the monitor into their ECUs in
anticipation of the OBDII standard. In such an event, the monitor may be in place, but the vehicle will have R134a,
hence the monitor is irrelevant.
Oxygen Sensor:
Monitors the operation of the vehicle’s Oxygen sensors. O2 sensors measure the amount of Oxygen in the exhaust
system and allow the ECU to properly set the air-fuel mixture.
Oxygen Sensor Heater:
Oxygen sensors do not function until they are hot. Most modern vehicles use an electrical heating element
integrated into the O2 sensor to rapidly heat the sensor when the vehicle is cold. This monitor ensures the operation
of the heating element in the O2 sensor.
EGR/Variable Valve Timing:
The Exhaust Gas Recirculator system allows exhaust gases to re-enter the combustion chamber. Counter intuitively,
this gas reduces the combustion chamber temperatures and reduces Nitric Oxide emissions. This monitor ensures
that the components of the system are operating correctly. The function of the EGR valve can also be accomplished
with variable valve timing. With this approach there is a very small window where both the intake and exhaust
valves are open (if only slightly), and the exhaust can re- enter the cylinder during the intake stroke.
Note:
Not all vehicles support and perform all of the tests above.
Note:
For those States that use Readiness as a means to determine Emissions compliance, the required tests and the number
of tests is State dependent. Often a few failing monitors will not cause the emission inspection to fail. Check the State’s
website to determine which readiness tests are critical.
Note
: To restart/clear Right Column monitor status, select:
and select to clear check engine light.
This will clear any posted trouble codes and restart ECU readiness monitors
