What is OBD and OBDII?
[back] OBD stands for Onboard Diagnostics and OBDII stands for 2nd generation Onboard Diagnostics. In the early 90’s CARB (California Air Research Board) and the federal government realized that even with the most sophisticated emission controls and standards, it is all for naught if the system is not working properly. The result is a requirement to monitor all emission functions and alert the operator if any of these systems fails to serve it proper function (usually through the illumination of a Service Engine Soon or Check Engine light). Also in the regulation are requirements to have the Onboard ECM make some corrective actions that would still provide for some default signal to keep emissions to a minimum with inoperable components. A third requirement is a generic connector that allows for all vehicles to have basic common diagnostic trouble codes, connection, generic nomenclature of basic engine functions and the ability to access them with standard diagnostic equipment. OBD has
