Owners of ECM cars are often confronted with such definitions, as: OBD connector, computer diagnostics of the car via OBDII, checking and scanning engine errors by OBD. However, not everyone knows, which means the presence of this system in the car, as well as why you need OBD in the car. Let's take a closer look, what is the OBD system, namely OBDII.
Let's start with that, that OBD (On board diagnostics, from English. Onboard diagnostics) requires a special diagnostic connector. This solution is required to connect the scanner, laptop or smartphone to the OBD system. The very presence of OBD in the car means the possibility of self-diagnosis of the vehicle, and also allows you to read certain information from different onboard systems: ECU engine, Airbag control units, ABS system, etc.. In other words, OBDs allow you to check the status of various systems.
This self-diagnosis appeared in the United States, it happened a long time ago (since the early 80's). The main task of implementation was the struggle for the environment, that is, control over the composition of exhaust gases and the serviceability of systems, which reduced exhaust toxicity. The first versions were only able to determine the presence or absence of problems, without localizing the problem itself. Let's add, that initially each car manufacturer had its own OBD-I diagnostic connector standard and diagnostic equipment required to read data, which significantly complicated the inspection of vehicles of different brands within one car service.
Further development led to that, that OBD appeared 2, which has become a unified standard digital connector. Through this connector you can view information about the status and operation of individual systems of any vehicle in real time, read the necessary data and codes of the error control units stored in the memory to decrypt them. Thanks to this functionality, checking the machine via OBD-II today allows you to quickly and accurately detect existing faults in the event of its occurrence.
If you compare the OBD system at the initial stage with a more modern solution, then earlier versions touched on such elements: oxygen sensor, recirculation system (EGR), engine power supply system and engine control unit (ECU). The whole test was to determine the level of toxicity of exhaust gases. The advent of the OBD II standard has become a set of requirements, according to which the engine management system must meet the statutory standards for the composition of exhaust gases. It turns out, OBD II is not just a diagnostic connector with a specific thermostat, special communication protocols and formats displayed for car inspection, and a whole package of requirements, which must meet the products of different automakers.
In Europe, this standard is called EOBD and is based on the American OBD-II. This standard is mandatory for all vehicles from January 2001 In Japan, a similar standard is called JOBD. Today, OBD-III self-diagnostics is being actively developed, which should soon change OBD II.