Glossary 629
Data stream—The communication between a
scan tool and an onboard computer when the
scan tool is connected to the data link con-
nector (DLC) and the ignition switch is turned
on. The communication is in the form of bi-
nary code (serial data); it allows either one-
way or two-way communication between the
scan tool and the onboard computers.
Demultiplexor—An electronic chip that, when
built into a node, gives it the ability to receive
and decipher messages on a data bus.
Diagnostic routines—A section in the service
manual that lists possible causes of a drive-
ability complaint. It is the beginning point of
the diagnostic procedure once the complaint
has been verified.
Diagnostic trouble code (DTC)—A set of alpha-
numeric sequences the computer stores in
its memory when it senses failures in certain
sensor or actuator circuits. DTC is the term
used in OBD II literature; trouble codes
or fault codes were the terms used before
OBD II.
Digital—A voltage signal that is either of two volt-
age values but does not vary in a continuous
fashion between them. Typically these sig-
nals will be a voltage that is turned either on
or off but may also vary between two voltage
values that are both above ground. On a lab
scope, the change of voltage (either high or
low) shows a sharp, vertical edge.
Digital storage oscilloscope (DSO)—A lab
scope that displays a computer-generated
waveform that may be frozen, measured,
stored, downloaded to a PC, and printed
out. The on-screen adjustments include cou-
pling, ground level, volts per division, time
per division, and trigger characteristics; they
are similar to an analog lab scope. A DSO
is most often used to capture voltage wave-
forms over the time shown on the screen but
may also be configured with a low-current
probe to capture current waveforms (known
as current ramping ). A DSO is designed to
perform pinpoint tests of a circuit or compo-
nent.
Digital volt ohmmeter (DVOM)—A diagnostic
tool that allows the technician to view nu-
merical readings relating to voltage, amper-
age, and resistance measurements. Many
DVOMs can also be used to measure fre-
quency, duty cycle, pulse width, RPM, and
temperature. High-end units also may include
a bar graph to improve update resolution.
Auto-scaling DVOMs are designed to rescale
automatically according to the values being
measured. A DVOM is designed to perform
pinpoint tests of a circuit or component.
Diode—The simplest semiconductor, consisting
of only two semiconductor elements placed
back-to-back. A diode operates as an elec-
trical one-way check valve with no moving
parts.
Direct ignition/waste spark ignition—A direct
ignition system eliminates the ignition dis-
tributor and fires spark plugs directly from the
coil. If the direct ignition system is of the waste
spark type, each coil fires two spark plugs si-
multaneously. One spark occurs at the end of
its cylinder’s compression stroke, just before
the power stroke; the other spark occurs at
the cylinder 360 degrees apart in firing order
from the first, during the end of that cylinder’s
exhaust stroke. The two sparks are of oppo-
site polarity. Non–waste spark direct ignition
systems use one coil per spark plug.
Displacement on Demand (DOD)—General
Motors’ original name for their Active Fuel
Management (AFM) system, which is a vari-
able displacement system in which the PCM
disables cylinders to improve fuel economy
when engine load is light. The selected cyl-
inders are disabled by turning off the fuel
injector and spark and then disabling the
ability of the valves to open by use of a spe-
cially designed lifter, thus reducing pumping
losses by allowing the cylinder to act as an
air spring.
Driveability—Those factors, including ease of
starting, idle quality, and acceleration without
hesitation, that affect the ease of driving and
reliability.
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