SAE

A.1.2 FMI and Description

A.1.2.1 FMI=0—DATA VALID BUT ABOVE NORMAL OPERATIONAL RANGE - MOST SEVERE LEVEL

The signal communicating information is within a defined acceptable and valid range, but the real world
condition is above what would be considered normal as determined by the predefined most severe level
limits for that particular measure of the real world condition (Region e of the signal range definition). Broad-
cast of data values is continued as normal.

A.1.2.2 FMI=1—DATA VALID BUT BELOW NORMAL OPERATIONAL RANGE - MOST SEVERE LEVEL

The signal communicating information is within a defined acceptable and valid range, but the real world
condition is below what would be considered normal as determined by the predefined least severe level
limits for that particular measure of the real world condition (Region d of signal range definition). Broadcast
of data values is continued as normal.

A.1.2.3 FMI=2—DATA ERRATIC, INTERMITTENT OR INCORRECT

Erratic or intermittent data includes all measurements that change at a rate that is not considered possible
in the real world condition and must be caused by improper operation of the measuring device or its con-
nection to the module. Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

Incorrect data includes any data not received and any data that is exclusive of the situations covered by
FMIs 3, 4, 5 and 6 as follows in A.1.2.4 through A.1.2.7. Data may also be considered incorrect if it is
inconsistent with other information collected or known about the system.

This FMI is applicable for rationality type failures (see section 3.16).

A.1.2.4 FMI=3—VOLTAGE ABOVE NORMAL, OR SHORTED TO HIGH SOURCE

a. A voltage signal, data or otherwise, is above the predefined limits that bound the range (Region g of
the signal range definition). Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

b. Any signal external to an electronic control module whose voltage remains at a high level when the
ECM commands it to low. Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

A.1.2.5 FMI=4—VOLTAGE BELOW NORMAL, OR SHORTED TO LOW SOURCE

a. A voltage signal, data or otherwise, is below the predefined limits that bound the range (Region f of the
signal range definition). Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

b. Any signal external to an electronic control module whose voltage remains at a low level when the
ECM commands it to high. Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

A.1.2.6 FMI=5—CURRENT BELOW NORMAL OR OPEN CIRCUIT

a. A current signal, data or otherwise, is below the predefined limits that bound the range (Region g of the
signal range definition). Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

b. Any signal external to an electronic control module whose current remains off when the ECM com-
mands it on. Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

-73-
 SAE

A.1.2.7 FMI=6—CURRENT ABOVE NORMAL OR GROUNDED CIRCUIT

a. A current signal, data or otherwise, is above the predefined limits that bound the range (Region g of
the signal range definition). Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

b. Any signal external to an electronic control module whose current remains on when the ECM com-
mands it off. Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

A.1.2.8 FMI=7—MECHANICAL SYSTEM NOT RESPONDING OR OUT OF ADJUSTMENT

Any fault that is detected as the result of an improper mechanical adjustment or an improper response or
action of a mechanical system that, with a reasonable confidence level, is not caused by an electronic or
electrical system failure. This type of fault may or may not be directly associated with the value of general
broadcast information.

This FMI is applicable for rationality type failures (see section 3.16).

A.1.2.9 FMI=8—ABNORMAL FREQUENCY OR PULSE WIDTH OR PERIOD

To be considered in cases of FMI 4 and 5. Any frequency or PWM signal that is outside the predefined lim-
its which bound the signal range for frequency or duty cycle (outside Region b or the signal definition). Also
if the signal is an ECM output, any signal whose frequency or duty cycle is not consistent with the signal
which is emitted. Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

A.1.2.10 FMI=9—ABNORMAL UPDATE RATE

Any failure that is detected when receipt of data via the data link or as input from a smart actuator or smart
sensor is not at the update rate expected or required by the ECM (outside Region c of the signal range def-
inition). Also any error that causes the ECM not to send information at the rate required by the system.
This type of fault may or may not be directly associated with the value of general broadcast information.

This FMI is applicable for rationality type failures (see section 3.16).

A.1.2.11 FMI=10—ABNORMAL RATE OF CHANGE

Any data, exclusive of the abnormalities covered by FMI 2, that is considered valid but whose data is
changing at a rate that is outside the predefined limits that bound the rate of change for a properly function-
ing system (outside Region c of the signal range definition). Broadcast of data values is continued as nor-
mal.

This FMI is applicable for rationality type failures (see section 3.16).

A.1.2.12 FMI=11—ROOT CAUSE NOT KNOWN

It has been detected that a failure has occurred in a particular subsystem but the exact nature of the fault is
not known. Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value.

-74-
 SAE

A.1.2.13 FMI=12—BAD INTELLIGENT DEVICE OR COMPONENT

Internal diagnostic procedures have determined that the failure is one which requires the replacement of
the ECU, used here to mean the packaged unit that includes some microprocessor and its associated
components and circuits. It can be assumed that the communications subsystem is not the part that has
failed, and that the manufacturer has determined that there is no serviceable component smaller than the
ECU involved in the failure. Broadcast of data value is substituted with the “error indicator” value if appro-
priate, as there may or may not be any broadcast data involved. This error is to include all internal control-
ler trouble codes that can not be caused by connections or systems external to the controller.

This FMI is applicable for rationality type failures (see section 3.16).

A.1.2.14 FMI=13—OUT OF CALIBRATION

A failure that can be identified to be the result of not being properly calibrated. This may be the case for a
subsystem which can identify that the calibration attempting to be used by the controller is out of date. Or it
may be the case that the mechanical subsystem is determined to be out of calibration. This failure mode
does not relate to the signal range definition as do many of the FMIs.

This FMI is applicable for rationality type failures (see section 3.16).

A.1.2.15 FMI=14—SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

"Special Instructions" is the FMI to be used when the on-board system can isolate the failure to a small
number of choices but not to a single point of failure. When this FMI is used, there is a clear necessity for
the service technician to take some action to complete the specific diagnosis, and the Manufacturer has
provided instructions for the completion of that diagnosis. There are two cases where this will be used: 1.
for emission-related diagnostics where the particular failure cannot be separated between a sensor out of
range and the case where the actual value is at the edge of a diagnostic region, and 2. for the older SPN
611 to 615 where the problem is in determining which of two or more circuits (which may interact) is the
one that needs repair.

SPNs 611 through 615 are defined as “System Diagnostic Codes” and are used to identify failures that
cannot be tied to a specific field replaceable component. Specific subsystem fault isolation is the goal of
any diagnostic system, but for various reasons this cannot always be accomplished. These SPNs allow the
manufacturer some flexibility to communicate non-“specific component” diagnostic information. Since
SPNs 611-615 use the standard SPN/FMI format it allows the use of standard diagnostic tools, electronic
dashboards, satellite systems and other advanced devices that scan Parameter Groups containing the
SPN/FMI formats. Because manufacturer defined codes are not desirable in terms of standardization, the
use of these codes should only occur when diagnostic information cannot be communicated as a specific
component and failure mode.

Possible reasons for using a System Diagnostic Code include:

1. Cost of specific component fault isolation is not justified, or

Due to the fact that SPNs 611-615 are manufacturer defined and are not component specific, FMIs 0-13
and 15-31 have little meaning. Therefore, FMI 14, “Special Instructions”, is usually used. The goal is to
refer the service personnel to the manufacturer's troubleshooting manual for more information on the par-
ticular diagnostic code. This failure mode does not relate to the signal range definition as do many of the
FMIs. This type of fault may or may not be directly associated with the value of general broadcast informa-
tion.

-75-
 SAE

This FMI is applicable for rationality type failures (see section 3.16).

A.1.2.16 FMI=15—DATA VALID BUT ABOVE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE - LEAST SEVERE LEVEL

The signal communicating information is within a defined acceptable and valid range, but the real world
condition is above what would be considered normal as determined by the predefined least severe level
limits for that particular measure of the real world condition (Region i of signal range definition). Broadcast
of data values is continued as normal.

A.1.2.17 FMI=16—DATA VALID BUT ABOVE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE - MODERATELY SEVERE LEVEL

The signal communicating information is within a defined acceptable and valid range, but the real world
condition is above what would be considered normal as determined by the predefined moderately severe
level limits for that particular measure of the real world condition (Region k of signal range definition).
Broadcast of data values is continued as normal.

A.1.2.18 FMI=17—DATA VALID BUT BELOW NORMAL OPERATING RANGE - LEAST SEVERE LEVEL

The signal communicating information is within a defined acceptable and valid range, but the real world
condition is below what would be considered normal as determined by the predefined least severe level
limits for that particular measure of the real world condition (Region h of signal range definition). Broadcast
of data values is continued as normal.

A.1.2.19 FMI=18—DATA VALID BUT BELOW NORMAL OPERATING RANGE - MODERATELY SEVERE LEVEL

The signal communicating information is within a defined acceptable and valid range, but the real world
condition is below what would be considered normal as determined by the predefined moderately severe
level limits for that particular measure of the real world condition (Region j of signal range definition).
Broadcast of data values is continued as normal.

A.1.2.20 FMI=19—RECEIVED NETWORK DATA IN ERROR

Any failure that is detected when the data received via the network is found substituted with the “error indi-
cator” value (i.e. FE16, see J1939-71). This type of failure is associated with received network data. The
component used to measure the real world signal is wired directly to the module sourcing the data to the
network and not to the module receiving the data via the network. This FMI is applicable to Regions f and g
of the signal range definition. This type of fault may or may not be directly associated with the value of gen-
eral broadcast information.

A.1.2.21 FMI=20-30—RESERVED FOR SAE ASSIGNMENT

A.1.2.22 FMI=31—CONDITION EXISTS

Used to indicate that the condition that is identified by the SPN exists when no more applicable FMI exists
or in cases when the reported SPN name spells out the component and a non-standard failure mode. This
type of fault may or may not be directly associated with the value of general broadcast information. This
FMI will mean "not available" when the associated SPN is also "not available" as when the remainder of a
packet is filled with binary ones after all data has been transmitted.

This FMI is applicable for rationality type failures (see section 3.16).

-76-