What Is No Powertrain DTC Or Freeze Frame Data Meaning

If you are scanning a vehicle with an OBDII scan tool and get a “No Powertrain DTC or Freeze Frame Data,” message it means there are no codes to display.

The full message given by an OBDII scan tool is “No Powertrain DTCs or Freeze Frame Data is presently stored in vehicle’s computer.”

This can happen for a few reasons; usually, the car or truck needs to be driven around until a code is given.

Many vehicles manufactured after 2010 have a drive cycle that needs to be done before a code can be cleared.

It can also happen if the OBDII scan tool can not read the data since some codes are manufacturer-specific and require a compatible scan tool.

The issue is usually solved by driving the vehicle until a code is given or the issue clears.

What is a DTC?

DTC stands for Diagnostic Trouble Code and is a sequence of numbers given that point to an error.

The DTCs are the codes given when using an OBDII scan tool.

For example, a P0118 is an OBDII DTC code that reports there is a coolant temperature problem.

What is Freeze Frame Data?

Freeze frame data is a store of the data when an error happens.

A vehicle onboard computer (ECM) stores the data when an error occurs so it can be examined to see why the error occurred.

The data stored is called PID or parameter ID values which are displayed when the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) has a fault.

Summary When a “No Powertrain DTC or Freeze Frame Data” is given, it usually means the onboard computer (ECM) has no OBDII code to display.

The usual fix is to run the car or truck until a code is given, which can then be interpreted.

In some cases, the OBDII scan tool may not be able to read the ECM codes since there are manufacturer-specific codes.

All vehicles will have global OBDII codes, which are the basic agreed-upon codes all manufacturers use.

Most manufacturers will also add to these codes that are specific to the year and model of a vehicle.

For example, VAG Com (VCDS) is manufactured specifically for Volkswagen that used to be available for only dealers to read, but now there are publicly available VAG Com scan tools.

Unless the scan tool has the Vag-Com option built into the scan to it will not be able to read the specific codes, only the standard global codes.

Have you had an issue with a “No Powertrain DTCs or Freeze Frame Data is presently stored in vehicle’s computer.” message? Let us know your thoughts below.