Terminology & Abbreviations:Automotive Acronyms

OBD2/SAE ACRONYMS


ABS antilock brake system
A/C air conditioning
AC air cleaner
AIR secondary air injection
A/T automatic transmission or transaxle
SAP accelerator pedal
B+ battery positive voltage
BARO barometric pressure
CAC charge air cooler
CFI continuous fuel injection
CL closed loop
CKP crankshaft position sensor
CKP REF crankshaft reference
CMP camshaft position sensor
CMP REF camshaft reference
CO carbon monoxide
CO2 carbon dioxide
CPP clutch pedal position
CTOX continuous trap oxidizer
CTP closed throttle position
DEPS digital engine position sensor
DFCO decel fuel cut-off mode
DFI direct fuel injection
DLC data link connector
DPF diesel particulate filter
DTC diagnostic trouble code
DTM diagnostic test mode
EBCM electronic brake control module
EBTCM electronic brake traction control module
EC engine control
ECM engine control module
ECL engine coolant level
ECT engine coolant temperature
EEPROM elecrically erasable programmable read only memory
EFE early fuel evaporation
EGR exhaust gas recirculation
EGRT EGR temperature
EI electronic ignition
EM engine modification
EPROM erasable programmable read only memory
ESC electronic stability control EVAP evaporative emission system
FC fan control
FEEPROM flash electrically erasable programmable read only memory
FF flexible fuel
FP fuel pump
FPROM flash erasable programmable read only memory
FT fuel trim
FTP federal test procedure
GCM governor control module
GEN generator
GND ground
H20 water
HO2S heated oxygen sensor
HO2S1 upstream heated oxygen sensor
HO2S2 up or downstream heated oxygen sensor
HO2S3 downstream heated oxygen sensor
HC hydocarbon
HVS high voltage switch
HVAC heating ventilation and air conditioning system
IA intake air
IAC idle air control
IAT intake air temperature
IC ignition control circuit
ICM ignition control module
IFI indirect fuel injection
IFS inertia fuel shutoff
I/M inspection/maintenance
IPC instrument panel cluster
ISC idle speed control
KOEC key on, engine cranking
KOEO key on, engine off
KOER key on, engine running
KS knock sensor
KSM knock sensor module
LTFT long term fuel trim
MAF mass airflow sensor
MAP manifold absolute pressure sensor
MC mixture control
MDP manifold differential pressure
MFI multiport fuel injection
MIL malfunction indicator lamp
MPH miles per hour
MST manifold surface temperature
MVZ manifold vacuum zone
NVRAM nonvolatile randon access memory
NOX oxides of nitrogen
O2S oxygen sensor
OBD onboard diagnostics
OBD I onboard diagnostics generation one
OBD II onboard diagnostics, second generation
OC oxidation catalyst
ODM output device monitor
OL open loop
OSC oxygen sensor storage
PAIR pulsed secondary air injection
PCM powertrain control module
PCV positive crankcase ventilation
PNP park/neutral switch
PROM program read only memory
PSA pressure switch assembly
PSP power steering pressure
PTOX periodic trap oxidizer
RAM random access memory
RM relay module
ROM read only memory
RPM revolutions per minute
SC supecharger
SCB supercharger bypass
SDM sensing diagnostic mode
SFI sequential fuel injection
SRI service reminder indicator
SRT system readiness test
STFT short term fuel trim
TB throttle body
TBI throtle body injection
TC turbocharger
TCC torque converter clutch
TCM transmission or transaxle control module
TFP throttle fluid pressure
TP throttle position
TPS throttle position sensor
TVV thermal vacuum valve
TWC three way caalyst
TWC+OC three way + oxidation catalytic converter
VAF volume airflow
VCM vehicle control module
VR voltage regulator
VS vehicle sensor
VSS vehicle speed sensor
WU-TWC warm up three way catalytic converter
WOT wide open throttle

EMISSIONS RELATED ACRONYMS (OEM TERMINOLOGY)


AAV anti-afterburn valve (Mazda)
AIR Air Injection Reaction (GM)
AIS Air Injection System (Chrysler)
CC catalytic converter
CCP controlled canister purge (GM)
CCV canister control valve
CEC Crankcase Emission Control System (Honda)
CFC Chlorofluorocarbons
CP canister purge (GM)
DPF diesel particulate filter
ECS Evaporation Control System (Chrysler)
EEC Evaporative Emission Controls (Ford)
EECS Evaporative Emissions Control system (GM)
EFE Early Fuel Evaporation system (GM)
EGR-SV EGR solenoid valve (Mazda)
EGRTV EGR thermo valve (Chrysler)
EVRV electronic vacuum regulator valve for EGR (GM)
HAIS Heated Air Intake System (Chrysler)
OC oxidation converter (GM)
ORC oxidation reduction catalyst (GM)
PAFS Pulse Air Feeder System (Chrysler)
PAIR Pulsed Secondary Air Injection system (GM)
PVS ported vacuum switch
TAC thermostatic air cleaner (GM)
TAD Thermactor air diverter valve (Ford)
TVS thermal vacuum switch
TVV thermal vacuum valve (GM)

COMPUTERIZED ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS (OLDER OEM TERMINOLOGY)


C3 Computer Command Control system (GM)
C4 Computer Controlled Catalytic Converter system (GM)
CAS Clean Air System (Chrysler)
CCC Computer Command Control system (GM)
CVCC Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion system (Honda)
ECCS Electronic Concentrated Control System (Nissan)
EEC Electronic Engine Control (Ford)
ELB Electronic Lean Burn (Chrysler)
MCU Microprocessor Controlled Unit (Ford)
MISAR Microprocessed Sensing and Automatic Regulation (GM)
PGM-FI Programmed Gas Management Fuel Injection (Honda)
SCC Spark Control Computer (Chrysler)
TCCS Toyota Computer Controlled System

SENSOR ACRONMYNS (OEM TERMINOLOGY)


ACTS air charge temperature sensor (Ford)
AFS air flow sensor (Mitsubishi)
AFM air flow meter
APS absolute pressure sensor (GM)
APS atmospheric pressure sensor (Mazda)
ATS air temperature sensor (Chrysler)
BARO barometric pressure sensor (GM)
BMAP barometric/manifold absolute pressure sensor (Ford)
BP backpressure sensor (Ford)
BPS barometric pressure sensor (Ford & Nissan)
BPT back-pressure transducer
CAS crank angle sensor
CESS cold engine sensor switch
CID cylinder identification sensor (Ford)
CMP camshaft position sensor (GM)
CP crankshaft position sensor (Ford)
CTS charge temperature switch (Chrysler)
CTS coolant temperature sensor (GM)
CTVS choke thermal vacuum switch
ECT engine coolant temperature (Ford & GM)
EGO exhaust gas oxygen sensor (Ford)
EGRPS EGR valve position sensor (Mazda)
EOS exhaust oxygen sensor
EPOS EGR valve position sensor (Ford)
EVP EGR valve position sensor (Ford)
FLS fluid level sensor (GM)
HEGO heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor
IAT inlet air temperature sensor (Ford)
IATS intake air temperature sensor (Mazda)
KS knock sensor
MAF mass airflow sensor
MAP manifold absolute pressure
MAT manifold air temperature
MCT manifold charge temperature (Ford)
OS oxygen sensor
PA pressure air (Honda)
PIP profile ignition pickup (Ford)
SS speed sensor (Honda)
TA temperature air (Honda)
TP throttle position sensor (Ford)
TPP throttle position potentiometer
TPS throttle position sensor
TPT throttle position transducer (Chrysler)
TVS thermal vacuum switch (GM)
VAF vane airflow sensor
VSM vehicle security module
VSS vehicle speed sensor
WOT wide open throttle switch (GM)
WSS wheel speed sensor

ELECTRONIC COMPONENT ACRONYMS (OEM TERMINOLOGY)


ALCL assembly line communications link (GM)
ALDL assembly line data link (GM)
ASDM airbag system diagnostic module (Chrysler)
BCM body control module (GM)
CALPAK calibration pack
CECU central electronic control unit (Nissan)
CPU central processing unit
DERM diagnostic energy reserve module (GM)
DLC data link connector (GM)
EACV electronic air control valve (Honda)
EBM electronic body module (GM)
EBCM electronic brake control module (GM)
ECA electronic control assembly
ECM electronic control module (GM)
ECU electronic control unit (Ford, Honda & Toyota)
EEPROM electronically erasable programmable read only memory chip
EPROM erasable programmable read only memory chip
EI electronic ignition (GM)
IC integrated circuit
ICS idle control solenoid (GM)
ISC idle speed control (GM)
LCD liquid crystal display
LED light emitting diode
MIL malfunction indicator lamp
PCM powertrain control module (supercedes ECM)
PROM program read only memory computer chip
SES service engine soon indicator (GM)
TCC torque converter clutch (GM)
VCC viscous converter clutch (GM)

ELECTRONIC IGNITION ACRONYMS (OEM TERMINOLOGY)


BID Breakerless Inductive Discharge (AMC)
CDI Capacitor Discharge Ignition (AMC)
C3I Computer Controlled Coil Ignition (GM)
COP Coil On Plug ignition
CSSA Cold Start Spark Advance (Ford)
CSSH Cold Start Spark Hold (Ford)
DIS Distributorless Ignition System (Ford)
DIS Direct Ignition System (GM)
EDIS Electronic Distributorless Ignition System (Ford)
HEI High Energy Ignition (GM)
ITCS Ignition Timing Control System (Honda)
SDI Saab Direct Ignition
SSI Solid State Ignition (Ford)

SPARK CONTROL SYSTEMS AND DEVICES ACRONYMS (OEM TERMINOLOGY)


CCD computer controlled dwell (Ford)
CCEV Coolant Controlled Engine Vacuum Switch (Chrysler)
CSC Coolant Spark Control (Ford)
CSSA Cold Start Spark Advance (Ford)
CTAV Cold Temperature Actuated Vacuum (Ford)
CTO Coolant Temperature Override Switch (AMC)
DRCV distributor retard control valve
DSSA Dual Signal Spark Advance (Ford)
DVDSV differential vacuum delay and separator valve
DVDV distributor vacuum delay valve
ESA Electronic Spark Advance (Chrysler)
ESC Electronic Spark Control (GM)
ESS Electronic Spark Selection (Cadillac)
EST Electronic Spark Timing (GM)
OSAC Orifice Spark Advance Control (Chrysler)
PVA ported vacuum advance
PVS ported vacuum switch
SAVM spark advance vacuum modulator
SPOUT Spark Output signal (Ford)
SRDV spark retard delay valve
TAV temperature actuated vacuum
TCS Transmission Controlled Spark (GM)
TIC thermal ignition control (Chrysler)
TRS Transmission Regulated Spark (Ford)
VDV vacuum delay valve

FUEL SYSTEM ACRONYMS (OEM TERMINOLOGY)


AIS automatic idle speed motor (Chrysler)
ABSV air bypass solenoid valve (Mazda)
ASD automatic shutdown relay (Chrysler)
CANP canister purge solenoid valve (Ford)
CCEI Coolant Controlled Idle Enrichment (Chrysler)
CEAB cold engine air bleed
CER cold enrichment rod (Ford)
CFI Cross Fire Injection (Chevrolet)
CIS Continuous Injection System (Bosch)
CPI Central Port Injection (GM)
CVR control vacuum regulator (Ford)
DEFI Digital Electronic Fuel Injection (Cadillac)
DFS deceleration fuel shutoff (Ford)
EFC electronic fuel control
EFC electronic feedback carburetor (Chrysler)
EFCA electronic fuel control assembly (Ford)
EFI electronic fuel injection
FBC feedback carburetor system (Ford & Mitsubishi)
FBCA feedback carburetor actuator (Ford)
FCA fuel control assembly (Chrysler)
FCS fuel control solenoid (Ford)
FDC fuel deceleration valve (Ford)
FI fuel injection
IAC idle air control (GM)
ISC idle speed control (GM)
ITS idle tracking switch (Ford)
JAS Jet Air System (Mitsubishi)
MCS mixture control solenoid (GM)
MFI multiport fuel injection
MPFI multi point fuel injection
MPI multi port injection
PECV power enrichment control valve
PFI port fuel injection (GM)
SFI Sequential Fuel Injection (GM)
SMPI Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (Chrysler)
TABPV throttle air bypass valve (Ford)
TBI throttle body injection
TIV Thermactor idle vacuum valve (Ford)
TPI Tuned Port Injection (Chevrolet)
TKS throttle kicker solenoid (Ford)
TSP throttle solenoid positioner (Ford)
TV throttle valve

GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE ACRONYMS


A/C air conditioning
AC alternating current
A/F air/fuel ratio
A/T automatic transmission
ATC after top center
ATDC after top dead center
ATF automatic transmission fluid
AWD all-wheel drive
BAT battery
BHP brake horsepower
BTC before top center
BTDC before top dead center
Btu British thermal units
C Celsius
CC cubic centimeters
cfm cubic feet per minute
CID cubic inch displacement
dB decibels
DC direct current
DOHC dual overhead cams
DVOM digital volt ohm meter
EMI electromagnetic interference
F Fahrenheit
ft.lb. foot pound
FWD front-wheel drive
gal gallon
GND ground
GPM grams per mile
Hg mercury
hp horsepower
IGN ignition
ID inside diameter
I/P instrument panel
kHz kilohertz
kPa kilopascals
Km kilometers
KV kilovolts
L liters
lb. ft. pound feet
mm millimeters
ms millisecond
mV millivolts
MPG miles per gallon
MPH miles per hour
Nm Newton meters
OD outside diameter
OE original equipment
OEM original equipment manufacture
OHC overhead cam
P/B power brakes
P/N part number
PPM parts per million
PS power steering
PSI pounds per square inch
pt. pint
Qt. quart
RFI radio frequency interference
RPM revolutions per minute
RPO regular production option
RWD rear-wheel drive
SOHC single overhead cam
TACH tachometer
TDC top dead center
TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor System
V volts
VAC volts alternating current
VDC volts direct current
VIN vehicle identification number
WOT wide open throttle

MISCELLANEOUS


ABS antilock brake system
AERA Automotive Engine Rebuilders Assn.
API American Petroleum Institute
ASE Automotive Service Excellence
ATMC Automotive Training Managers Council
CAAT Council of Advanced Automotive Trainers
CAFE corporate average fuel economy
CARB California Air Resources Board
CCOT clutch cycling orifice tube
DOT Department of Transportation
DRBII Diagnostic Readout Box (Chrysler)
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FMVSS Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
FUBAR F--ked Up Beyond All Repair
IIIBDFI If it isn't broke don't fix it
IM240 inspection/maintenance 240 program
ISO International Standards Organization
KISS Keep It Simple Stupid!
MACS Mobile Air Conditioning Society
MAMA Midwest Automotive Media Assn.
MAP Motorist Assurance Program
MSDS material safety data sheet
NACAT National Assn. of College Automotive Teachers
NATEF National Automotive Technician's Education Foundation
NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
OBD onboard diagnostics
PERA Production Engine Rebuilders Assn.
QS9000 Quality assurance standard for OEM part suppliers
RABS Rear wheel Antilock Brake System (Ford)
RWAL Rear Wheel Antilock brake system (GM)
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
STS Service Technicians Society
SIR Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (air bag)
SRS Supplemental Restraint System (air bag)