The On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD2) connector is a crucial interface in modern vehicles, serving as the gateway to your car’s computer for diagnostics and monitoring. If you’re wondering about the physical structure of this port, a common question arises: How Many Pins Is An Obd2 connector equipped with?
The answer is that an OBD2 connector always has 16 pins. However, it’s not just about the quantity; it’s about understanding what each pin does and how they facilitate communication with diagnostic tools. This article will delve into the pinout of the OBD2 connector, explaining the purpose of each pin and how they relate to different communication protocols used in vehicles today.
While all OBD2 ports feature 16 pin locations, not all of them are always populated or active. The specific pins that are used depend on the communication protocol implemented by the vehicle manufacturer. These protocols dictate how data is transmitted between the car’s computer and external devices like scan tools.
Let’s break down the common OBD2 protocols and the pins they utilize:
Understanding OBD2 Protocols and Pin Usage
The Auterra Dyno-Scan product, like many OBD2 scan tools, is designed to be compatible with a range of OBD2 protocols. These protocols ensure that diagnostic tools can effectively communicate with a wide variety of vehicles. Here are the primary protocols and their corresponding pin configurations:
CAN (Controller Area Network) Protocol Pins
The CAN protocol is a widely adopted standard in modern vehicles, known for its robust and efficient data communication. If your vehicle uses the CAN protocol, you’ll typically find the following pins populated in your OBD2 connector:
| Pin # | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 | Ground |
| 6 | CAN High |
| 14 | CAN Low |
| 16 | Battery Power |
If you observe that pins 5, 6, 14, and 16 are present in your OBD2 port, it’s a strong indication that your vehicle utilizes the CAN protocol.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and KWP (Keyword Protocol 2000) Protocol Pins
The ISO and KWP protocols are older communication standards but are still found in many vehicles, particularly those manufactured before the widespread adoption of CAN. Vehicles using ISO or KWP protocols generally have these pins populated:
| Pin # | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 | Ground |
| 7 | K-Line (ISO 9141-2 & ISO 14230-4) |
| 15 | L-Line (ISO 9141-2 & ISO 14230-4) (Optional) |
| 16 | Battery Power |
In this configuration, you’ll typically see pins 5, 7, and 16 populated. Pin 15 is optional and may or may not be present depending on the specific vehicle implementation.
VPW (Variable Pulse Width Modulation) Protocol Pins
VPW was primarily used by General Motors vehicles. If your vehicle employs the VPW protocol, you’ll likely see these pins in use:
| Pin # | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 | J1850 Line |
| 5 | Ground |
| 16 | Battery Power |
Vehicles utilizing VPW will typically have pins 2, 5, and 16 populated in their OBD2 connector.
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Protocol Pins
PWM was primarily used by Ford vehicles. For vehicles that communicate using the PWM protocol, the pinout is as follows:
| Pin # | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 | J1850 Line |
| 5 | Ground |
| 10 | J1850 Line |
| 16 | Battery Power |
If your OBD2 connector has pins 2, 5, 10, and 16 populated, it suggests that your vehicle uses the PWM protocol.
OBD2 Connector Pin Layout (Front View)
To help you visualize the pin arrangement, here’s a representation of the OBD2 connector from a front view:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
+-------------------------------+
| O O O O O O O O |
| |
| O O O O O O O O |
+-------------------------------+
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16Pin Numbers and Descriptions
For clarity, here’s a table summarizing the standard pin assignments in an OBD2 connector. Keep in mind that not all pins are used in every vehicle, and their function depends on the implemented protocol.
| Pin # | Description | Common Usage in Protocols |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretion | – |
| 2 | J1850 Line | VPW, PWM |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretion | – |
| 4 | Chassis Ground | – |
| 5 | Signal Ground | CAN, ISO/KWP, VPW, PWM |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 & SAE J2284) | CAN |
| 7 | K-Line (ISO 9141-2 & ISO 14230-4) | ISO/KWP |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretion | – |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretion | – |
| 10 | J1850 Line | PWM |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretion | – |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretion | – |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretion | – |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 & SAE J2284) | CAN |
| 15 | L-Line (ISO 9141-2 & ISO 14230-4) | ISO/KWP (Optional) |
| 16 | Battery Power | CAN, ISO/KWP, VPW, PWM |
Conclusion
So, to reiterate, an OBD2 connector has 16 pins. While all connectors have 16 pin locations, the actual pins populated and utilized vary based on the communication protocol employed by the vehicle. Understanding these pinouts can be helpful in diagnosing potential communication issues and ensuring compatibility with OBD2 scan tools, especially when dealing with vehicles from international markets or older models. By checking the populated pins in your vehicle’s OBD2 port, you can gain a better understanding of its communication protocol and ensure you’re using the appropriate diagnostic equipment.
