The On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD2) system is a standardized system used in modern vehicles to monitor and report on their health. At the heart of this system is the J1962 connector, a standardized interface that allows diagnostic tools to communicate with your vehicle’s computer. Understanding the Obd2 Wiring Pinout is crucial for anyone working with car diagnostics, from professional mechanics to DIY enthusiasts. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to the OBD2 connector pinout, explaining its different types and the function of each pin.
Decoding the SAE J1962 OBD2 Connector Pinout
The SAE J1962 standard defines the physical connector used for OBD2 diagnostics. This connector is typically located within two feet of the steering wheel column and is readily accessible. While the physical connector is standardized, the signals assigned to each pin can vary depending on the vehicle manufacturer and the communication protocols they employ. However, there are common pin assignments that are essential to understand when dealing with obd2 wiring pinout configurations.
There are two main types of J1962 connectors defined by the standard, Type A and Type B, primarily differentiated by their voltage specifications.
SAE J1962 (OBD-II) Type “A” Connector (12V)
Type “A” connectors are designed for 12V systems, which are standard in most passenger vehicles. This is the most commonly encountered OBD2 connector type.
SAE J1962 (OBD-II) Type “B” Connector (24V)
Type “B” connectors are designed for 24V systems, typically found in heavy-duty vehicles and some commercial vehicles. It’s important to use compatible diagnostic tools and power supplies when working with Type B connectors due to the higher voltage.
OBD2 Pinout Descriptions and Functions
The following tables detail the pinout descriptions for various OBD2 implementations. While some pins are standardized across all vehicles, others are manufacturer discretionary, meaning their function can vary between car brands or even models. Understanding these variations is key to correctly interpreting the obd2 wiring pinout for your specific vehicle.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
This table represents a general OBD2 pinout configuration.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Switched +12V Ignition Signal |
| 2 | Unused (or unknown) |
| 3 | Ethernet RX+ |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) (500Kbps) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line (10.4Kbps) |
| 8 | – Secondary K Line for Body/Chassis/Infotainment Modules – Ethernet Enable (via 510 Ohm, 0.6 Watt resistor to battery voltage) |
| 9 | TD (Tachometer Display) Signal / Engine RPM Signal |
| 10 | Unused (or unknown) |
| 11 | Ethernet RX- |
| 12 | Ethernet TX+ |
| 13 | Ethernet TX- |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) (500Kbps) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (10.4Kbps) (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
This table shows an example of an OBD2 pinout with Ethernet capabilities.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unused (or unknown) |
| 2 | SAE J1850 VPW Bus + (10.4Kbps) |
| 3 | CCD Bus + |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | – CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) (500Kbps) – SCI A Engine (RX) (SAE J2610) (7812.5bps, 62.5Kbps, 125.0Kbps) |
| 7 | – ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line (10.4Kbps) – SCI A Engine (TX) (SAE J2610) (7812.5bps, 62.5Kbps, 125.0Kbps) – SCI A Trans (TX) (SAE J2610) (7812.5bps, 62.5Kbps, 125.0Kbps) – SCI B Engine (TX) (SAE J2610) (7812.5bps, 62.5Kbps, 125.0Kbps) |
| 8 | Unused (or unknown) |
| 9 | SCI B Trans (RX) (SAE J2610) (7812.5bps, 62.5Kbps, 125.0Kbps) |
| 10 | Unused (or unknown) |
| 11 | CCD Bus – |
| 12 | SCI B Engine (RX) (SAE J2610) (7812.5bps, 62.5Kbps, 125.0Kbps) |
| 13 | Unused (or unknown) |
| 14 | – CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) (500Kbps) – SCI A Trans (RX) (SAE J2610) (7812.5bps, 62.5Kbps, 125.0Kbps) |
| 15 | – ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (10.4Kbps) (Optional) – SCI B Trans (TX) (SAE J2610) (7812.5bps, 62.5Kbps, 125.0Kbps) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
This table illustrates a pinout with CCD and SCI communication protocols.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | – Infotainment CAN High – Ignition Control (activates low current switching device to power ignition current) |
| 2 | SAE J1850 PWM (Ford SCP) Bus + (41.6Kbps) |
| 3 | – DCL + – Medium-Speed CAN High (125Kbps, 250Kbps) – UBP Network #1 (9600bps) |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) (500Kbps) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line (10.4Kbps) |
| 8 | – Infotainment CAN Low – Trigger Signal (multiple module trigger input controlled through the communication link to initiate / terminate an event) |
| 9 | Battery Power (Switched) (vehicle battery power available via the ignition switch or ignition control [Pin 1]) |
| 10 | SAE J1850 PWM (Ford SCP) Bus – (41.6Kbps) |
| 11 | – DCL – – Medium-Speed CAN Low (125Kbps, 250Kbps) – UBP Network #2 (9600bps) |
| 12 | Flash EEPROM |
| 13 | – FEPS — ECU Programming Voltage – Flash EEPROM |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) (500Kbps) |
| 15 | Unused by Ford |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
This table provides a Ford specific OBD2 pinout example, including SCP and Medium-Speed CAN.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | – Single-Wire CAN (SAE J2411 / GMW3089) (33.3Kbps) – GM UART / ALDL (SAE J2740) (8192 bit/s) |
| 2 | SAE J1850 VPW Bus + (10.4Kbps) |
| 3 | Object Detection CAN Bus + |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) (500Kbps) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line (10.4Kbps) |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | GM UART / ALDL (SAE J2740) (8192 bit/s) |
| 10 | Unused (or unknown) |
| 11 | Object Detection CAN Bus – |
| 12 | Chassis High-Speed CAN Bus + (500Kbps) |
| 13 | Chassis High-Speed CAN Bus – (500Kbps) |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) (500Kbps) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (10.4Kbps) (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
This table shows a GM specific OBD2 pinout with Single-Wire CAN and Object Detection CAN.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
This table represents a common pinout configuration.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
Another common pinout configuration example.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
Example of a general OBD2 pin configuration.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
Another example of a generic OBD2 pinout.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
Common OBD2 pinout example.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
Example of a typical OBD2 pin configuration.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
Generic OBD2 pinout example table.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
Another example of a typical OBD2 connector pinout.
| Pin Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 2 | SAE J1850 Bus + (VPW / PWM) |
| 3 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 4 | Chassis Ground |
| 5 | Signal Ground |
| 6 | CAN High (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 7 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 K Line |
| 8 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 9 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 10 | SAE J1850 Bus – (PWM-only) |
| 11 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 12 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 13 | Manufacturer Discretionary |
| 14 | CAN Low (ISO 15765-4 and SAE J2284) |
| 15 | ISO 9141-2 / ISO 14230-4 L Line (Optional) |
| 16 | Vehicle Battery Power: – Type “A” 12V/4A – Type “B” 24V/2A |
A final example of a standard OBD2 pinout configuration.
Key OBD2 Pins and Their Functions
- Pin 4 & 5 (Ground): These pins provide the necessary ground connections for the OBD2 system to function correctly. Pin 4 is Chassis Ground and Pin 5 is Signal Ground, ensuring stable electrical reference.
- Pin 6 & 14 (CAN Bus): These are crucial for modern vehicles. Pin 6 (CAN High) and Pin 14 (CAN Low) form the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, which is the backbone of vehicle communication, enabling high-speed data exchange between various modules.
- Pin 7 & 15 (K-Line & L-Line): These pins are part of the ISO 9141-2 and ISO 14230-4 (KWP2000) protocols, older communication standards still used in many vehicles, particularly for diagnostic communication. Pin 7 is the K-Line, and Pin 15 is the optional L-Line.
- Pin 16 (Battery Power): This pin provides battery power to the diagnostic tool, typically 12V for Type A and 24V for Type B connectors. It’s essential for powering external diagnostic devices.
- Pins 2 & 10 (J1850 Bus): These pins are used for vehicles employing the SAE J1850 communication protocol, primarily used in older American vehicles. Pin 2 is J1850 Bus +, and Pin 10 is J1850 Bus -.
Understanding these key pins and the concept of obd2 wiring pinout is fundamental for effective vehicle diagnostics and repair. Always refer to vehicle-specific repair information for the most accurate pinout details, as manufacturer discretionary pins can vary.
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