* SAE J1850 PWM

* SAE J1850 VPW

*  ISO 9141-2

*  ISO 14230 (KWP2000)

*  CANBUS

WHAT IS CAN?

Controller Area Network (or CAN) is the newest automotive communication protocol. CAN Protocol is around 50 times the speed of the older protocols.

CAN was used in some cars starting in 2003, and is said to be the only protocol that will be used after 2007.

*  Live Data Stream

*  DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) meanings are displayed in text mode

*  Reads Freeze Frame Data

*  Large Backlit LCD Display

*  Large Database of Diagnostic Trouble Code(s)

*  Clears / Turns off Check Engine Light

*  Reads VIN number: great for verification of used cars!

*  Tests I/M Status: Misfire Monitor, Fuel System, O2 System, EGR System, MIL Status

*  Reads and clears generic and manufacture specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC)

*  Supports multiple trouble code requests: generic codes, pending codes and manufacturer's specific codes

*  Highly reliable and accurate

*  Easy to read backlit LCD display

*  Easy to use with one plug-in

*  Safely communicates with the on-board computer

*  Stand-alone unit with no need for an additional laptop computer to operate

*  FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH CAN PROTOCOL
 

 Does My Car Have OBD-II?
All cars and light trucks built and sold in the United States after January 1, 1996 were required to be OBD II equipped. In general, this means all 1996 model year cars and light trucks are compliant, even if built in late 1995.

Two factors will show if your vehicle is definitely OBD II equipped:
1) There will be an OBD II connector located under or around the dashboard, and
2) There will be a note on a sticker or nameplate under the hood: "OBD II compliant".
Where is the connector located?
The connector must be located within three feet of the driver and must not require any tools to be revealed. Look under the dash and behind ashtrays.

The Three Flavors of OBD II
While the parameters, or readings, required by OBD II regulations are uniform, the auto manufacturers had some latitude in the communications protocol they used to transmit those readings to scanners. Naturally, each felt they had the one true way, so we have three different OBD II communications protocols in use.

What Communications Protocol does my vehicle use?
As a rule of thumb, GM cars and light trucks use SAE J1850 VPW (Variable Pulse Width Modulation). Chrysler products and all European and most Asian imports use ISO 9141 circuitry. Fords use SAE J1850 PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) communication patterns.
There are some variations among captive imports such as the Cadillac Catera, a German Opel derivative, which uses the European ISO 9141 protocol.
 

On 1996 and later vehicles, you can tell which protocol is used by examining the OBD II connector:

J1850 VPW--The connector should have metallic contacts in pins 2, 4, 5, and 16, but not 10.
ISO 9141-2--The connector should have metallic contacts in pins 4, 5, 7, 15, and 16.
J1850 PWM--The connector should have metallic contacts in pins 2, 4, 5, 10, and 16.

(Note: may not be compatible with some VW, Audi, and Subaru vehicles)

For a complete list of tested vehicles, click on the link below. **Note: If your vehicle is not on this list it does not mean that the scanner will not work for you. This is only a list of tested vehicles.