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5 Tips for Faster CAN

Bus Diagnostics

1. 5 Essential Tips for Successful CAN Bus Diagnostics

1. Tip 1: Perform a Function Test

2. Tip 2: Full OBD Scan

3. Tip 3: Multimeter Checks

4. Tip 4: Oscilloscope Diagnosis

5. Tip 5: Find and Isolate CAN Bus Faults

5 Tips for Faster CAN Bus Diagnostics

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5 Essential Tips for Successful CAN

Bus Diagnostics
IF YOU are new to the world of CAN Bus diagnostics, you're in the right
place. CAN Bus can be tricky to diagnose, but by following these five
steps, you can make the process much easier. As someone
experienced in CAN Bus diagnostics, I understand the challenges, and
I'm here to help you navigate through them.

Tip 1: Perform a Function Test

To effectively diagnose CAN Bus issues, you need to comprehend the
network topology specific to your vehicle. Understanding the network
topology is like knowing the road map of your car's communication
system. Imagine your car's different parts, like the engine, transmission,
and even the wipers, need to talk to each other, just like friends using
different languages. These friends communicate through a special box
in your car called the "gateway."

When you know this network map, you can perform "function tests" to
check if everything is working as it should. For example, think about
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your car's speed. This information needs
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sensor, to ABS, then to various parts like the speedo, radio, the wipers,
and more. The gateway helps translate this information into a language
that each network understands.

So, sometimes, a test as simple as activating the turn signal indicator

can give you feedback as to whether the CAN bus networks are
communicating:

1. The Turn Signal Switch is on the Steering Column Module.

2. The Turn Signal message is sent on CAN Bus and shared to all networks
via gateway.
3. The Body Control Module receives this message and activates the
exterior lights.
4. The Instrument Cluster receives this message and displays the green
indicator light..

Understanding the network map helps you know where to look and
what to test, making it much easier to find and fix problems in your
car's communication system.

Our CAN Bus and Network Diagnostics training course shows you
how to map out your vehicle network to help make the most of vehicle
function tests.

Find out more and join Diagnostic Coach here.

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Understanding the network map is essential for CAN bus diagnostics.

Tip 2: Full OBD Scan

Performing a full OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) scan is a crucial step in
CAN Bus diagnostics. It can quickly help identify if there are any
network problems. If your scan tool can communicate with various
modules, it's a good sign that the CAN network is likely functioning
properly. However, if modules are missing or not responding, it might
be an indication of a CAN Bus issue that needs further investigation.

It's essential to understand your vehicle's network topology and how it

connects through the OBD connector. Some vehicles have all CAN
networks ending at the OBD plug, which can be handy for testing. But
in some cases, only one network is available through the OBD plug. If
you can successfully communicate with all modules through the OBD,
it indicates that the network connected to the OBD plug is probably in
good shape.

However, when modules are missing or not responding, it's crucial to

check power supplies, grounds, and fuses before diving into more
complex CAN Bus network troubleshooting. This step helps rule out
common electrical issues that might affect the network's operation.
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A scan tool with ‘topology’ network view like this ThinkTool Master 2 is
useful for network diagnostics.

Tip 3: Multimeter Checks

Before reaching for the oscilloscope, use a multimeter to perform some
initial checks.

Importance of Multimeter Checks:

1. Resistance Check: Multimeter checks allow you to measure the

resistance between the CAN High and CAN Low wires. The goal is to
find a total resistance of 60 ohms, but this doesn't give you the
complete picture of the network's health. It's more like checking the
two ends of a bridge to make sure they're connected.
2. Continuity Check: You can also use the multimeter to test for
continuity. This means ensuring that there's a good electrical path
between points. You can check for continuity between ground, power
supply, or even between the two wires in the CAN Bus network.
3. Voltage Check: Multimeters help you measure the voltage on the CAN
lines. For a high speed CAN network, you'd typically see around 2.6V
on CAN high and about 2.4V on CAN low. However, these values may
vary depending on the number of modules and network activity. If the
voltages on both CAN high and CAN low are the same, it could
indicate a short circuit (which should have been confirmed by your
resistance check). If both voltages are at 0V, it might suggest a short

to ground. If the voltages don't look right, you could be dealing with an
open circuit or a resistive short circuit.
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How to Perform Multimeter
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1. Resistance Check: Ensure the vehicle is asleep, or the battery is

disconnected before performing this test. Set your multimeter to the
resistance (ohms) mode. Connect the multimeter leads to the CAN
high and CAN low wires. A total resistance of 60 ohms indicates a
good connection. 120 ohms indicates a possible open circuit.
2. Continuity Check: Set your multimeter to the continuity mode (usually
depicted by a sound wave or a diode symbol). Touch one lead to a
point you want to test, like ground or power supply, and touch the
other lead to the wire or connector you're testing. If the multimeter
beeps or shows continuity, it means there's a good electrical path; this
is a good sign for wires, but a bad sign when checking to ground or live.
3. Voltage Check: Ensure the vehicle is awake or have the ignition
switched on. Set your multimeter to the DC voltage mode. Connect
the positive (red) lead to CAN high and the negative (black) lead to
CAN low. Measure the voltage and compare it to the expected values
for your specific network. Around 2.6V on CAN high and about 2.4V on
CAN low for High Speed CAN. Around 0.1V on CAN high and about
4.9V on CAN low for Low Speed CAN.

By using the multimeter for these checks, you can quickly identify
basic issues such as open circuits, shorts, or abnormal resistances.

Our CAN Bus and Network Diagnostics training course shows you
how to perform various multimeter network tests and accurately
interpret the results and good and bad systems.

Find out more and join Diagnostic Coach here.

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Performing multimeter checks helps you rule out common electrical

problems in the CAN Bus network.

Tip 4: Oscilloscope Diagnosis

When you've confirmed a network issue and the basics are covered, it's
time to bring out the oscilloscope. An oscilloscope provides a more in-
depth analysis of the CAN Bus signals. Here's what it helps you
achieve:

1. Visualizing CAN Bus Signals: CAN Bus communication involves

electrical signals transmitted as voltage levels on the CAN high and
CAN low wires. An oscilloscope allows you to visually represent these
voltage signals over time. This visualization is crucial because it
provides a clear and detailed view of how data is being transmitted and
received on the network.
2. Identification of Faults: An oscilloscope can help you spot anomalies
in the CAN Bus signals. It can reveal issues like short circuits, open
circuits, voltage spikes, or noise in the network. By examining the
waveform, you can identify irregularities which are essential for
troubleshooting network issues.
3. Detection of Intermittent Faults: Many CAN Bus problems are
intermittent, meaning they occur sporadically. Intermittent faults are
often challenging to diagnose with other tools. The oscilloscope is

invaluable for spotting intermittent faults that occur sporadically,

helping you pinpoint the root causes.
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4. Resistive Fault Detection: Sometimes,
Training issues are related to resistive
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faults, such as high resistance in connectors or wires. An oscilloscope
can reveal voltage drops or fluctuations that may indicate resistive
problems in the network.
5. Differentiating High Speed and Low Speed Networks: CAN Bus
networks can operate at different speeds. An oscilloscope enables you
to distinguish between high speed and low speed networks by
analyzing the waveform characteristics. This information is vital for
diagnosing the correct part of the network.

Oscilloscope is a powerful diagnostic tool for CAN Bus issues, offering

real-time visibility into the network's electrical signals. It helps you
identify problems, locate faults, and ensure that the CAN Bus
communication adheres to the required standards.

Our CAN Bus and Network Diagnostics training course shows you
how to perform diagnostics with the oscilloscope with examples of
good and bad networks and waveform downloads.

Find out more and join Diagnostic Coach here.

Mechanic Mindset Online Oscilloscope Training

Tip 5: Find and Isolate CAN Bus Faults

Diagnosing for a network issue is a process of elimination. Start by

revisiting any available evidence, such as previous repair history,
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accident damage, or other work on theProducts
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provide valuable clues for where to begin the diagnosis. If no specific
leads are available, you may have to methodically test the network
from one end of the car to the other, prioritizing the easiest access
points.

The first step in the diagnostic process is to individually disconnect

modules from the CAN bus network. This straightforward procedure
can help identify if a specific module is responsible for the issue. It's a
relatively simple test, though some modules might be challenging to
access. If the problem persists even after disconnecting modules, it
indicates a problem with the wiring. The next step involves locating
connectors in the wiring loom, ideally a midpoint in the network, and
disconnecting them to determine if the fault lies on one side of the car
or the other. In cases where there aren’t any connectors, you might
need to trace, cut, and repair wires. Some vehicles use splice points
and non-standard joints that can be challenging to locate, so having
the workshop data and wiring diagrams available is very important.

It’s important to cover the basics; a ‘complex’ issue causing various

problems with wipers, speed indicators, and warning lights could be
caused by a simple blown 5-amp ABS fuse. Hence, in CAN bus
diagnostics, starting with the basics and systematically eliminating
common issues is an essential approach to problem-solving.

The Diagnostic Coach subscription includes the FIXDIT Diagnostic

Process training course that details a logical approach to all diagnostic
work to find the faults fast and eliminate repeat repairs.

Find out more and join Diagnostic Coach here.

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Mechanic Mindset FIXDIT Diagnosis Process course will help you

diagnose CAN Bus faults faster

Sometimes the most complex issues have surprisingly simple solutions.

Always start by checking the basics, like fuses and connectors, as
these can often be the source of CAN Bus problems. And don't forget
to document your findings, as this can help you track down and resolve
issues more efficiently.

By following these five tips and staying persistent in your diagnostic

efforts, you can become proficient in CAN Bus diagnostics. It's a
journey of continuous learning, and with practice, you'll master this
complex network and its quirks. Happy diagnosing!

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