For automotive technicians working with commercial vehicles, the diagnostic landscape has evolved. Starting around 2016, a noticeable change appeared in truck dashboards: the diagnostic port, previously black, turned green. This shift to the green 9-pin connector, often referred to as a Type II or CAN500 connector, sparked numerous questions from professionals accustomed to the older black connectors. Technicians immediately wondered if their existing tools and cables would still be compatible. Understanding this transition and how it relates to technologies like 9 Pin J1939 Connector To Obd2 Cable connections is crucial for modern diagnostics.
Image: Black 9-pin connector, commonly found in pre-2016 commercial vehicles, highlighting its robust pin structure for J1939 diagnostics.
To grasp the significance of this change, we need to delve into the reasons behind it. The automotive industry has been in constant evolution, especially concerning electronic systems in commercial trucks. As detailed in resources explaining SAE J1939 and J1708 standards, vehicle electronics have become increasingly sophisticated. Modern trucks now incorporate a significantly higher number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) compared to vehicles from a decade prior. Where older trucks might have had just a few ECUs, contemporary models can have upwards of 20. This surge in electronic components and data traffic necessitated an upgrade in communication speed.
The older black 9-pin connectors and associated systems were designed for a J1939 communication speed of 250 kilobits per second (kbs). However, with the exponential increase in data being transmitted across vehicle networks, this speed became a bottleneck. The green 9-pin connector was introduced to facilitate a doubled communication speed of 500 kbs.
The primary motivation for this transition wasn’t just about speed; it was also about safeguarding diagnostic equipment. Many older diagnostic tools and adapters were not designed to operate at 500 kbs. There was a genuine concern that connecting these older tools to the newer, faster networks could potentially damage the tool, the vehicle’s electronic systems, or both. The solution was to create a new connector – the green 9-pin – that was physically incompatible with older black cables, while ensuring that new “green” cables would be backward compatible with both green and black ports. This subtle physical change in connector design was a proactive measure to prevent accidental damage and ensure proper tool usage.
Exploring Controller Area Network (CAN) Channels
The evolution didn’t stop at just faster communication speeds. Around 2017, commercial vehicles began incorporating multiple CAN channels. Imagine a CAN channel as a dedicated communication lane within the vehicle’s network, operating at the high-speed 500 kbs. Despite the increased speed, the sheer volume of data from numerous sensors and ECUs was still substantial. To manage this escalating network traffic effectively, manufacturers implemented multiple CAN channels.
Initially, this often meant dedicating one CAN channel, typically CAN1, for powertrain-related components. A separate CAN channel managed everything else, including body controllers, infotainment systems, and other auxiliary electronics. However, in 2016, some manufacturers like Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Volvo, introduced a change by routing powertrain data to CAN3. This shift presented a challenge for technicians. Standard diagnostic tools with green connectors, designed as backward compatible upgrades, were no longer sufficient for accessing powertrain data on these specific vehicles. To address this, a specialized CAN3 to CAN1 crossover cable became necessary. This cable reroutes the CAN3 powertrain data to CAN1, making it accessible to standard diagnostic tools.
Type I and Type II Connectors: A Closer Look at the Differences
The change in diagnostic ports on commercial trucks necessitated a corresponding redesign of diagnostic cables. A key physical difference between the older black (Type I) and newer green (Type II) connectors lies in the diameter of the center pin at the top of the 9-pin configuration.
Image: A comparative view of Green (Type II) and Black (Type I) 9-pin connectors, clearly illustrating the difference in the top center pin diameter designed for speed compatibility and connector type differentiation.
In pre-2016 trucks, the black connector (Type I) featured a larger diameter for this center pin. The green connector (Type II), introduced in 2016 and onwards, utilizes a thinner diameter pin. This seemingly small modification is crucial: it physically prevents a black (Type I) cable from being plugged into a green (Type II) diagnostic port. This mechanical incompatibility is a deliberate safety feature, ensuring that older, potentially incompatible tools are not connected to the newer, high-speed networks. However, green (Type II) cables are designed to be compatible with both green and black ports, offering backward compatibility and future-proofing your diagnostic connections.
CAN Speeds and Network Evolution: An Analogy
To simplify the concept of CAN speeds and the need for connector evolution, consider the analogy of a modern highway system. Think of the vehicle network as the entire road system, and the ECUs as cities connected by these roads. Initially, the road system (vehicle network) works efficiently with moderate traffic (data flow). However, as cities grow (more ECUs and sensors are added), traffic increases, and congestion becomes a problem. The initial solution is to increase the speed limit (network speed from 250 kbs to 500 kbs). This alleviates the problem for a while, but as cities continue to expand (more data traffic), even higher speeds become insufficient. Increasing the speed limit further (network speed) might become unsafe or technically challenging.
The next logical step is to add more lanes to the highway system (introducing multiple CAN channels). This creates more pathways for traffic flow, reducing congestion. However, not all older vehicles are equipped to handle the new, high-speed highway system or the increased speed limits. Similarly, older diagnostic tools with black connectors are not designed for the 500 kbs CAN speed or multiple CAN channel architectures. Therefore, just as residents need to upgrade to newer vehicles to utilize the improved highway system, technicians need to consider upgrading their diagnostic tools and cables to effectively work with the newer green connector systems. This might involve investing in new green cables or adapter solutions to ensure compatibility and optimal diagnostic performance on modern commercial vehicles and potentially consider options like a 9 pin j1939 connector to obd2 cable if their tools utilize OBD2 connections.
Upgrade Paths for Technicians and Shops
For technicians, workshops, and fleet maintenance operations equipped with older diagnostic scan tools and black cables, the emergence of green connectors raises an important question: Do you need to replace your entire diagnostic setup? The answer depends on the capabilities of your existing diagnostic tool. If your datalink adapter is compatible with CAN 500 kbs network speeds, the solution can be as simple as acquiring a “black to green” converter or a dedicated green cable. Several manufacturers offer solutions to bridge this gap.
Universal Black to Green Converters:
Companies like Grandview Engineering have developed universal adapters that allow you to use your existing black-ended cables with the new green connectors found in 2016 and newer vehicles. Before opting for this solution, it is crucial to verify that your diagnostic tool is indeed capable of operating on CAN500 vehicle networks. Tools validated to work with such adapters include:
- Cummins Inline 5
- Cummins Inline 6
- Nexiq USB Link
- DG DPA5
- Noregon DLA 2.0+
- Grandview Vehicle Network Bridge
Specific Green Cables for Existing Adapters:
Many adapter manufacturers offer direct green cable upgrades for their popular tools:
- Nexiq USB Link Green Cable: Diesel Laptops manufactures a “Y” cable upgrade for the Nexiq USB Link, featuring a green 9-pin connector and a black 6-pin connector, providing a seamless transition to the new standard.
- Noregon DLA+ 2.0 Adapter Cable: Noregon offers a cable upgrade for the DLA+ 2.0 adapter, enabling connectivity to 2016 and newer trucks with green connectors.
- DG Tech DPA5 Adapter Cable: Diesel Laptops manufactures a cable for the DG DPA5 that includes the green 9-pin connector and a standard OBDII cable, offering versatile connectivity. This option directly addresses the need for a 9 pin j1939 connector to OBD2 cable solution for DPA5 users.
- Bosch KTI Adapter Cable: Bosch released a green cable for their KTI adapter used with Bosch ESI truck software, albeit with a delay, now providing compatibility with green connector systems.
- TEXA TXTs Adapter Cables: TEXA transitioned to green connectors and a two-piece cable configuration. Upgrading older TEXA TXTs systems might require purchasing a new two-piece cable set to ensure compatibility.
Addressing Multiple CAN Channels: CAN3 to CAN1 Crossover Cables
After addressing the physical connector compatibility, the next challenge is managing multiple CAN channels, particularly the CAN3 issue for powertrain diagnostics on certain trucks. While some advanced diagnostic tools, like TEXA Truck, handle multiple CAN channels via software, most tools require a hardware solution: the CAN3 to CAN1 crossover cable. These cables reroute CAN3 powertrain data to CAN1, making it accessible to standard diagnostic tools. Several reputable manufacturers offer CAN3 to CAN1 crossover cables:
- NEXIQ CAN3 To CAN1 Crossover Cable: Nexiq offers a high-quality, approximately 12-inch cable that converts a black 9-pin connection to a green 9-pin connection while performing the CAN channel crossover.
- DREW TECH CAN3 To CAN1 Crossover Cable: Drew Tech provides a universal crossover cable compatible with all adapters, known for its high quality and reliable performance.
- Grandview CAN3 To CAN1 Adapter: Grandview offers a plug-style adapter that performs the CAN3 to CAN1 channel conversion, providing a compact and universal solution.
In Summary: Navigating the Green Connector Transition
The introduction of the green 9-pin connector in 2016 and newer commercial vehicles marks a significant step in diagnostic technology. While it might initially seem like an inconvenience, this change is driven by the need for increased communication speeds (CAN500) and the management of growing data traffic in modern truck networks. For technicians equipped with older diagnostic tools and black cables, upgrading doesn’t necessarily mean replacing entire systems. Often, a simple cable or adapter upgrade, potentially including a 9 pin j1939 connector to obd2 cable for certain tool types, along with a CAN3 to CAN1 crossover cable for specific truck models, will suffice. By understanding these changes and available upgrade options, technicians can ensure they are equipped to diagnose and service the latest generation of commercial vehicles effectively and efficiently.
For those seeking in-depth knowledge and practical skills in troubleshooting datalink systems, consider exploring specialized training courses like the Datalink “J1939/J1708” Troubleshooting for Technicians course. This type of training can provide valuable hands-on experience and expertise in navigating the complexities of modern commercial vehicle diagnostics.
