For track day aficionados and performance enthusiasts, accessing comprehensive vehicle data is crucial for optimizing driving and understanding vehicle behavior. AEM Performance Electronics offers a streamlined solution with their OBDII CAN Plug & Play Adapter Harness, designed to seamlessly integrate with CD-5 Carbon and CD-7 Digital Dashes. This innovative product transforms these CD Dashes into powerful racing displays, providing access to vital engine and vehicle data directly from your vehicle’s OBDII port, even when using the factory ECU.
The AEM OBDII CAN adapter truly shines when paired with the Vehicle Dynamics Module (VDM). This combination unlocks advanced features like GPS-based track mapping, precise lap timing, and critical vehicle dynamics data. Imagine overlaying G-loads, roll, pitch, and yaw data onto your track sessions, providing unparalleled insight into your driving performance and vehicle dynamics. Even for CD Dash users already leveraging CAN OBD-II for data logging or other CAN devices, this adapter allows for effortless addition of extra channels via the OBD connection, eliminating the need for complex and time-consuming wiring.
Once the OBD-II CAN Sub Harness is connected, the CD Dash intelligently polls the vehicle’s CAN bus. This process automatically identifies available data channels and their transmission speeds. Users gain the flexibility to hand-pick the channels they want displayed, configure custom alarms for critical parameters, and even log data if using a CD logging dash model.
While the data transmission rate for available channels is dictated by the vehicle manufacturer and cannot be directly controlled by the CD Dash, AEM’s system allows users to prioritize specific channels. This prioritization ensures optimal transfer speed for the most critical data, maximizing the responsiveness and value of the displayed information.
Key Features of the Aem Obd2 Dash Integration:
- Plug & Play OBDII Connection: Effortlessly connects CD-5 Carbon and CD-7 Dashes to the OBDII port in 2008 and newer vehicles, simplifying the addition of CAN channels.
- Selectable and Prioritized Channels: Users can choose and prioritize available channels, optimizing data transfer speed for the most important parameters.
- Ideal for Track Day Use: Perfectly complements track day activities by providing OBDII CAN channels and seamless integration with the AEM VDM for advanced track mapping, lap timing, and comprehensive vehicle dynamics data.
This OBDII CAN adapter is designed for broad compatibility. Since 2008, all automotive manufacturers have been mandated to implement the ISO 15765 CAN bus protocol for OBDII. Therefore, this product is natively compatible with all vehicles from 2008 onwards. Interestingly, some vehicles manufactured prior to 2008 also utilized this protocol. With a bit of investigation and a quick inspection of your vehicle’s OBDII port, you might find that your pre-2008 vehicle is also compatible.
Verifying OBDII CAN Compatibility on Pre-2008 Vehicles
If you’re considering using the AEM OBDII CAN adapter on a pre-2008 vehicle and are unsure about compatibility, a straightforward method exists to check for OBDII CAN support. Examine Pins 6 and Pin 14 on your vehicle’s OBDII port. Compatibility is likely if these pins are populated with terminals.
According to the OBDII standard, Pins 6 and 14 are specifically designated for OBDII CAN Hi and Lo signals. The presence of terminals in these pin locations strongly suggests OBDII CAN compatibility, as these pins are essential for interfacing with a standard OBDII scanner.
In contrast, some vehicles, particularly certain 2000-2007 European models, employ manufacturer-specific CAN systems that are not OBDII CAN compliant. These vehicles often utilize “Vendor Option” pins for communication with proprietary diagnostic equipment, leaving Pins 6 and 14 unpopulated. Checking these pins can help determine if your older vehicle is equipped to take advantage of the AEM OBD2 Dash capabilities.
