The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has mandated the use of certified On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test devices for vehicle emissions testing as part of the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance (HD I/M) Regulation, also known as the Clean Truck Check program, starting in 2024. For those involved in vehicle maintenance or fleet management, particularly concerning heavy-duty vehicles in California, understanding how to Test Obd2 Port functionality with approved equipment is crucial for compliance. This article breaks down the essentials of CARB-certified OBD test devices and their role in maintaining environmental standards.
Navigating OBD Port Testing for California’s Clean Truck Check
The Clean Truck Check regulation requires periodic emissions testing for heavy-duty vehicles. To ensure accuracy and reliability in these tests, CARB has certified specific OBD test devices. These certified devices are the only tools authorized for performing compliance tests on vehicles falling under the Clean Truck Check program. Using a certified device is not just about adhering to regulations; it’s about ensuring the integrity of emissions testing through standardized and approved equipment.
For those needing to test OBD2 port connections as part of this process, it’s important to note that the approved devices listed by CARB often support multiple diagnostic ports and protocols. This is because heavy-duty vehicles utilize different communication standards. Notably, the SAE J1939 and SAE J1979 protocols are most common. Generally, engines from manufacturers like Cummins, Detroit Diesel, Navistar, and Paccar often use the 9-pin SAE J1939 connector. In contrast, vehicles with Ford, Hino, Isuzu, and Volvo engines typically use the SAE J1979 protocol, which is also known as OBD II and utilizes a 16-pin connector.
It’s also important to be aware of specific guidance, such as that provided by CARB for Volvo and Mack trucks using the SAE J1979-2 (OBDonUDS) Protocol. This specific guidance ensures that even with standardized protocols, nuances in implementation are correctly addressed during testing.
CARB-Certified OBD Test Device Options
CARB categorizes certified devices into two main types: Non-Continuously Connected (NCC) and Continuously Connected (CC) devices.
Non-Continuously Connected (NCC) Devices
NCC devices are typically scan tool-type devices. Their design allows them to be used across multiple vehicles for periodic testing events. These are ideal for workshops or inspection stations that need to test OBD2 port functionality on a range of vehicles without constant monitoring.
Here is a list of CARB-certified Non-Continuously Connected devices:
| EO # | Vendor / Contact Information | Non-Continuously Connected (NCC) Devices* | OBD Protocol / Port / Connector** |
|---|---|---|---|
| IM-001-0001-3 | RA CONSULTING GmbH RA Automotive Software Solutions, Inc. 1850 Research Drive, Suite 208 Troy, MI 48083 (586) 782 5121[email protected] | Silver Snap-Tool with Drewtech DrewLinQ | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-001-0002-3 | RA CONSULTING GmbH (see contact information above) | Silver Snap-Tool with DG Technologies DPA XL | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-001-0003-3 | RA CONSULTING GmbH (see contact information above) | Silver Snap-Tool with Kvaser Leaf Light HS v2 | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-001-0004-3 | RA CONSULTING GmbH (see contact information above) | Silver Snap-Tool with Kvaser U100 | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-001-0005-3 | RA CONSULTING GmbH (see contact information above) | Silver Snap-Tool with Nexiq USB-Link 2 | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-001-0006-3 | RA CONSULTING GmbH (see contact information above) | Silver Snap-Tool with Nexiq USB-Link 3 | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-001-0007-2 | RA CONSULTING GmbH (see contact information above) | Silver Snap-Tool with Kvaser Leaf v3 | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-002-0001-5 | HEM Data Corporation HEM Data Corporation 17320 12 Mile Road Southfield, MI 48076 (248) 559-5607[email protected] | DAWN OBD Inspector for iOS with CAN Mini Streamer (Wireless) | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-003-0001-5 | Noregon Systems LLC Noregon Systems LLC 7823 National Service Road Greensboro, NC 27409 (855) 906-3491 (option 3)[email protected] | Truck Check Up with DLA+ 3.0 (USB) | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-003-0002-5 | Noregon Systems LLC(see contact information above) | Truck Check Up with DLA+ 3.0 (Wireless) | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-005-0001-3 | DG Technologies DG Technologies 33604 West Eight Mile RoadFarmington Hills, MI 48335(248) 888-2000[email protected] | DPA INSPECT with DPA Classic | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-005-0002-3 | DG Technologies (see contact information above) | DPA INSPECT with DPA XL | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-005-0003-3 | DG Technologies (see contact information above) | DPA INSPECT with DPA 5 Pro | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-008-0001-3 | Opus Inspection, Inc. Opus Inspection, Inc.3225 Gateway Road Suite 450Brookfield, WI 53045(855) 766-4323[email protected] | Opus Clean Truck with Opus CleanTruck OBD Device Kit | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
NCC means non-continuously connected; these scan tool-type devices can be used for testing events on multiple vehicles.
Continuously Connected (CC) Devices
CC devices, in contrast, are telematics devices. They are designed for continuous connection and are typically assigned to a single vehicle for ongoing testing and monitoring. These are beneficial for fleet operators who need constant oversight and compliance data, and still require a reliable way to test OBD2 port data regularly.
Here are the CARB-certified Continuously Connected devices:
| EO # | Vendor / Contact Information | Continuously Connected (CC) Devices* | OBD Protocol / Port / Connector** |
|---|---|---|---|
| IM-004-0001-1 | Geotab Inc. Geotab Inc. 2440 Winston Park Dr.Ontario, Canada L6H 7V2+1 (877) 436-8221[email protected] | GO9, GO9B, GO9+ family of devices. | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-006-0001-3 | Pacific Track, LLC Pacific Track Dan Rothman, VP Sales and Marketing(949) 432-9562[email protected] | PT40 | This device supports both 9-pin SAE J1939 and 16-pin SAE J1979 diagnostic ports. |
| IM-007-0001-1 | Zonar Systems Zonar Systems 821 2nd Avenue, Suite 1100 Seattle, WA 98104 (888) 778-6868 (#2)[email protected] | V4, V4 Base, V4 Essential, V4E-NBT, VT4 FSA, VT4, VT4 Base FSA, VT4 Base, VT4 Essential, VT4 Essential FSA, VT4E-NBT, VT4E-NBT FSA, V4 Base 2, VT4 Base 2-FSA, VT4 Base 2 | This device supports the 9-pin SAE J1939 diagnostic port. |
| IM-009-0001 | Samsara Inc. Samsara Inc. 1 De Haro St.San Francisco, CA 94103(415) 985-2400[email protected] | VG-55; VG54-NA; VG54-NAH; VG34 | This device supports the 9-pin SAE J1939 diagnostic port. |
CC means continuously connected; these are telematics devices that are assigned to one vehicle for on-going testing events.
** The most common protocols for Heavy-Duty/Medium-Duty vehicles are SAE J1939 and J1979. In general, vehicles with Cummins/Detroit Diesel/Navistar/Paccar engines are using the SAE J1939 connector, and vehicles with Ford/Hino/Isuzu/Volvo engines are using the SAE J1979 (or OBD II) connector.
Choosing the Right Device for OBD2 Port Testing
Selecting the appropriate CARB-certified device depends on your specific needs. If you require a device to test OBD2 port compliance across various vehicles periodically, an NCC device is suitable. For continuous monitoring and fleet management, especially for maintaining ongoing compliance with emissions standards, CC devices offer a more integrated solution.
It’s crucial to verify the specific OBD protocol and port compatibility of any device with your vehicle fleet. Most listed devices support both 9-pin and 16-pin ports, accommodating a wide range of heavy-duty vehicles. However, always confirm the specifications with the device vendor to ensure seamless integration and accurate test OBD2 port readings.
To purchase these CARB-certified OBD test devices, it is recommended to contact the device vendors directly. The list provided by CARB is regularly updated, so checking for the most current information is advisable to ensure you are using the latest certified equipment for Clean Truck Check compliance.
