MP3Car.com - View Single Post - OBD-II for a newbie

BiG K · 09-27-2007, 03:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by joeyoravec

Vehicles have special networks (CAN, K-Line, J1850, etc.) which aren't the same as serial, usb, ethernet, or anything on standard laptop. At a minimum there will be some electronics to convert the voltage, but usually quite a bit more. They might be in an adapter-box, they might even be hidden in the shell of the connector, but the electronics definitely need to be somewhere.

Companies use 9-pin connectors because they're cheap -- it doesn't necessarily mean that you should plug the cable directly into a serial port. The best idea is to telephone the company that sold you the cable.

Yup I second that! The cable may actually short circuit the serial port on your laptop and cause it to fuxxor up! So don't plug it in, as it most likely does need a scanner! What I think you bought was the cable that goes from car to Elmscan5 scanner.

09-27-2007, 03:25 AM	#5
BiG K Constant Bitrate Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 156 My Photos: ()	Quote: Originally Posted by joeyoravec Vehicles have special networks (CAN, K-Line, J1850, etc.) which aren't the same as serial, usb, ethernet, or anything on standard laptop. At a minimum there will be some electronics to convert the voltage, but usually quite a bit more. They might be in an adapter-box, they might even be hidden in the shell of the connector, but the electronics definitely need to be somewhere. Companies use 9-pin connectors because they're cheap -- it doesn't necessarily mean that you should plug the cable directly into a serial port. The best idea is to telephone the company that sold you the cable. Yup I second that! The cable may actually short circuit the serial port on your laptop and cause it to fuxxor up! So don't plug it in, as it most likely does need a scanner! What I think you bought was the cable that goes from car to Elmscan5 scanner.