Diesel Decoder

User Manual

Document Revision: 09/10/2020

Diesel Laptops, LLC.

7440 Broad River Road
Irmo, SC 29063
Phone: (888) 983-1975
www.DieselLaptops.com

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 1
1. Table of Contents
1. Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Overview and Functionality ..................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1. For the Driver and Small Fleet .......................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. For the Technician............................................................................................................................................ 5
2.3. High-level Features .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.3.1. J1939 and J1708/J1587 DTCs ................................................................................................................. 5
2.3.2. Parameters .............................................................................................................................................. 5
2.3.3. Component Information ............................................................................................................................ 5
2.3.4. Reporting ................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.3.5. Historic Vehicle Data ................................................................................................................................ 6
3. Installing and Running the Application..................................................................................................................... 7
4. Licensing the Application ........................................................................................................................................ 8
5. Main Screen ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
6. MVDA Selection Screen ........................................................................................................................................10
7. Protecting Access to the MVDA .............................................................................................................................11
7.1. Setting the MVDA password ........................................................................................................................... 11
7.2. Using the MVDA password ............................................................................................................................. 12
7.3. Resetting the Password (Factory Reset) ......................................................................................................... 12
8. MVDA Firmware Updates ......................................................................................................................................13
9. DTCs and Fault Codes Screen ..............................................................................................................................14
9.1. DTC Vehicle Health-at-a-Glance Sections ...................................................................................................... 14
9.1.1. J1939 DTC Counts................................................................................................................................. 14
9.1.2. Overall DTC Counts ............................................................................................................................... 15
9.2. DTCs Grid ...................................................................................................................................................... 15
9.3. J1939 DTCs ................................................................................................................................................... 15
9.4. J1939 J2012 DTCs......................................................................................................................................... 16
9.5. J1587/J1708 Fault Codes ............................................................................................................................... 16
9.6. Clear DTCs/Faults Button ............................................................................................................................... 16
9.6.1. Notes Pertaining to Clearing DTCs ......................................................................................................... 17
10. DTC Types Screen ................................................................................................................................................18
11. VIN Information Screen..........................................................................................................................................19
12. The Components Screen .......................................................................................................................................20
12.1. J1939 Component Information........................................................................................................................ 20
13. Parameters Screen ................................................................................................................................................22
13.1. J1939 Parameters Grid .................................................................................................................................. 22
13.2. J1587 Parameters Grid .................................................................................................................................. 22
14. Total Vehicle Data Screen .....................................................................................................................................23
14.1. J1939 Parameters Grid .................................................................................................................................. 23
14.2. J1587 Parameters Grid .................................................................................................................................. 23
15. Total Trip Data Screen...........................................................................................................................................24
15.1. J1939 Parameters Grid .................................................................................................................................. 24
15.2. J1587 Parameters Grid .................................................................................................................................. 24
15.3. Clear J1939 Trip Data Button ......................................................................................................................... 24
16. DEF/SCR Data Screen ..........................................................................................................................................25
16.1. J1939 Parameters Grid .................................................................................................................................. 25
16.2. J1587 Parameters Grid .................................................................................................................................. 25
17. Driver Productivity Screen .....................................................................................................................................26
18. Reporting Screen...................................................................................................................................................27
18.1. Main Screen ................................................................................................................................................... 27
18.2. Report Settings .............................................................................................................................................. 28
18.3. Generate Report............................................................................................................................................. 28
18.4. Manage Reports ............................................................................................................................................. 29
19. Settings Screen .....................................................................................................................................................30
19.1. Units .............................................................................................................................................................. 30
19.2. Report Settings .............................................................................................................................................. 30
19.3. CAN Channel / Protocol Settings .................................................................................................................... 30
19.4. User Manual ................................................................................................................................................... 31
19.5. Support .......................................................................................................................................................... 31
19.6. MVDA INFO Button ........................................................................................................................................ 31
20. MVDA Status Indicator LEDs .................................................................................................................................32
Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 2
21. Appendix A. Connectors, Pinouts, Protocols, Baud Rates, and Channels ..............................................................33
21.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 33
21.2. The 6-pin Deutsch Connector (Not Legislated)................................................................................................ 33
21.3. The 9-pin Deutsch Connector Type I (Not Legislated) ..................................................................................... 34
21.4. The 9-pin Deutsch Connector Type II (Legislated) .......................................................................................... 35
21.5. The J1962/OBDII Connector (Legislated) ....................................................................................................... 36
22. Appendix B. Considerations for Volvo/Mack 2013 and Newer Vehicles .................................................................37
23. Appendix C. DDM and CAT Equipment .................................................................................................................38
24. Appendix D. CAN Bus Troubleshooting - Overview ...............................................................................................39
24.1. Moisture Intrusion ........................................................................................................................................... 39
24.2. Mechanical Vibration ...................................................................................................................................... 39
24.3. Aftermarket ECM Installations (i.e. Telematics/ELD) - Termination Resistors .................................................. 39
24.4. A Properly Terminated CAN Data Bus ............................................................................................................ 40
24.5. An Improperly Terminated CAN Data Bus ....................................................................................................... 40
24.1. CAN Bus Troubleshooting – Troubleshooting Software for Windows ............................................................... 41
25. Appendix E. CAN Bus Troubleshooting – Physical Troubleshooting ......................................................................42
25.1. Step 1 - Proper Termination Resistance ......................................................................................................... 42
25.2. Step 2 - Shorts to Ground ............................................................................................................................... 42
25.3. Step 3 – Proper CAN Voltage ......................................................................................................................... 43
25.4. Step 4 - CAN Transceiver Testing .................................................................................................................. 43
26. Appendix E. Technical Support .............................................................................................................................44
26.1. Technical Support .......................................................................................................................................... 44

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 3
Copyright and License Information
The name "Diesel Laptops" is synonymous with "Diesel Laptops, LLC" and is used throughout this manual.
The “Diesel Laptops” logo is a registered trademark of Diesel Laptops, LLC.
The “Diesel Decoder” software is Copyrighted © 2020 by Diesel Laptops, LLC.
o The term “DDM” is synonymous with “Diesel Decoder” and is used throughout this manual.
Diesel Decoder software requires a valid license to operate.
o Any attempt to circumvent Diesel Decoder licensing voids the right to use the software.
The material herein is Copyrighted © 2020 by Diesel Laptops, LLC.
Users may copy any part of this manual provided the Copyright statement in the footer remains on all copies.

Warranty Statement for Products Labeled Free-Of-Charge

This program is provided “as is” and is free-of-charge for owners of Diesel Laptops products.
Diesel Laptops disclaims all warranties, expresses or implied, including warranty of merchantability or fitness for
any particular purpose. Diesel Laptops shall have no liability to anyone for consequential or incidental damages
for merchandise which is provided “as is”.
If you find defects or have requests for additional functionality, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Warranties for other Diesel Laptops products and services are set forth in the express written warranty statements
accompanying that product. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting any additional warranty.

Notices
The information contained herein is subject to change without prior notice. Diesel Laptops shall not be held liable
for technical, editorial errors, or omissions herein.
Diesel Laptops assumes no responsibility for any damage resulting from the use, misuse, or negligent use of the
Diesel Decoder software.

Safety Information

This product is designed to be used with the Diesel Laptops Miniature VDA (MVDA/Mini-VDA). The user is assumed to
have a good understanding of the potential hazards of working with vehicles and equipment in a shop environment.
There are numerous safety situations that cannot be enumerated or foreseen, so Diesel Laptops recommends that the
user read and follow all safety messages in this manual, on all shop equipment, from vehicle manuals, internal shop
documents, and operating procedures.
Always block/chock all wheels when testing.
Use caution when working around electricity due to the risk of shock from vehicle and building-level voltages.
Do not smoke or allow sparks/flame near any part of the vehicle fuel system or vehicle batteries.
Always work in a well-ventilated area. Route vehicle exhaust fumes to the outdoors.
Do not use this product where fuel, fuel vapors, or other combustibles could ignite.

Diesel Laptops, LLC.

7440 Broad River Road
Irmo, SC 29063
Phone: (888) 983-1975
www.DieselLaptops.com
[email protected]

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 4
2. Overview and Functionality
2.1. For the Driver and Small Fleet

Diesel Decoder (DDM) software is aimed primarily at heavy-duty truck drivers and small fleets as a productivity tool.
A truck driver can view live parameters such as “Instantaneous Fuel Economy”, “Average Trip Fuel Economy”, and
“Hard Braking Events” along with DTCs and fault codes. The driver will also be able to store historical vehicle
information in a Truck Data Report.
The software provides DTCs and faults so that the user can look up those DTCs and get repair information (wiring
diagrams, component locators, labor time guides, and specification values) through applications like
https://repair.diesellaptops.com and reference repair parts through https://parts.diesellaptops.com. The call can be
made about stopping now or later, and possibly having repair parts waiting for the vehicle. The driver can also notify
dispatch with the DTCs (or upload a Truck Data Report) to the fleet office and the dispatcher can set up an
appointment for the driver along their intended route.

2.2. For the Technician

There are many times a technician needs a fast diagnosis of the complete vehicle since many OEM applications only
focus on their specific ECM(s). DDM is a highly functional “triage” tool that provides the essential features needed in
a generic J1708/J1587 and J1939 diagnostics application. The application only requires a smart phone (or tablet), so
the technician does not need to break out a Windows-based laptop and an RP1210 vehicle diagnostic adapter.

DDM can be ran very quickly when connecting to a vehicle to get DTCs and parameters. If data suggests that
running an OEM application is needed, then the user can launch the OEM application for more detailed diagnostics
and testing of that ECM.

2.3. High-level Features

2.3.1. J1939 and J1708/J1587 DTCs

Displays J1939 and J1708/J1587 DTCs from all ECMs in text form.

o DDM displays all J1939 and J1708/J1587 DTC types (including emissions-related DTCs).
o DDM displays J2012 (OBDII) DTCs transmitted over J1939.
o DDM allows clearing of all J1939 DTCs, J1708/J1587 fault codes, and J1939 Emissions Monitors.

2.3.2. Parameters

DDM can display over 17,000 J1939 parameters (PGNs/SPNs) and over 300 J1587 parameters (PIDs) both
in English and Metric units. These parameters include numeric values (i.e. temps and pressures) as well as
displaying complex binary parameters (i.e. Off, On, Engaged, Disengaged).

o DDM displays Total Vehicle and Total Trip Information such as fuel used and total hours.
o DDM allows the resetting of J1939 Trip information to help track and measure vehicle trip performance.

2.3.3. Component Information

Display ECM component information such as VIN, Make, Model, Serial Number, and Unit Number.

2.3.4. Reporting

DDM allows the user to generate a Truck Data Report in HTML form that can be viewed and printed by any
web browser. The report can easily be emailed and shared with others.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 5
 2.3.5. Historic Vehicle Data

After DDM connects and reads vehicle data, DDM transmits the data to a Diesel Laptop server for storage.
This data can be accessed by the owner of the vehicle (or a delegated third party) and allows discovery of
maintenance patterns and trends over the vehicle’s lifetime.

o Diesel Laptops does not share this data with any third parties.
o Vehicle reports are available through email if the end-user can prove ownership of the vehicle.
▪ If a user can provide ownership of a vehicle, that person will be able to designate a third-party for
access to their vehicle data.
o In the future a web-based portal (requiring secure sign-in/authentication) will be available allowing the
user access to these reports.
▪ Until this web portal is complete, users can request access to these reports via email.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 6
3. Installing and Running the Application
When DDM runs on a mobile phone or tablet for the first time, it will request permission to access the filesystem. The
application uses this access to store the User’s Manual and vehicle reports such that the PDF and HTML viewers can
access the files. Click Allow to continue.

When the user attempts to connect to an MVDA for the first time, DDM will request permission to access the device’s
location. This is required by the operating system to allow access to the Bluetooth radio, which is used to communicate
with the MVDA. Click Allow to continue.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 7
4. Licensing the Application
Once the user has accepted/affirmed the End-User-License-Agreement (EULA), the first thing DDM does is to check for
the existence of a valid license. DDM is free-of-charge, however the application must be licensed. In the absence of a
license, the following dialog box will appear.

NOTE: You must be connected to the Internet to install a valid license.

The mandatory fields are the users First Name, Last Name, and Email Address. If you wish for Diesel Laptops to send
you periodic mailers or call you with important information, you can fill in the address and telephone number fields.

Once you have filled in the form, press the License Software button. If successful, then the following dialog box will
appear, and the License Information grid will be populated with license information.

After this dialog box appears, you will not be prompted to install a license again. Click OK to continue.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 8
5. Main Screen
The main screen will now appear. Each entry on the main screen will take the user to a specialized screen and these are
covered in their own section of this user manual.

To change program settings, please press the settings icon in the upper right corner of the screen. This will take you to
the Settings Screen.

To start a connection, press the CONNECT button. You will be prompted as to what device you would like to connect to.
See the next chapter, MVDA Selection Screen.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 9
6. MVDA Selection Screen
When the user presses the CONNECT button, it gives the user the option of connecting to the last used MVDA or
selecting another device from a list of devices that are available. The following is the dialog box that will appear.

Connect to Last Device will connect to the last MVDA device that was successfully connected to.
Select Device will bring up a list of MVDA devices that are awake (powered up) and within range.
o The following screen will appear.

In this image, there is only one “Diesel Laptops Mini-VDA” listed. In the event there were two or more
devices (such as in a shop environment with multiple trucks - below) you would look at the numbers
below the MVDA. These numbers represent the Bluetooth address of the device, and the last 12 digits
will match the device’s serial number as printed on the packaging. If the serial number is not available,
we recommend that you determine the correct device by turning off other devices in the area or moving to
a different location. After establishing the serial number of the correct device, it may be labeled with a
“favorite device” name as explained below.

NOTE: Since there could be multiple devices within range, we recommend that the end-user click on the
star icon to the left of your device to make it a “favorite device” and give a name to it.

Below is “Sam’s Truck” MVDA.

After you select the device, you will see the following dialog box if the connection is successful:

Press the OK button and you will be returned to the main screen, from where you can begin your diagnostics session.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 10
7. Protecting Access to the MVDA
Diesel Laptops has gone to great lengths to prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle data. The hardware, firmware,
and software all have safeguards built in to protect unauthorized access to your vehicle’s information.

7.1. Setting the MVDA password

The first time an MVDA is connected to, Diesel Laptops requires protecting access to that MVDA by prompting for a
password required to access that MVDA. The application cannot continue until a password has been set.

Like many Bluetooth devices, the MVDA ships without a password, and relies on the initial pairing process to establish
a secure connection between the MVDA and the mobile device. We recommend that the initial setup of a new MVDA
be performed in a secure environment, away from other potential users of the Diesel Decode software and other
MVDAs. This ensures completing the password setup without another user connecting to your MVDA.

It is highly recommended that the user provides a very strong and secure password.

The password must:

Be at least 8 characters in length.
Must include at least 1 lowercase and at least 1 uppercase letter.
Must include at least 1 number and 1 special character (~`!@#$%^&*()_+={}|\[],./?><).
Must contain no sequences of letters or numbers greater than three (i.e. 234, abc).

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 11
 7.2. Using the MVDA password
When the DDM application connects to an MVDA, it uses the password to unlock access to the vehicle data over that
connection. The user may choose to have the application “Remember Password” to avoid re-entering the password
on every connection. The password is stored securely in a private storage area on the mobile device.

7.3. Resetting the Password (Factory Reset)

If the password to an MVDA is lost, it may be reset by installing the MVDA in a vehicle and following these steps:

• Ensure the parking brake remains set for this entire procedure.
• Turn the key to accessory position.
• Perform the following actions, with no more than 10 seconds between the first and last accelerator pedal press.
o Accelerator pedal down, release.
o Brake pedal down, release (1st time).
o Brake pedal down, release (2nd time).
o Brake pedal down, release (3rd time).
o Brake pedal down, release (4th time).
o Brake pedal down, release (5th time).
o Accelerator pedal down, release.

When this sequence is observed on the data bus by the MVDA, it will reboot, and the LED will flash blue/red
alternating. This indicates that the MVDA has been reset to factory condition and is ready to accept a new password.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 12
8. MVDA Firmware Updates
Occasionally, Diesel Laptops may release updates for the firmware that runs inside the MVDA device. When an update is
available, DDM will prompt to begin the update. Press OK to update the firmware.

The update typically takes 6-10 minutes and will display a progress indicator while it is running.

When the update is complete, the device will reboot and DDM will attempt to reconnect. The new firmware version may
be verified on the MVDA INFO screen.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 13
9. DTCs and Fault Codes Screen
This screen displays J1939 DTCs (all J1939 DTC types), J1708/J1587 fault codes, and J2012 DTCs (OBDII DTCs
transmitted over the J1939 data bus). It also allows the end-user to request clearing of those DTCs.

9.1. DTC Vehicle Health-at-a-Glance Sections

There are two sections that provide a quick display of overall vehicle health. They are the J1939 DTC Counts section
and Individual DTC Counts section.

9.1.1. J1939 DTC Counts

This section (at the top) shows information from the J1939 “DTC Counts” (PGN 40448) message. This
information is typically from the ECM that is required to send “emissions-regulated” data.

Field Description
Perm Current number of Permanent DTCs that are Active.
Act MIL Current number of Emission-Related MIL-On DTCs.
MIL On Current number of Emission-Related Inactive MIL-On DTCs.
All Pnd Current total number of All Pending DTCs, including Emission-Related.
Pnd Current total number of Pending DTCs, including Emission-Related.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 14
 9.1.2. Overall DTC Counts

This section (at the bottom) shows overall DTC totals where a DTC is requesting a dashboard lamps to be
illuminated. These totals are different than the “J1939 DTC Counts” section above. This section provides a count
of all the DTCs (from all ECMs) that have requested one of the malfunction lights (i.e. MIL, RSL) be illuminated.

Field Description
MIL Number of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) MIL-On DTCs
RSL Number of Red Stop Lamp (RSL) RSL-On DTCs
AWL Number of Amber Warning Lamp (AWL) AWL-On DTCs
PL Number of Protect Lamp (PL) PL-On DTCs
TABS Indicates if the Trailer ABS (TABS) Fault Lamp is “On” (see note below).

The TABS (Trailer ABS) lamp will illuminate if the vehicle is gatewaying PLC4TRUCK information from the
trailer to the J1708/J1587 databus and the TABS fault message is being sent by the trailer ABS module.

9.2. DTCs Grid

The DTCs grid shows all the J1939 DTCs, J2012 DTCs, and J1587 fault codes. Due to the space limitations on a
mobile device, the initial screen only has a brief description (Code/FMI). For more information press the “>” button on
the right to be taken to the DTC / Fault Detail screen. The screen displayed will have more information:

A DM43 (DTC-A Previously Active) DTC with SPN=1010, FMI=12, Count=10

Lamps Turned On for DTC = MIL, RSL, AWL, PL

For more information about DTC types, press the Help (Question Mark) button in the upper right corner. This will
bring up the DTC Types Screen.

9.3. J1939 DTCs

The following are a description of the fields in the J1939 section and in the DTC/Fault Detail screen:

Field Field Description

Type + Icon The J1939 DTC Type (see DTC Types Screen).
SRC Description The description of the source address (i.e. Engine #1).
SPN The Suspect Parameter Number (SPN) of the DTC as defined by SAE.
FMI The Failure Mode Indicator (FMI) as defined by SAE.
Count The Occurrence Count of the DTC.
SPN/FMI Description The SPN/FMI converted to text as defined by SAE.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 15
 9.4. J1939 J2012 DTCs
These are J2012 (OBDII) DTCs (sometimes called “P” codes) that are transmitted over the J1939 data bus. Some
OEMs and component manufacturers transmit DTCs in J2012 format (i.e. Allison Transmissions).

The J2012 DTC is a letter followed by a 4-letter number (the “code”). The first digit indicates the source of the code:
P Powertrain
C Chassis
B Body
U Network

The following are a description of the fields in the J2012 section and in the DTC/Fault Detail screen:

Field Field Description

Type + Icon Active and Inactive are the two J2012 fault types.
SRC Description The description of the source address (i.e. Engine #1).
Code The OBDII (J1979) fault code defined in SAE J2012 (i.e. “P” code).
Code Description The fault code converted to text as defined by SAE J2012.
Count The Occurrence Count of the DTC.

9.5. J1587/J1708 Fault Codes

The following are a description of the fields in the section and in the DTC/Fault Detail screen:

Field Field Description

Type + Icon Active and Inactive are the only two J1587 fault types.
MID The MID (source address) of the DTC.
MID Description The description of the MID (i.e. Engine #1).
Type There are two sub-types of faults in J1587:
• PID – indicates trouble with a “parameter” (i.e. Engine Oil Pressure).
• SID – indicates trouble with a “component” (i.e. Oil Pressure Sensor).
Code The actual fault code (two detailed fault types – see “Type” above):
• PID/FMI
• SID/FMI
FMI The Failure Mode Indicator (FMI) as defined by SAE.
Count The Occurrence Count of the DTC.
Code/FMI Description The PID/FMI or SID/FMI converted to text as defined by SAE.

9.6. Clear DTCs/Faults Button

This button will request that “ALL” J1939 DTCs and J1587 Inactive Fault Codes be cleared from all ECMs. Note that
this may clear other information such as J1939 OBD Monitors (see Notes Pertaining to Clearing DTCs below).

The key should be on and the engine should not be running!

Clearing of DTCs and faults is a “request”. Not all ECMs will honor
that request. Some DTCs and faults may reappear.

This action sends out the J1939 DM3, DM11, and DM55 message to all active ECMs on the J1939 databus. It also
sends out J1587 PID 195. For more information on what each message clears, see Notes Pertaining to Clearing
DTCs below.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 16
 When the button is pressed, the following dialog box appears. Press the OK button to continue.

After the button is pressed, the following dialog box will appear that the request has been sent.

9.6.1. Notes Pertaining to Clearing DTCs

Message Notes from J1939/73

Used to clear all diagnostic information pertaining to Inactive DTCs.

Products not subject to OBD regulations may choose to support DM3. When supported, all diagnostic
information pertaining to Inactive DTCs should be erased. The diagnostic data associated with Active
DM3
DTCs will not be affected.

For products subject to OBD regulations, the DM3 service shall not be supported.

Clears all diagnostic information pertaining to Active DTCs. The following items are affected:
• Number of DTCs.
• DTCs for Pending, Active and Inactive malfunctions.
o Active DTCs.
o Inactive DTCs.
o Emission-Related Pending DTCs.
o Emission-Related Previously MIL-On DTCs.
o All Pending DTCs.
• Number of DTCs and readiness information.
o Number of Active DTCs in ECU.
o Number of Inactive DTCs in ECU.
o Readiness information.
DM11 o Number of MIL-On DTCs and Previously MIL-On DTCs.
• Trouble code for freeze frame data.
• Freeze frame data.
• Status of system monitoring tests.
• All monitor Test Results.
• Distance traveled while MIL is activated.
• Number of warm-ups since DTC cleared.
• Distance since DTCs cleared.
• Minutes run by the engine while MIL is activated.
• Time since DTCs cleared.
• Other OEM specific “clearing/resetting” actions may also occur.

Clears all diagnostic information pertaining to Active Service Only DTCs. Inactive DTCs should be
erased as well. The following items are affected:
• Number of DTCs.
• Trouble code for non-emission related freeze frame data.
DM55
• Non-emissions related freeze frame data.
• All non-emissions related monitor Test Results.
• Other OEM specific “clearing/resetting” actions may also occur.

J1587 PID 195 Request counts be cleared for all DTCs/fault codes on the J1708/J1587 network.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 17
10. DTC Types Screen
SAE or TMC have not defined icons for DTC types. Diesel Laptops created icons for each DTC type, however DDM also
displays the J1939 DM type underneath the icon as well as an acronym to help with the interpretation. Since the
technician may not be familiar with these icons or DM types, this screen was inserted. In J1587 and OBDII (J2012) there
are only Active and Inactive (A/I). The following is a list of the J1939 DTC Types along with acronym and description.

J1939 DM Type Acronym Description

DM1 A DM1 Active DTC
DM2 I DM2 Previously Active DTC
DM6 EP DM6 Emission-Related Pending DTC
DM12 EA DM12 Emission-Related MIL-On DTC
DM23 EI DM23 Emission-Related Previously MIL-On DTC
DM27 AP DM27 All Pending DTC
DM28 PT DM28 Emission-Related Permanent DTC
DM35 IFS DM35 Immediate Fault Status
DM41 A,P DM41 DTC-A, Pending
DM42 A,CA DM42 DTC-A, Confirmed and Active
DM43 A,PA DM43 DTC-A, Previously Active
DM44 B1,P DM44 DTC-B1, Pending
DM45 B1,CA DM45 DTC-B1, Confirmed and Active
DM46 B1,PA DM46 DTC-B1, Previously Active
DM47 B2,P DM47 DTC-B2, Pending
DM48 B2,CA DM48 DTC-B2, Confirmed and Active
DM49 B2,PA DM49 DTC-B2, Previously Active
DM50 C,P DM50 DTC-C, Pending
DM51 C,CA DM51 DTC-C, Confirmed and Active
DM52 C,PA DM52 DTC-C, Previously Active
DM53 A,SO DM53 Active Service Only DTC
DM54 I,SO DM54 Previously Active Service Only DTC

The following dialog box will be displayed, noting:

J1939 has 22 different types of DTCs that are displayed.
o Many of the J1939 DTC types (beyond Active/Inactive) are emissions-related, some legislated.
o Some are part of the World-Wide Harmonization (WWH) effort between SAE and the International
Standards Organization (ISO).

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 18
11. VIN Information Screen
The VIN Information screen displays information about the vehicle based on the VIN. There are three different sources
for decoding VIN information in a dropdown box (in order of priority):
Diesel Laptops VIN Server
o Diesel Laptops has a VIN server that breaks the VIN into user-friendly information.
NHTSA VIN Server
o The NHTSA VIN server displays the most information about the vehicle. However, it is not as user
friendly as the Diesel Laptops VIN Server.
Statically Decoded VIN Information
o This is the most basic information about a vehicle.
The user selects the source for VIN information from the combination box at the top of the screen.

Below are the images from the three VIN information sources for comparison.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 19
12. The Components Screen
The components screen displays information about the individual ECMs that are on the vehicle.

Note that it is common for some of the fields not to populate. Not all ECMs support component messages, however each
ECM that is transmitting on the databus will appear in the list.

This list can assist in CAN bus debugging by showing if an ECM is transmitting. Here are the steps to try this:
1. Turn off vehicle.
2. Gets the DDM software ready to connect.
3. Turn on the vehicle.
4. Connect with DDM software, writes down the ECMs on the databus.
5. The user waits about 1 minute.
6. The user disconnects and connects again to see if an ECM dropped off the databus (CAN BUS OFF condition).

12.1. J1939 Component Information

This grid shows information about the vehicle and ECMs on the J1939 and J1587 networks.

The following are a description of the fields in the J1939 portion of the grid:

Field Field Description

ECM The source address of the component.
ECM Description The description of the source address (i.e. Engine #1).
VIN Vehicle Identification Number.
Make The 5-digit TMC VMRS code for the manufacturer.
Model Model information for the ECM.
Serial # Serial Number for the ECM.
Unit # Unit Number for the ECM (rarely populated).
Software ID Software version information for the ECM.
ECM Part # The ECM part number for the ECM.
ECM Serial # Serial number for the ECM.
ECM Location Location of the ECM (rarely populated).
ECM Type J1939 Type of the ECM (rarely populated)

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 20
 The following are a description of the fields in the J1587 portion of the grid:

Field Field Description

MID The MID (source address) of the component.
MID Description The description of the MID (i.e. Engine #1).
VIN Vehicle Identification Number.
Make The 5-digit TMC VMRS code for the manufacturer.
Model Model information for the ECM.
Serial # Serial Number for the ECM.
Unit # Unit Number for the ECM (rarely populated).
Software ID Software version information for the ECM.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 21
13. Parameters Screen
The parameters screen can display over 17,000 J1939 PGN/SPN combinations as well as over 300 J1708/J1587 PIDs.
These parameters can be numeric values (temps, pressures), ASCII values such as Make/Model, and binary values such
as “Cruise Control is Not Engaged”.

13.1. J1939 Parameters Grid

In the J1939 grid, parameters are sorted first by SRC address, then PGN, then SPN. The data set becomes very
wide, so clicking on the column header will allow the end-user to hide columns. The following are a description of the
fields in the grid:
Field Field Description
SRC The source address of the ECM sending the parameter.
SRC Description The description of the source address (i.e. Engine #1).
PGN The J1939 Parameter Group Number (PGN). A PGN can hold many Suspect Parameter Numbers (SPNs).
PGN Description The description of the J1939 PGN.
SPN The Suspect Parameter Number (SPN). This is “the parameter” being displayed.
SPN Description The description of the SPN.
Metric Value The value in metric of the parameter.
Metric Units The units in metric of the parameter.
English Value The value in English of the parameter.
English Units The units in English of the parameter.
ASCII/Binary Value If a parameter is ASCII or binary in nature, this will be the decoded text of the parameter.

13.2. J1587 Parameters Grid

In the J1587 grid, parameters are sorted first by MID, then PID. The data set becomes very wide, so clicking on the
column header will allow the end-user to hide columns. The following are a description of the fields in the grid:

Field Field Description

MID The MID (source address) of the ECM sending the parameter.
MID Description The description of the MID (i.e. Engine #1).
PID The J1587 Parameter Identifier (PID).
PID Name The description of the J1587 PID.
Sub PID Sometimes a PID has multiple parameters in it (i.e. J1939 PGN with 10 SPNs - this is the equivalent).
Sub PID Description The description of the Sub PID.
Metric Value The value in metric of the parameter.
Metric Units The units in metric of the parameter.
English Value The value in English of the parameter.
English Units The units in English of the parameter.
ASCII/Binary Value If a parameter is ASCII or binary in nature, this will be the decoded text of the parameter.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 22
14. Total Vehicle Data Screen
The Total Vehicle Data screen is a subset of the Parameters Screen. It is focused only on J1939 PGN/SPNs and
J1587 PIDs tracking total vehicle data such as Odometer (sometimes referred to as “Vehicle Distance” or “High
Resolution Vehicle Distance”), Total Fuel Used, etc.

14.1. J1939 Parameters Grid

For information on the field definitions, see the section J1939 Parameters Grid.

14.2. J1587 Parameters Grid

For information on the field definitions, see the section J1587 Parameters Grid.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 23
15. Total Trip Data Screen
The Total Trip Data screen is a subset of the Parameters Screen. It is focused only on J1939 PGN/SPNs and J1587
PIDs tracking trip data such as Trip Odometer (sometimes referred to as “Vehicle Distance” or “High Resolution Vehicle
Distance”), Total Trip Fuel Used, Total Trip Fuel Economy, etc.

15.1. J1939 Parameters Grid

For information on the field definitions, see the section J1939 Parameters Grid.

15.2. J1587 Parameters Grid

For information on the field definitions, see the section J1587 Parameters Grid.

15.3. Clear J1939 Trip Data Button

Pressing the Clear J1939 Trip Data Button is for resetting J1939 “trip” parameters. Since this reset message is not
supported by all ECMs that are monitoring trip data, or the command may be denied (requiring special password
access or an OEM application), trip parameters may not be reset. Since some fleets do not allow all personnel to
reset trip parameters, so the following dialog will appear. If you have permission, pressing OK will request that the trip
parameters be reset.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 24
16. DEF/SCR Data Screen
The DEF/SCR Data screen is a subset of the Parameters Screen. It is focused only on J1939 PGN/SPNs and J1587
PIDs tracking DEF, SCR, and other emissions-limiting-systems related parameters.

16.1. J1939 Parameters Grid

For information on the field definitions, see the section J1939 Parameters Grid.

16.2. J1587 Parameters Grid

For information on the field definitions, see the section J1587 Parameters Grid.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 25
17. Driver Productivity Screen
Note: The driver should be aware of the dangers of distracted driving. Diesel Laptops, LLC shall not be held liable for
incidents occurring during the use of this program.

This screen is made exclusively for the driver. It monitors the following parameters that drivers like to see:
• Instantaneous Fuel Economy
• Trip Fuel Economy (Trip Drive Fuel Economy)
• Average Fuel Economy (Vehicle Average Fuel Economy)
• Hard Braking Events (Monitored by the MVDA)
o To reset hard braking events and the threshold for a hard brake event, press the “>” button. This will pull
up a dialog box confirmation that the user wants to reset the count of hard braking events.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 26
18. Reporting Screen
The reporting screen allows the user to save the information obtained during a vehicle scan in an HTML file for viewing,
printing, emailing, or for historic purposes. There are three sub-screens, each described below.

An Example Truck Data Report

18.1. Main Screen

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 27
 18.2. Report Settings
Report Settings takes the user to the report section of the Settings Screen. The user can set the default report title
and subtitle as well as turn on/off various sections of the report.

18.3. Generate Report

The user has the option to set the title and subtitle (for easier tracking) of the report. Some fleets like to see “Door
Number”, “Unit Number” or other information in these fields. The user is prompted for both before the report is
generated. The defaults for these can be set in the reporting part of the Settings Screen.

After the subtitle is entered, in about a minute a report will be generated, and then the following screen will appear.

The report is now on the hard drive. It can be accessed using the Manage Reports screen.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 28
 18.4. Manage Reports
By going to the Manage Reports sub-menu, you will see a list of all the reports. The example below just shows one.

The report file names are broken down in a way to easily see when they were created. See below:

DXP- Format is Diesel Laptops Diesel Explorer.

XXXXXXX- VIN
MM- Month
DD- Day
YYYY Year
HH- Hour (24-hour format) – UTC Time
MM- Minute (24-hour format) – UTC Time
SS- Second (24-hour format) – UTC Time
UTC Reports are based on universal time coordinates (UTC).
.html The reports are in HTML format for easy viewing in a web browser.

When the user taps on a filename, they will be presented with the following dialog box titled Report
Management. From here, the user can:
Delete the report if it is no longer needed.
View the report in their currently selected web browser.
Email the report to an email recipient using the default email client.
o Many printers now have email addresses, so this makes it easy to print reports.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 29
19. Settings Screen
The Settings screen allows the user to change various options within the program.

19.1. Units
Display Metric Units
o The program defaults to displaying English/Colonial units. Turn this on to display units in Metric.

19.2. Report Settings

Set the default report title and subtitle.

Individual Report Sections (i.e. J1939 DTCs, J1587 DTCs, J2012 DTCs, Freeze Frames, …)
o Turns on or off the inclusion of that section in the generated report.

19.3. CAN Channel / Protocol Settings

These settings allow the user to select which channel J1939 data is on if J1939 is not on CAN1. An example would
be a Volvo 2013 or newer with an OBDII-to-9-pin adapter.

NOTE: Changes to channel protocol settings will take effect only when a new connection is established. If the
application is connected to the MVDA when settings are changed, it must be disconnected and reconnected.

CAN1
o Options can be J1939 or Off
CAN2
o Options can be J1939 or Off
CAN3
o Options can be “J1708/J1939 Auto Detect” or Off. The MVDA automatically detects CAN3 as being
J1708/J1587 or CAN-based.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 30
 19.4. User Manual
Brings up the user manual for the program, this file.

19.5. Support

This button brings up the telephone number and website for support at DieselLaptops.com.

19.6. MVDA INFO Button

This button brings up a screen with information about the Mini-VDA unit. This screen is mainly for Diesel Laptops’
Technical Support department for debugging purposes (i.e. Hardware Version/Firmware Version/Serial Number).

There are a couple of areas of interest to the end-user. These are the “Channel 1-3 Connection” items. They
display if there was a CAN connection detected (and baud rate) and whether the CAN3 channel is CAN-based or
J1708/J1587 (both allowed protocols on the J1939-13 diagnostic connector CAN3 connection).

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 31
20. MVDA Status Indicator LEDs
The MVDA is equipped with a multi-color LED that is visible from the top, near the outside edge.

The following colors and patterns are used to indicate the status of the device:

LED Color/Pattern Description

Solid Red Device is powering up.
Blinking Red Running bus detection and CAN autobaud routine.
Alternating Blue/Red Device is not setup / has been reset to factory condition (ready to set password).
Solid Green Device is running, no mobile device is connected.
Slow Blinking Green Device is running, a mobile device is connected using Bluetooth.
Fast Blinking Orange Firmware update is in process.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 32
21. Appendix A. Connectors, Pinouts, Protocols, Baud Rates, and Channels
21.1. Introduction

In the 1970’s when automobiles added Electronic Control Modules (ECMs), their vehicle networks began with simple
protocols and a single channel for that protocol. When Controller Area Network (CAN) was introduced in the late
1980’s, most vehicles started with a single CAN channel (powertrain control). The CAN protocol has allowed OEMs
and component suppliers to add features and automation that were not possible with the older/slower protocols.

It is common for a vehicle to have 5 or more CAN channels/networks!

Some OEMs have brought 2 or 3 of the CAN channels/networks to the diagnostic connector.

Before we introduce the common connectors, it is good to know that the connectors, pinouts on those connectors, and
diagnostic protocols on on-highway vehicles are controlled by “emissions-related” legislation (Environmental
Protection Agency – EPA, and California Air Resources Board – CARB). These regulations allow ONLY the SAE
J1939/13 9-pin Deutsch connector (common on MD/HD vehicles) and the SAE J1962/OBDII connector (commonly
found on light-duty/medium-duty vehicles) noting:

Emissions regulations stipulate only where the pins for the 1st CAN channel (CAN1) will be,
and if the protocol on CAN1 will be J1939 (9-pin Deutsch) or ISO15765 (OBDII/J1962). These are the only
two legislated protocols and connectors since 2008 (OBDII) and 2016 (9-pin Deutsch).

SAE has defined 3 CAN channels on both emissions-regulated connectors. Some OEMs use the
non-regulated pins for other protocols and other CAN channels. Please refer to the service
literature for the vehicle you are diagnosing to determine what pins and protocols are
being used and which CAN channels are active.

21.2. The 6-pin Deutsch Connector (Not Legislated)

The 6-pin Deutsch connector is mostly associated with older HD vehicles and J1708 is the only protocol.

Connector
(Grey)

Pin # Function
A J1708 High
B J1708 Low
Pinouts C Battery Plus (+V), Fused at 10 Amp (unconditioned, unswitched)
D OEM Specific
E Battery Minus (Ground)
F OEM Specific

Non-CAN Protocols ❖ J1708

CAN Protocols ❖ None

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 33
 21.3. The 9-pin Deutsch Connector Type I (Not Legislated)
The 9-pin Deutsch Type I connector is associated with HD vehicles before the 2016 mandate of the J1939 Type II.

Connector
(Black, Grey)

Pin J1939 Standard FTL Cascadia PACCAR <=2009

A Ground Ground Ground
B Power Power Power
C CAN1, J1939+ CAN1, J1939+ CAN1, J1939+
D CAN1, J1939- CAN1, J1939- CAN1, J1939-
E CAN1, J1939 Shield CAN1, J1939 Shield CAN1, J1939 Shield
F J1708/J1587+ J1708/J1587+ J1708/J1587+
G J1708/J1587- J1708/J1587- J1708/J1587-
H OEM Specific CAN2+ Spare
J OEM Specific CAN2- ISO9141 K-Line

Pin PACCAR 2010+ NAVISTAR CNH

A Ground Ground Ground
B Power Power Power
C CAN1, J1939+ CAN1, J1939+ CAN1, J1939+
D CAN1, J1939- CAN1, J1939- CAN1, J1939-
E CAN1, J1939 Shield CAN1, J1939 Shield ISO9141 K-Line
F J1708/J1587+ J1708/J1587+ Spare
G J1708/J1587- J1708/J1587- Spare
H CAN2+ Spare CAN2+
J CAN2- ISO9141 K-Line CAN2-

Non-CAN Protocols ❖ J1708

CAN Protocols ❖ J1939, CAN, ISO15765

CAN Channels ❖ CAN1, CAN2

CAN Baud Rates ❖ 250, 500

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 34
 21.4. The 9-pin Deutsch Connector Type II (Legislated)
The 9-pin Deutsch Type II (lime green) connector was mandated in HD vehicles in 2016, however some OEMs like
Volvo decided to use the J1962/OBDII connector (covered later).

Connector
(Lime Green)

Pin J1939 Standard PACCAR 2016+ NAVISTAR

A Ground Ground Ground
B Power Power Power
C CAN1, J1939+ CAN1, J1939+ CAN1, J1939+
D CAN1, J1939- CAN1, J1939- CAN1, J1939-
E CAN1, J1939 Shield CAN1, J1939 Shield CAN1, J1939 Shield
F J1708/J1587+ or CAN3+ CAN3+ J1708/J1587+
G J1708/J1587- or CAN3- CAN3- J1708/J1587-
H OEM Specific CAN2+ CAN2+
J OEM Specific CAN2- CAN2-

Non-CAN Protocols ❖ J1708

CAN Protocols ❖ J1939, CAN, ISO15765

CAN Channels ❖ CAN1, CAN2, CAN3

CAN Baud Rates ❖ 250, 500

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 35
 21.5. The J1962/OBDII Connector (Legislated)
The SAE J1962 connector is commonly referred to as the “OBD 2” (OBDII) connector. It is found in automobiles,
some medium-duty vehicles, and in Volvo/Mack trucks (with Volvo/Mack engines) starting in 2013.

Note that the Volvo 2013+ (column 2) and GMC/Isuzu (column 3) connectors require specialized
VDA cabling to use their diagnostic software. See your VDA user manual.

Connector
(Black)

Pin J1962/OBDII Standard Volvo 2013+ (Volvo Engine) GMC Topkick/Kodiak, Isuzu F-Series
1
2 J1850VPW+ / J1850PWM + J1850 VPW+
3 CAN2+ CAN2/J1939+
4 Chassis Ground Ground
5 Signal Ground Ground Signal Ground
6 CAN1/ISO15765+ CAN1/ISO15765+ GMLAN+
7 ISO9141/ISO14230 K-Line J1708/J1587+
8
9
10 J1850VPW- / J1850PWM-
11 CAN2- CAN2/J1939-
12 CAN3+ J1708/J1587+
13 CAN3- J1708/J1587-
14 CAN1/ISO15765- CAN1/ISO15765- GMLAN-
15 ISO9141/ISO14230 K-Line J1708/J1587+
16 Power Power Power

Non-CAN Protocols ❖ J1708, J1850VPW, J1850PWM, ISO9141, ISO14230

CAN Protocols ❖ ISO15765, CAN, J1939

CAN Channels ❖ CAN1, CAN2, CAN3

CAN Baud Rates ❖ 250, 500

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 36
22. Appendix B. Considerations for Volvo/Mack 2013 and Newer Vehicles
This section is applicable to 2013 and newer Volvo/Mack chassis that have Volvo/Mack engines and an OBDII diagnostic
connector. This section does not apply to a Volvo/Mack chassis with a Cummins engine (9-pin Deutsch).

Starting in model year 2013, Volvo/Mack introduced a proprietary variant of the OBDII/J1962 diagnostic connector for a
Volvo/Mack chassis with a Volvo/Mack engine. It is different in several ways than the SAE standard J1962/OBDII
connector commonly seen in automobiles. It contains two separate CAN channels as well as J1708, noting:
CAN1 is using the ISO15765 protocol and OBDII legislated messaging. It is on CAN1 pins (6, 14).
CAN2 contains the J1939 protocol on J1962 CAN2 pins (3, 11).
The J1708/J1587 protocol is on what is defined in J1962 as the CAN3 pins (12, 13).
The complete pinouts of this connector are described in the J1962 connector section above.

To connect the MVDA to this connector you will need the following adapter. It can be ordered from Diesel Laptops.

https://www.diesellaptops.com/collections/adapters-and-cables/products/diesel-laptops-9-pin-to-obdii-for-mack-and-volvo-converter

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 37
23. Appendix C. DDM and CAT Equipment
This section deals with CAT equipment and whether the MVDA and DDM will work on that equipment.
DDM works on all CAT equipment that use the J1939 and/or J1708/J1587 (ATA) protocols.

DDM will not work on CAT engines and equipment using only the
proprietary CAT Data Link (CDL) protocol.

The top illustration below shows the SAE standard J1939 connector (Type I, Type II) in contrast to the CAT Proprietary
Connector below. If the vehicle or equipment with the CAT engine uses either one of these connectors, DDM will work.

Note the "A pin" of the standard connector has a key (arrow), whereas the CAT connector does not.
Note that the Ground/Power pins on the CAT connector are reversed compared to the SAE standard. Cutting the
"A” pin “key” off the standard J1939 cable will not allow it to work because the J1708/J1587/ATA protocol and the
J1939 protocol are on different pins as well as power and ground being reversed.

Pin J1939 Type I J1939 Type II

A Ground Ground
B Power Power
C CAN1/J1939 Hi CAN1/J1939 Hi
D CAN1/J1939 Lo CAN1/J1939 Lo
E CAN1/J1939 Shield CAN1/J1939 Shield
F J1708/J1587/ATA Hi J1708 or CAN3 Hi
G J1708/J1587/ATA Lo J1708 or CAN3 Lo
H OEM Specific OEM Specific or CAN2 Hi
J OEM Specific OEM Specific or CAN2 Lo J1939 Standard
Type I or Type II

Pin CAT Proprietary Connector

A Power
B Ground
C CAN1 Shield
D CAT Data Link (CDL) Hi
E CAT Data Link (CDL) Lo
F CAN1/J1939 Lo
G CAN1/J1939 Hi
H J1708/J1587/ATA Lo
J J1708/J1587/ATA Hi
CAT Proprietary Connector

If you have the CAT Proprietary Connector and A/B (Power/Ground) and D/E (CDL) are populated, DDM will not work.

If A/B (Power/Ground) pins and F/G (J1939) or H/J (J1708/J1587/ATA) are populated, you can use the MVDA with DDM
software, noting you will need a special adapter. Contact Diesel Laptops for this adapter.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 38
24. Appendix D. CAN Bus Troubleshooting - Overview
The CAN data bus has been around since the 1980's and is used in many devices from factory floor robots to on-highway
vehicles. DDM provides a good triage for CAN databus failures; however, there are times that the technician needs to
diagnose the physical CAN databus. This chapter discusses the most common causes of CAN bus failure.

24.1. Moisture Intrusion

It is common for heavy-duty vehicles to be driven over a million miles and to operate in different climates. These
vehicles not only experience water and mud, but they often encounter snow/ice/slush-covered roads mixed with
salt or potassium chloride (melting agents that are corrosive to metal). Water intrusion and "water wicking" is a big
issue and corrosion can occur when water wicks into a connector. Corrosion can create shorts and open circuits.

24.2. Mechanical Vibration

Moisture intrusion is probably the most common cause of data bus failures. However, since heavy-duty vehicles
are driven far longer than automobiles, other factors contribute to data bus failures, such as long-term vibration.
Manufacturers do their best to design robust wiring harnesses and place those harnesses, sensors, and ECMs in
locations where moisture does not intrude and vibration (wire chafing) is minimized.

A large OEM once noted a CAN bus failure where water wicked through a nick in a wiring harness, corroded
the wire, and extended vibration of the equipment caused the wire to break inside the insulation. It took them
many hours to diagnose the failure and it was only discovered when they brought out their Volt/Ohm meter
(VOM) and started checking for continuity and resistances.

24.3. Aftermarket ECM Installations (i.e. Telematics/ELD) - Termination Resistors

A properly terminated CAN network has two 120 Ohm termination resistors at the logical ends of the network (see
Figure 12.1 below). Somehow technicians installing aftermarket ECMs such as Telematics platforms and
Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) have gotten used to going behind the diagnostic connector (behind the
dashboard) and butt-splicing or Scotch-Locking into the power, ground, and J1939 data bus lines. Many installers
have inadvertently added an unnecessary terminating resistor (see Figure 12.2 below). If the vehicle started
throwing databus-related fault codes after a Telematics or ELD installation, then this may be the cause.

It is not a good practice to connect to the J1939 network behind the dashboard, especially with
connectors that depend on piercing the insulation of a wire to make electrical contact. Connectors that
pierce the insulation provide an area for moisture intrusion, wicking, and corrosion.

Note that most OEMs are providing an option for a TMC RP1226 “Vehicle Accessory Connector
(Telematics Connector)” wiring harness. This connector harness was developed by TMC and adopted
by OEMs to help combat the issues surrounding 3rd party Telematics and ELD installations.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 39
 24.4. A Properly Terminated CAN Data Bus
The following figure shows a properly configured and terminated CAN data bus.

Properly Constructed and Terminated J1939 Data Bus

ENGINE TRANSMISSION ABS

Termination Resistor ECM ECM ECM

Termination Resistor
120 Ohm

120 Ohm
VEHICLE CAN/J1939(Hi) = Yellow
DIAGNOSTIC OTHER ECMs
CONNECTOR
CAN/J1939(Lo) = Green

Figure 12.1 Properly Terminated CAN Data Bus

24.5. An Improperly Terminated CAN Data Bus

The following figure shows an improperly configured and terminated CAN data bus. This is most likely due to an
aftermarket Telematics or ELD installation.

Aftermarket ECM Improperly Installed

ENGINE TRANSMISSION ABS

ECM ECM ECM
Termination Resistor

Termination Resistor
120 Ohm

120 Ohm

VEHICLE CAN/J1939(Hi) = Yellow

DIAGNOSTIC
CONNECTOR
CAN/J1939(Lo) = Green
120 Ohm Term Resistor

Telematics or Other
Improperly Installed ECM

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 40
 24.1. CAN Bus Troubleshooting – Troubleshooting Software for Windows
There are several very good Windows-based troubleshooting applications that can help determine if communications
can be established with the vehicle and to figure out what CAN channels and protocols exist on that vehicle. This is
the first line of troubleshooting since it covers the simplest aspects of connection problem:
❖ The ignition switch is in the off position.
❖ Selecting the wrong CAN channel.
❖ Selecting the wrong protocol (i.e. J1708 on a CAN-only vehicle).

There are three recommended tools for quick, Windows-based troubleshooting:

Diesel Laptops – Diesel Laptops Validation Tool (DVT).

o This is a free application that is completely RP1210 and J2534 compliant and works for light-duty
through heavy-duty vehicles using any RP1210 or J2534 compliant VDA device. This can be
downloaded from the Diesel Laptops website www.diesellaptops.com.
o This tool has more features and is easier to use than the other free troubleshooting tools.

Dearborn Group – Adapter Validation Tool (AVT).

o This application is installed with any of the Dearborn Protocol Adapters (DPA).

o This is a free application that is completely RP1210 and J2534 compliant and works for light-duty
through heavy-duty vehicles using any RP1210 or J2534 compliant VDA device. This can be
downloaded from the Dearborn Group (DG Technologies) website www.dgtech.com.

Drew Technologies – VDA Validation Tool (VVT).

o This application is also installed along with the Diesel Laptops’ DieselLink VDA as well as the
Drew Technologies DrewLinQ adapter.

o This is a free application that is only RP1210 compliant and works only for medium/heavy-duty
vehicles using any RP1210 compliant VDA device. This can be downloaded from the Drew
Technologies website www.drewtech.com.

NEXIQ – Device Tester

o This application is not RP1210 compliant and is only for use with NEXIQ adapters. It is not
recommended for generic troubleshooting.

o The other applications allow the user to test other brands of VDAs in the event they think that the
VDA they have may be damaged or broken.

Each of these applications has a user manual that will help you through the first level of troubleshooting which is to
establish some level of communications with the vehicle. If the application you were using for this step indicates
further diagnosis of the vehicle (electrical troubleshooting) is needed, please follow the steps in the next chapter.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 41
25. Appendix E. CAN Bus Troubleshooting – Physical Troubleshooting
These next steps require the use of a Volt/Ohm meter (VOM).

The typical pinouts for the J1939 connectors and the OBDII connector are listed in a previous chapter of this user manual.
If you are connecting to a different connector, refer to the manufacturer's as-built drawing to locate the CAN channels.

25.1. Step 1 - Proper Termination Resistance

1. Remove the positive battery lead from the battery. This step cannot be omitted.
2. With the VOM set to read resistance (Ohms setting), place one lead on the CAN_Hi terminal and the other
lead on the CAN_Lo terminal.
3. Note the value and compare to the table below.

Value Issue Next Step, Resolution

54 - 66 Ohms No issue. Go to Step 2.

Install a terminating resistor at the logical

end of the network. See manufacturer
Possibly an open circuit.
> 120 Ohms literature for proper terminating resistor
Possibly missing a terminating resistor.
placement and other troubleshooting
documentation.

Locate and remove extra terminating

Possibly more than 2 terminating resistors. resistors. See manufacturer literature for
< 44 Ohms
Possibly wires shorted together in harness. proper terminating resistor placement and
other troubleshooting documentation.

25.2. Step 2 - Shorts to Ground

1. Remove the positive battery lead from the battery. This step cannot be omitted.
2. With the VOM set to read resistance (Ohms setting), place one lead on the CAN_Hi terminal and the other
lead on the Ground terminal. Note the value.
3. With the VOM set to read resistance (Ohms setting), place one lead on the CAN_Lo terminal and the other
lead on the Ground. Note the value.
4. Compare each value to the table below.

Value Issue Next Step, Resolution

> 10k Ohms No issue. Go to Step 3.

Repair or replace the wire or wiring

harness. See manufacturer literature for
< 10k Ohms Wire is shorted to ground.
proper terminating resistor placement and
other troubleshooting documentation.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 42
 25.3. Step 3 – Proper CAN Voltage
1. Replace the positive battery lead.
2. Power up the vehicle and place the ignition switch in the on/accessory position.
3. With the VOM set to read DC Voltage, place one lead on the CAN_Hi terminal and the other lead on the
Ground terminal. Note the value.
4. With the VOM set to read DC Voltage, place one lead on the CAN_Lo terminal and the other lead on the
Ground terminal. Note the value.
5. Compare each value to the table below.

Value Issue Next Step, Resolution

Try connecting to the vehicle through a

2 - 4 Volts No issue. VDA and software. If software does not
work, contact Diesel Laptops.

Possibly one or more faulty CAN Go to Step 4 or refer to manufacturer

< 2 Volts
transceivers. documentation.

Possibly one or more faulty CAN Go to Step 4 or refer to manufacturer

> 4 Volts
transceivers. documentation.

25.4. Step 4 - CAN Transceiver Testing

Electrical damage to one or both CAN transceiver circuits may increase the leakage current in the circuit. To
measure current leakage through CAN circuits you will be required to remove the ECMs from the vehicle and you
will need the manufacturers pin-out diagrams to locate the CAN_Hi, CAN_Lo, and Ground pins for that ECM.
1. Remove the positive battery lead from the battery. This step cannot be omitted.
2. Disconnect the ECM wiring harnesses and remove the ECM from the vehicle.
3. With the VOM set to read resistance (Ohms setting), place one lead on the CAN_Hi terminal and the other
lead on the CAN_Ground terminal. Note the value.
4. With the VOM set to read resistance (Ohms setting), place one lead on the CAN_Lo terminal and the other
lead on the CAN_Ground pin. Note the value.
5. Compare both values to the table below.

Value Issue Next Step, Resolution

Try connecting to the vehicle through a

1 - 4 Mega Ohms No issue. VDA and software. If software does not
work, contact Diesel Laptops.

Contact manufacturer about either

< 1 Mega Ohms Faulty CAN transceivers.
replacement or repairing of the ECM.

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 43
26. Appendix E. Technical Support
26.1. Technical Support
Technical support hours can be found at http://support.diesellaptops.com.

Diesel Laptops welcomes any opportunity to serve a customer, do not hesitate to call us with an issue!

Diesel Laptops Technical Support

Phone: (888) 983-1975 Option 2

E-mail: [email protected]

Diesel Decoder User Manual – Copyright © 2020 Diesel Laptops, LLC Page 44