Has anyone used the CAN box to sucessfully diagnose any throttle actuators on GM vehicles?  Pin 9, I believe is UART 5V only for throttle control, if my memory serves me right.  I am considering one of these add ons, but I don't see a lot of network problems (yet).  I would like to get one and learn it a little bit before I really need it and don't know what its about and what you can do with it.   Thanks

Ed

Okay, maybe to specific of a question.  Does anyone use the CAN box regularly?  

Ed

Auto Samurai wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2010 at 4:19am:

Okay, maybe to specific of a question.  Does anyone use the CAN box regularly?   Ed

Before this CAN box was introduced I bought a LINE SPY I believe it is the same thing, so to answer your question YES bye one as you will find it a great help on bus problems.

Mick

Ed,

I use the "Line Spy" regularly on any vehicle that requires the use of the Modis with the personality keys. The reason is not necessarily for CAN bus issues, it is to make an extension and relieve the weight of the DLC and make it easier to switch out keys if I toggle from enhanced to generic.

Another thing I find very useful is the LED indicators that will let you know right away if you have B+ and GNDs prior to scanning. Additionally, you can use the BOB to supply B+ and/or GND for other testing.

Like Mick, I bought the Line Spy before the Pico BOB was available.

Regards,

We have a Pico one we got from Tom

It is a handy tool when we need it.  We have used it more as a tester/passtrough for the scanner than for the scope, but that is very important.

It is neat because you can put it inline with the scanner, and you instantly see what you have, power, ground, battery, and which data buses are working (they blink or flash).  Saves a lot of wasted time when we have difficulty communicating with the scanner.

And on a "what quits first" car you can easily see, from a distance, what is working and what quit.

It does work well with the scope too.  We have been working with those signals so when we encounter a bad one, we know what a good one looks like.  We find we learn better from known goods, and then have an easier time with broken ones.

Would not give it back, it has found a permanent home!  It was not expensive, and very well made.  Comes with it's own boot and a good collection of leads.

From our point of view a strong 2 thumbs up!

John and Mike

Awesome, thanks everyone for the info.  ;D  I suppose I am looking at the tool solely from the scope perspective.  I have run into quite a few cars that I have problems with scanner communication (for some reason a lot of Windstars).  Sounds like it would come in handy.  But I suppose you would still have to know your com lines and what module uses which CAN line.  I think I will be working some overtime and pick one up.  Thanks again.  :)

Ed

I have been using the Pico Can box now for quite some time and besides all of it obvious positives, It is a well known fact that aftermarket radios can destroy scan tools when not properly wired. Often the K-line is powered thru the harness adaptor kit. there is generally some voltage on the K-line, less than 9 volts is acceptable. When the K-line is a hard 12 volts bad things happen to scan tools. I have found that by plugging in the pico can test box and looking for the K-line light to light up I need to measure the voltage but generally on a unmodified vehicle the voltage is below 9 volts. Hope this helps  :)

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Hi Ed,

I've been using the CAN test box for a few months now, it's awesome and well worth the money.
I regular see poor DLC connections especially on P38 Range Rovers, it takes all the guessing out of the head scratching re. comms issues.
It now has it's own place on the shelf of my van and is the first thing to be plugged in, either scanning or scoping, not while programming though.

CAN and K line issues are so easy to be spotted (Pin 6 CAN Hi - Pin 14 CAN Lo) oh and it amazes customers too..  ;)

Treat your self, you will not regret it.

Regards,
Nige

Hi Nige,
   Just curious why you wouldn't use this while programming?  Would / could the LED's interfere with the programming process?  I was wondering about being able to actually see on a labscope the programming process.
Thanks,
Doug S.

Hi Ed,


Quote:

Has anyone used the CAN box to sucessfully diagnose any throttle actuators on GM vehicles?

Won't work. GM uses a special type of UART (not what you're used to seeing)  between the TAC module and the PCM.  You cannot get to it from the DLC.

Jim,

Oh well, just a thought.  I will be picking up one of the boxes in the next few months either way.  Thanks for the posts everyone. ;D

Ed