OBD2 Explained - A Simple Intro [v1.0 | 2019]

UPDATE: Check out our new v2.0 intro to OBD2!

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What is OBD2? What are OBD2 PIDs? And how to log OBD2 data?

In this basic intro to OBD2 we go through the basics, data logging, PIDs and more!

OBD (On Board Diagnostics) is the vehicle's self-diagnostic system. It allows for a standardized method for accessing various data, diagnostic trouble codes and more from cars, medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. In practice, the OBD2 protocol allows a mechanic to use e.g. an OBD2 scanner or code reader to identify the underlying issues behind a lit malfunction indicator light (MIL). But OBD2 is also relevant as a source of real-time vehicle data for use in e.g. fleet management, fuel optimization, CAN sniffing and more.

In this video and the article, we in particular focus on the data logging part of OBD2 - how is a message structured, what is an OBD query / request vs. a response message, what are OBD2 PIDs and much more. We do so through concrete examples like Vehicle Speed and RPM to make it easy to understand.

For a quick intro to our CANedge CAN bus data loggers, check out the below!

See also our intro to OBD2 data logging:

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INTROS TO CAN BASED PROTOCOLS

This video is part of our extremely popular series of CAN protocol intros. Below you'll find links for our full playlist, as well as the more detailed articles.

Playlist for all intro videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqLDpHsxvf8&list=PLpV68vjf4Xo4vZ_SjJ6tTlomYm-k18vDZ

1) CAN bus: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/can-bus-simple-intro-tutorial

2) OBD2: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/obd2-explained-simple-intro

3) J1939: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/j1939-explained-simple-intro-tutorial

4) CANopen: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/canopen-tutorial-simple-intro

5) CAN FD: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/can-fd-flexible-data-rate-intro

6) LIN bus: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/lin-bus-protocol-intro-basics

7) DBC files: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/can-dbc-file-database-intro

Tip: Want all our CAN intros in one 100+ page PDF? Then get your free 'Ultimate Guide' now:

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RECORDING & DECODING CAN BUS DATA

If you're interested in learning more about logging CAN bus data, we recommend that you check out our below intros to our CANedge CAN bus data loggers, our CANmod sensor-to-CAN modules and our free software/API tools:

Learn about CAN bus data logging:

Learn about the CANedge and CANmod:

1) CANedge1: https://www.csselectronics.com/products/can-logger-sd-canedge1

2) CANedge2: https://www.csselectronics.com/products/can-bus-data-logger-wifi-canedge2

3) CANedge3: https://www.csselectronics.com/products/can-bus-data-logger-4g-lte-canedge3-gnss

4) CANmod.gps: https://www.csselectronics.com/products/gps-to-can-bus-gnss-imu

5) CANmod.temp: https://www.csselectronics.com/products/thermocouple-to-can-bus

6) CANmod.input: https://www.csselectronics.com/products/analog-to-can-bus-digital-pulse

See also our full intros to practical data logging:

1) Blackbox logger: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/black-box-can-bus-logger

2) OBD2 data logger: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/obd2-data-logger-sd-memory-convert

3) J1939 data logger: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/j1939-data-logger-wifi-telematics-fleet-management

4) CANopen data logger: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/canopen-data-logger

5) CAN FD data logger: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/can-fd-data-logger

6) LIN data logger: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/lin-bus-data-logger

For more tutorials, see our overview: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/can-bus-intros-tutorials

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ABOUT CSS ELECTRONICS

At CSS Electronics we specialize in simple-to-use, pro specs and interoperable CAN bus data loggers - like the CANedge and CANmod. The devices let you record raw data from e.g. cars, trucks, industrial machinery and other CAN based applications onto an 8-32 GB SD card. The devices are interoperable, meaning you can process the data in your favorite existing software - or use our 100% free and open source software/API tools.

Website: https://www.csselectronics.com

Products: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/can-bus-hardware-products

Software: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/can-bus-software-api-tools

Case studies: https://www.csselectronics.com/pages/can-bus-data-logger-case-studies

We offer 100% free technical sparring - contact us: