On-Board Diagnostics: Basics

The idea of automobiles being as advanced as "robotic cars" from Hollywood fantasy movies
sounds like a talk from another dimension altogether. Seeing cars talk and behave in a manner
we could understand, seems exciting but unreal. No doubt the technology on our planet is also
running at a faster pace, but talking cars? Is still far. However, our technological advancements
have enabled us to understand our vehicles much better. They may not talk to us in our
languages, but a "diagnostics system" is no less than a language that helps us to understand the
condition of our vehicle correctly." An "OBD or On-Board Diagnostics" is where a vehicle can
diagnose and report its conditions by displaying various codes.

Vehicle diagnostics are both OFF-board and On-board. Off-board diagnostics, store faults and
monitor all the control units to be retrieved later for the technician's help where an On-board
comes into the picture when the vehicle is running. Now understanding the technology behind it,
just like CAN Bus, a lower-level protocol system involving the hardware, OBD is a higher-level
protocol involving the language. Therefore, any OBD interface device can function as an
interface between an OBD port and the vehicle through a computer.

From The Beginning:

Introduced around the late 1970s with a general idea of understanding faults in a vehicle. It
found more extensive application in 1980s. It was seen to be used for testing the Engine Control
Module (ECM) on the vehicle assembly line. The only function available initially were the
"blinking lights". The blinking pattern of "malfunction indicator lights" also known as MIL
could be interpreted as "Diagnostic Trouble Codes" (DTC's) to check the engine. Later, in 1988:
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) had made it so that all newer vehicles in California
had some basic OBD capability. However, the data link connector, data protocol, and position
were not standardised. A standardised diagnostic connector and set of diagnostic test signals
were recommended by The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), which were later termed as
"OBD-I". After much advancement and up-gradation, OBD-II came into existence, and its
specifications were made mandatory for all cars sold in the United States starting the form year
1996.

All significant standards for Diagnostics are mentioned in the table below:
 An OBD connector is a standard 16-pin (DIL) female connector (J1962) located inside the
vehicle. The Pin layout can be understood clearly with the image given below. Also, the
unspecified pins are subjected to the vehicle manufacturer's discretion.

Where OBD finds usage?

OBD is an automotive electronic system. It provides vehicle self-diagnosis and reporting
capabilities so a user/technician can act upon it. An OBD gives the driver/operator access to
subsystem information for monitoring performance and repair needs of the vehicle. Also, self-
diagnostic functionality systems are incorporated into the engine control system to alert the
vehicle driver/operator about potential problems that can affect the emission performance of an
automobile. OBD can efficiently identify faults in
 Fuel Systems. Number of ignition cycles
 Engine Misfires. Status of "Check Engine" light
 Emissions Control Systems. Emission readiness status
 Vehicle/Speed Idling Controls. Real-time parameters: RPM, speed, pedal position, spark
advance, airflow rate, coolant temperature, seat belt, airbags, oxygen sensor test results, and
many more related to vehicle body & chassis.
 Computer Systems. Transmission Systems.
 Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The number of miles
driven with MIL on.
 One can also get a "snapshot" of parameters when a trouble event has occurred through the
"Freeze frame" function.