TECHTALK
MULTIPLEX/CAN DATABUS SYSTEMS – PART 4
This is the final part of our series on multiplexing. The three previous
articles examined how data signals are made, how the systems
differ in layout, the different methods of data transfer and diag-
nosis of BEAN.
As already mentioned, High Speed CAN uses two wires to enable
communication between the nodes. There will be two points on the circuit
where CAN high and CAN low are joined with two 120 ohm buffer resistors.
As this means there are two resistors wired in parallel, the total resistance
of the two will be around 60 ohms. Knowledge of this will prove extremely
useful when diagnosing a fault with a CAN circuit.
One of the initial measurements that should be carried out is resistance
between the CAN high and CAN low terminals of the DL16 connector. If
the main bus lines were still intact we would expect to have a resistance of bus lines, one at a time, and monitor the resistance value on the screen of
around 60 ohms. the ohm meter. If, as we disconnect one of the sub bus lines the resistance
of the circuit goes back up to 60 ohms, we know that the short is in the
pair of sub lines that have just been disconnected. If at no point does the
resistance across the two terminals increase to 60 ohms, the short must lie
in between the two main bus lines. It is now purely going to be a matter
of basic electrical diagnosis to find the location of the specific short.
Diagnosis of an open circuit sub bus line is slightly more complex
(coloured light blue and orange in the diagrams). Through purely measuring
resistance at the DL16 there will be no evidence of a fault. In this instance
it would be advisable to use a tester capable of communication with a CAN
network. The tester is normally plugged into the DL16 plug and one of its
functions will be a bus check function (the terminology will vary between
manufacturers). This function involves the tester carrying out a “roll call”.
This will involve all of the nodes that are able to hear the “roll call” replying
If there was a break in either the high or low main bus line (represented back to the tester. At the end of the roll call the tester will list all of the
by red or dark blue lines in the diagram) we would find the resistance to nodes that replied. Through referring to a wiring diagram you should be
be 120 ohms. If this was found to be the case we would then use basic able to tell which ECU is not replying. That means the problem must either
electrical diagnostic procedures to locate the break. lie with the sub line connecting the ECU to the network, or the ECU itself.
The loom should be inspected and tested first using basic electrical test
procedures and if there is nothing wrong with the loom then the fault can
only lie with the ECU.
Another relatively common problem with CAN is for the high and low
lines to have shorted with each other. If this has happened there would be
a total network failure and all of the systems using the network would have
operational problems. The process of measuring the resistances at the DL Author of this and previous articles is ProAuto, an automotive
16 plug will help identify the fault. The resistance across the two terminals technical training company based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, which runs
in this instance would be around 0 ohms. courses from select venues nationally. Further details on website
Now that we have discovered a short between CAN high and low, we [Link], email at info@[Link], or
will need to locate the fault. What we should do now is disconnect the sub telephone on 01743 709679.
30 NOVEMBER 05 MOTOR INDUSTRY MAGAZINE [Link]