OBDII (DLC) Connector Break Out Box

The neoVI DLC LineSpy Break Out Box is allows you to connect your neoVI FIRE or neoVI RED hardware devices to the vehicle's DLC while simultaneously monitoring the physical pins of the connector. With each of the 16 pins available for banana jack or oscilloscope probes, LineSpy gives you an open connection to your vehicle's networking systems.

View Network Activity without Other Hardware

LineSpy has four LED lights to indicate network activity on HS CAN, ISO 9141, Class 2, and J1850 PWM. Also Power and Ground LED lights let you know for sure if you have a good connection to the vehicle's connector.

Application Notes

1. Benefits and Features of the neoVI DLC LineSpy

2. LineSpy Layout
   • Pin 1
   • Pin 2 Yellow LED (VPW,PWM)
   • Pin 3
   • Pin 4 Green LED (Gnd)
   • Pin 5 Green LED (Gnd)
   • Pin 6 Yellow LED (CAN)
   • Pin 7 Yellow LED (KWP,ISO)
   • Pin 8
   • Pin 9
   • Pin 10 Yellow LED (PWM)
   • Pin 11
   • Pin 12
   • Pin 13
   • Pin 14
   • Pin 15
   • Pin 16 Red LED

3. Red LED on pin 16

   

   The red LED uses both grounds, pin 4 and 5. This is accomplished by the use of diodes and effects how the red LED will respond to ground issues. For example, if the vehicle wiring to pin 4 has a high resistance problem it will not affect the red LED because it still has a good ground path via diode 2 and pin 5, the signal ground. As a general rule, the red LED will dim if:

   • The battery voltage is low.
   • The wiring to DLC pin 16 is defective.
   • Both ground circuits have resistance issues.

4. Green LED on pins 4 and 5

   

   Each ground LED (pin 4 and 5) is connected to battery voltage via pin 16. Therefore, a ground issue on pin 4 will not affect LED 5. A dim individual green LED will indicate a circuit problem with the corresponding circuit.

5. Yellow LED on pins 2, 6, 7 and 10

   Yellow LED's light up on pins 2, 6, 7 and 10 to show communication with scan tool and for communication protocol identification. When the yellow LEDs illuminate depends on the vehicle. For some vehicles none or multiple yellow LEDs will illuminate as soon as the LineSpy is connected and the ignition is turned on.

   A Ford PWM is an example. Pin 2 and 10 will start flashing as soon as the ignition is turned on even though a scan tool is not connected. Also, the brightness of the LED depends on the nature of the signal it is following.

   The LineSpy LEDs can be used to quickly identify the communication protocol. The best way to identify the protocol is to set the scan tool up for LIVE DATA. This will result in a constant data stream between the neoVI and the vehicle. Next, locate the LED(s) that are flashing.

   For example:

   • Only LED 7 flashing: Protocol is either KWP or ISO 9141
   • LED 2 and LED 10 flashing: Protocol is PWM

   The User Manual goes into more detail.

6. Self-Healing Fuse on pin 16

   The socket input to pin 16 is protected by a self healing fuse between the socket and the cable. If for some reason a short were to develop between the pin 16 banana socket and a ground outside the LineSpy the fuse will open protecting the LineSpy, the DLC connector and associated wiring. Note that if a scan tool is connected to the LineSpy when a short occurs as described above the power to the scan tool will not be interrupted. This fuse is rated at 1.5 amps and will open the circuit at 2.7a (temperature dependent). Reset the fuse by disconnecting the fuse from power and let cool.