What is an OBD cable? Can I use an OBD cable with my vehicle?Updated 15 minutes ago
What is an OBD cable?
OBD cables are an alternative to hardwiring for powering dash cams, providing the same functionality as a hardwired installation without the relatively difficult installation process. They plug into the OBD-II diagnostic port found in all OBD-II vehicles, and can provide continuous power when the vehicle is off to keep dash cams running in parking mode.
What is OBD? Can I use an OBD cable with my vehicle?
On-board diagnostics (OBD) is a term referring to a vehicle's self-diagnostic and reporting capability. Starting in 1981, vehicle manufacturers have incorporated data link ports (commonly referred to as OBD ports) to provide vehicle repair technicians and more technically-inclined owners access to the status of the various vehicle subsystems.
OBD ports are divided into two main categories.
- OBD-I (1981-1996)
- OBD-II (1994-current)
- Some vehicles from the mid-1990s (~1993-1996) have an OBD-II DLC (diagnostic link connector) aka “OBD port”. They are physically identical to a true OBD-II port. However, they are not fully OBD-II compliant, lack full OBD-II functionality, and are thus sometimes referred to as "OBD-1.5".
- Starting in the early 2000s, CANBUS (which has been used in automotive applications since 1991) was added to OBD-II, further enhancing but also complicating the protocol. You can think of CANBUS as “OBD-2.5”.
Within these two main categories there are sub categories for vehicle type;
- Passenger Cars & Light Trucks (up to 14,000lbs/6,400kg GVWR) — think Ford F-350 / Chevy 3500, and smaller.
- Medium Duty & Heavy Duty Trucks & Commercial Vehicles, (over 14,000lbs/6,400kg GVWR).
The second category of Medium Duty & Heavy Duty Trucks & Commercial Vehicles are not bound to the same OBD-II port specifications (different pins do different things). Some vehicles in this category sold in North America between the 2007 and 2012 model years may use an "OBD-1.5" standard known as EMD/EMD+ instead.
EVs and some other zero-emissions vehicles have been granted exemption from full OBD-II compliance for Passenger Cars & Light Trucks.
Within these two categories, there are more sub categories for different countries/regions of the world, such as EOBD for the version of OBD-II used in Europe, and JOBD for the version of OBD-II used in Japan.
OBD-II is mandatory in the following countries/regions:
- Australia & New Zealand
- All vehicles since January 1, 2006
- California
- All gasoline passenger cars & light trucks since model year 1996 (calendar year 1995)
- All diesel passenger cars & light trucks since 1997
- All medium duty & heavy duty trucks & commercial vehicles since 2007 (as an option to EMD/EMD+)
- China
- Certain light vehicles have been required to incorporate OBD-II by July 1, 2008. Some regional exemptions may apply.
- European Union
- All gasoline vehicles since model year 2001 (calendar year 2000)
- All diesel vehicles since 2004
- United States
- All gasoline passenger cars & light trucks since 2004
- All passenger cars & light trucks since 2006
- All OBD-II passenger cars & light trucks have been required to use the ISO 15765-4 variant of CANBUS since 2008
- All medium duty & heavy duty trucks & commercial vehicles since model year 2013 (calendar year 2012)
How does an OBD cable work?
In the simplest terms, OBD cables utilize OBD-II ports to provide continuous power when the vehicle is off to keep dash cams running in parking mode.
However, due to the vast number of variances between OBD-II protocols, the logic used by the OBD cable is also unique to each different cable, most often being a combination of vehicle voltage monitoring, built-in G-sensors, and timers.
Some OBD cables only provide continuous power, thus only being suitable for dash cams that can enter and exit parking mode based on perceived vehicle motion. Others may be able to switch compatible dash cams in and out of parking mode using a built-in simulated ignition, though they do not directly interface with the vehicle's ignition like a 3-wire hardwiring kit or battery pack would.
Many OBD cables have a built-in low-voltage cutoff, allowing them to cut power to the dash cam if the vehicle voltage drops to a certain threshold. Some may also offer additional customization, typically via on-board switches, to enhance their compatibility with different vehicles.
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