Data Link Connector: Description and Operation

Regulations and agreements among the automobile manufacturers have resulted in the Data Link Connector (DLC). This connector must be used for Scan tool and programming access to all communications systems used for those purposes on the vehicle. The connector must have:
1. A 16-pin connector configuration to which all Scan tools connect
2. Scan tool battery power always available at pin 16
3. Scan tool ground always available at pin 4
4. A clean signal ground always available at pin 5.

The rest of the pins are available for serial data communications to the vehicle systems.

The serial data circuits are the means by which the microprocessor controlled modules in the vehicle communicate with each other and the Scan tool. There are three different types of protocols on this vehicle.
^ Class II
^ Controller Area Network (CAN)
^ Keyword 2000