You may have come across the terms “OBD” or “OBDII” when reading about connected vehicles and devices like Geotab GO. These features are part of the onboard computers in cars and have a history that is not widely known. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of OBDII and a timeline of its development.
Understanding OBD (On-Board Diagnostics)
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) refers to the automotive electronic system that provides vehicle self-diagnosis and reporting capabilities for repair technicians. An OBD system allows technicians to access subsystem information to monitor performance and analyze repair needs.
OBD is the standard protocol used in most light-duty vehicles to retrieve vehicle diagnostic information. This information is generated by the Engine Control Units (ECUs) or engine control modules within a vehicle. These are essentially the computers or the “brains” of the vehicle.
Why is OBD2 So Important?
OBD2 is a critical component of telematics and fleet management because it enables the measurement and management of vehicle health and driving behavior.
Thanks to OBD2, fleets can:
- Track wear and tear trends and identify which vehicle parts are wearing out faster than others.
- Instantly diagnose vehicle issues before they escalate, supporting proactive rather than reactive maintenance management.
- Measure driving behavior, including speed, idling time, and much more.
Where is the OBD2 Port Located?
In a typical passenger vehicle, the OBD2 port is located on the underside of the dashboard on the driver’s side of the car. Depending on the vehicle type, the port may have a 16-pin, 6-pin, or 9-pin configuration.
OBD vs. OBD2: What’s the Difference?
An OBD2 is simply the second generation of an OBD or OBD I. The original OBD I was initially connected externally to a car’s console, while OBDII is now integrated within the vehicle itself. OBD I was used until OBDII was developed in the early 1990s.
The History of OBD2
The history of on-board diagnostics dates back to the 1960s. Several organizations laid the groundwork for the standard, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It is important to note that before standardization, manufacturers created their own systems. Each manufacturer’s tools (and sometimes even different models from the same manufacturer) had their own type of connector and electronic interface requirements. They also used their own custom codes to report problems.
Key Milestones in OBD History
1968 — Volkswagen introduced the first computer OBD system with scan capability.
1978 — Datsun introduced a simple OBD system with limited, non-standardized capabilities.
1979 — The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended a standardized diagnostic connector and a set of diagnostic test signals.
1980 — GM introduced a proprietary interface and protocol capable of providing engine diagnostics through an RS-232 interface or, more simply, by flashing the Check Engine Light.
1988 — Standardization of on-board diagnostics arrived in the late 1980s following the 1988 SAE recommendation calling for a standard connector and set of diagnostics.
1991 — The state of California required all vehicles to have some form of basic on-board diagnostics. This became known as OBD I.
1994 — The state of California mandated that all vehicles sold in the state from 1996 onwards must have OBD as recommended by SAE, now called OBDII, to enable widespread emissions testing. OBDII included a series of standardized Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
1996 — OBD-II became mandatory for all cars manufactured in the United States.
2001 — EOBD (the European version of OBD) became mandatory for all gasoline vehicles in the European Union.
2003 — EOBD became mandatory for all diesel vehicles in the EU.
2008 — From 2008 onwards, all vehicles in the United States have been required to implement OBDII via a Controller Area Network, as specified in ISO standard 15765-4.
What Data Can Be Accessed from OBD2?
OBD2 provides access to status information and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) for:
- Powertrain (engine and transmission)
- Emission control systems
In addition, the following vehicle information can be accessed through OBD2:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Calibration Identification Number
- Ignition counter
- Emission control system counters
When a car is taken to a service center for maintenance, a mechanic can connect to the OBD port with a scan tool, read the fault codes, and identify the problem. This means mechanics can accurately diagnose faults, quickly inspect the vehicle, and fix any issues before they become major problems.
Examples:
Mode 1 (Vehicle Information):
- Pid 12 — Engine RPM
- Pid 13 — Vehicle Speed
Mode 3 (Fault Codes: P= Powertrain, C= Chassis, B= Body, U= Network):
- P0201 — Injector Circuit Malfunction – Cylinder 1
- P0217 — Engine Overtemperature Condition
- P0219 — Engine Overspeed Condition
- C0128 — Brake Fluid Low Circuit
- C0710 — Steering Position Malfunction
- B1671 — Battery Module Voltage Out of Range
- U2021 — Invalid/Faulty Data Received
OBD and Telematics
The presence of OBD2 allows telematics devices to silently process information such as engine RPM, vehicle speed, fault codes, fuel consumption, and much more. The telematics device can use this information to determine trip start and end times, over-revving, speeding, excessive idling, fuel usage, etc. All this information is uploaded to a software interface, allowing fleet management teams to monitor vehicle usage and performance.
Given the multitude of OBD protocols, not all telematics solutions are designed to work with every type of vehicle currently on the road. Geotab telematics overcomes this challenge by translating diagnostic codes from different makes and models, and even electric vehicles.
With the OBD-II port, a fleet tracking solution can be quickly and easily connected to your vehicle. In the case of Geotab, it can be set up in under five minutes.
If your vehicle or truck does not have a standard OBDII port, an adapter can be used instead. In any case, the installation process is fast and does not require any special tools or the help of a professional installer.
What is WWH-OBD?
WWH-OBD stands for World Wide Harmonized On-Board Diagnostics. It is an international standard used for vehicle diagnostics, implemented by the United Nations as part of the Global Technical Regulation (GTR) mandate, which includes monitoring vehicle data such as emissions output and engine fault codes.
Benefits of WWH-OBD
Below are the benefits of moving to WWH in more technical terms:
Access to More Data Types
Currently, OBDII PIDs (Parameter IDs) used in Mode 1 are only one byte long, meaning only up to 255 unique data types are available. The expansion of PIDs could also be applied to other OBD-II modes moved to WWH via UDS modes. Adopting WWH standards allows for more data availability and provides the possibility for future expansion.
More Detailed Fault Data
Another advantage of WWH is the expansion of the information contained within a fault. Currently, OBDII uses a two-byte Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) to indicate when a fault has occurred (e.g., P0070 indicates that the ambient air temperature sensor “A” has a general electrical fault).
Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS) expands the 2-byte DTC into a 3-byte DTC, where the third byte indicates the “failure mode.” This failure mode is similar to the Failure Mode Indicator (FMI) used in the J1939 protocol. For example, previously in OBDII, you could have the following five faults:
- P0070 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit
- P0071 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Range/Performance
- P0072 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input
- P0073 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input
- P0074 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent
With WWH, these are all consolidated into one code P0070, with 5 different failure modes indicated in the third byte of the DTC. For example, P0071 now becomes P0070-1C.
WWH also offers more fault information, such as severity/class and status. The severity will indicate how soon the fault needs to be reviewed, while the fault class will indicate which group the fault belongs to as per GTR specifications. Additionally, the fault status will indicate if it is pending, confirmed, or if the test for this fault has been completed in the current driving cycle.
In summary, WWH-OBD expands upon the current OBDII framework to offer even more diagnostic information to the user.
Geotab Supports WWH-OBD
Geotab has already implemented the WWH protocol in our firmware. Geotab employs a complex protocol detection system, where we safely probe what is available on the vehicle to figure out if OBD-II or WWH is available (in some cases, both are).
At Geotab, we are constantly improving our firmware to expand the information our customers gain access to. We have already started supporting 3-byte DTC information and continue to add more fault information generated in vehicles. When new information becomes available via OBDII or WWH (such as a new PID or fault data), or if a new protocol is implemented in the vehicle, Geotab prioritizes quickly and accurately adding it to the firmware. We then immediately send the new firmware to our units over the cloud so our customers are always getting the most benefit from their devices.
Growing Beyond OBDII
OBDII contains 10 standard modes for obtaining the diagnostic information required by emissions regulations. The issue is that these 10 modes have not been sufficient.
Over the years since OBDII implementation, various UDS modes have been developed to enrich the available data. Each vehicle manufacturer uses their own PIDs and implements them via additional UDS modes. Information that was not required through OBDII data (such as odometer and seat belt usage) became available through UDS modes.
The reality is that UDS contains more than 20 additional modes on top of the current 10 standard modes available through OBDII, meaning UDS has more information available. But that is where WWH-OBD comes in, looking to incorporate UDS modes with OBDII to enrich the data available for diagnostics, while still maintaining a standardized process.
Conclusion
In the growing world of IoT, the OBD port remains important for vehicle health, safety, and sustainability. While the number and variety of connected devices for vehicles increases, not all devices give and track the same information. Furthermore, compatibility and security can vary from device to device.
Given the multitude of OBD protocols, not all telematics solutions are designed to work with every type of vehicle currently on the road. Good telematics solutions should be able to understand and translate a comprehensive set of vehicle diagnostic codes.
