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Product Use  |  OBD-II Smartbox  |  �

OBD-II Smartbox  |  �

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en

3.4  As break out box

The OBD-II Smartbox provides easy access to any of the 16 pins 
from the OBD-II DLC port for gathering of signal pulses when diag-
nosing with an oscilloscope, for data logging when used with a Y-
cable, easy activation of blink codes, adjustment of idling rpm, etc.

This OBD-II Smartbox is a pass-through breakout box for the 
OBD-II DLC (diagnostic link connector). It can be connected to 
your OBD-II compatible tools: such as scan tools, code readers, 
monitor readers or data loggers.

Fig. 2: 

Utilizing OBD-II Smartbox as a break out box

Any tool that uses a standard test lead or probe that use 4mm 
banana plugs (including those with safety heaths) can be plugged 
to OBD-II Smartbox’s 16 pins sockets, these include, lab scopes, 
multi-meter,  logic  probes,  test  lights,  etc  to  read  the  voltage, 
resistance, frequency, pulse width or duty cycle.

Pin 16 sockets is protected by a self- recovery fuse rated at 5 amps.

Jumper cable and Blink Code cables are standard accessory:

 

Jumper cable: for direct pin to pin or stacking connection 
while scanning or perform special functions and tests.

 

Blink Code Cable - N/O (Normally Open) contact switch 
cable for Reset, Adaptation or codes activation.

Fig. 3: 

Jumper cable for OBD-II Smartbox

Fig. 4: 

Blink code cable for OBD-II Smartbox

Some Typical Applications:

 

VW - To protect the Scan tool such as aftermarket radios 
on VW's

 

GM - Transmitter Programming on some GMs

 

Honda - Set the ECM in SCS mode with your scan tool 
connected

 

Lexus - Help diagnose electronics systems (Sirius, GPS) 
on pin 6 and 14

 

Bosch  -  Troubleshoot  Bosch  controllers  that  short  to 
ground

 

Proton - needs to short pin 1 to ground in order to access 
into OBD2 functions.

 

Toyota Avanza - the base RPM can only be achieved by 
shorting pin 4 and 12

3.�  Check alternator condition

The OBD-II Smartbox also can be used to perform a quick Al-
ternator charging check during idling and high RPM conditions.

Fig. 5: 

Voltage display

With  ignition  key  in  OFF  position;  plug  OBD-II  Smartbox  into 
the car DLC without connecting the scan tool. Switch key to ON 
position and the volt LED will display the battery voltage. Start 
the engine; observe the voltage display while the engine is idling. 
It should be above 12.6 Volts for 12V system or 25.2V for 24V 
system. If not, check for loose drive belt.

Then rev engine up to 3,000rpm and observe the change in volt-
age. If the voltage is above 15.2 Volts for 12V battery or 29.2V 
for 24V battery, the alarm will beep indicating that the charging 
voltage is too high. In this case, the regulator may be faulty and 
it needs to be checked.

Then switch ON all electrical loads, rev engine to 2,000rpm and 
observe the changes in voltage at the tool. The voltage should 
above 13.6 Volts for 12V system and 27.6V for 24V system. If the 
voltage is below, check for loose drive belt and the Alternator.

Summary of Contents for TechPRO OBD-II Smartbox

Page 1: ...MAHLE TechPRO OBD II Smartbox EN Operation Manual OBD II Diagnostics ...

Page 2: ...se 4 3 1 Test OBD II port before plug in scantool 4 3 1 1 Test without ignition key 4 3 1 2 Test with ignition key in ON position 6 3 1 3 Test with engine running 7 3 2 Monitor voltage during reflash programming 7 3 3 Detect communication protocol 8 3 4 As break out box 9 3 5 Check alternator condition 9 3 6 As power backup for ECU while replacing car battery 10 3 7 As DC power source for other de...

Page 3: ...er s manual and in particular the safety instructions are studied carefully By doing so you can eliminate any uncertainties in handling MAHLE products and thus associated safety risks upfront something which is in the interests of your own safety and will ultimately help avoid damage to the device When a MAHLE product is handed over to another person all documentation and and information on its de...

Page 4: ... polarity Battery use on OBD Lamp 3V Lithium Battery Model CR1220 3 Product Use 3 1 Test OBD II port before plug in scantool The OBD II Smartbox performs tests on all 16 pins of the OBD II port for abnormalities caused by shorting reverse polarity etc in order to avoid damage to your scan tool prior to plugging in N N Test is carried out with ignition key in the OFF ON and ENGINE RUNNING condition...

Page 5: ...inate c If there is 24V present below 23 8V or above 29 2V in any Manufacturer Designated Pins the LED will blink fast The Caution Check LED will illuminate OBD II assigned protocol pins blue color socket a If there is 12V present below 11 8V or above 15 2V the respective LED will blink slowly at interval of 1 sec be tween each blink with a short beep alarm for 5 sec The Caution Check LED will ill...

Page 6: ... illuminate In situation where there is 12V or 24V present at the pin the voltage was either supplied direct short or through a resistor Its resistance value is normally not more than 20Ώ However when a voltage 0V is supplied from the other end of the Scan tool to this pin a current bigger than 0 6A will flow This indi cation serves as a warning when using Scan tool without current limiter built i...

Page 7: ...blink at a very fast pace The Caution Check LED will illuminate In this case do not plug and test with the Scan tool while engine running as this high voltage input may damage it Check the charging volts to determine whether the regulator is functioning properly Under normal conditions when after all the testing of the vehicle DLC port has been done where there are no abnormal activities the green...

Page 8: ... or multiple blue LEDs will turn on as soon as the OBD II Smartbox is connected and you start the igni tion The brightness of the LEDs depends on the nature of the signal it s pursuing This OBD II Smartbox can identify immediately the protocol used The better way to identify the protocol in use is to set up the scan tool or interface in to LIVE DATA This will lead in a constant data stream between...

Page 9: ...ations VW To protect the Scan tool such as aftermarket radios on VW s GM Transmitter Programming on some GMs Honda Set the ECM in SCS mode with your scan tool connected Lexus Help diagnose electronics systems Sirius GPS on pin 6 and 14 Bosch Troubleshoot Bosch controllers that short to ground Proton needs to short pin 1 to ground in order to access into OBD2 functions Toyota Avanza the base RPM ca...

Page 10: ... 3 Attach the battery clip to an external battery not the battery from the same car N N If the external battery voltage is above 12V the battery volt indicator LED on the Data saver cable will light up Now it is ready to proceed for replacing the car battery 4 After job done remove the battery clips from the external battery unplug OBD II Smartbox from the car N N The data saver cable comes with s...

Page 11: ... MAHLE Notes OBD II Smartbox 11 en 4 Notes ...

Page 12: ...2017 10 30 035 82569 00 MAHLE Aftermarket Inc 10 Innovation Drive York PA 17402 USA 717 840 0678 www servicesolutions mahle com ...

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