Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Communications Network: Notes
Vehicle communication utilizes a high speed controller area network (HS-CAN), International Standards Organization (ISO) 9141 network and standard corporate protocol (SCP) network. Information is sent to and from individual control modules that each control specific functions. All 3 networks are connected to the data link connector (DLC). The DLC can be found under the instrument panel between the steering column and the audio control module (ACM).
The 3 module communication networks are:
- ISO 9141
- Standard corporate protocol (SCP)
- High speed (HS) CAN
ISO 9141 is for diagnostic use only, while SCP and HS-CAN allow multiple modules to communicate, or transfer data, with each other on a common network. HS-CAN is used for module to module communication, as well as diagnostics. The HS-CAN enables each module to share information with any module on the same network. Any module that is directly wired to a sensor may broadcast its data using a network message to any module requiring that information on the network.
| Module Name | Network Type | Termination Module |
|---|---|---|
| ABS module | HS-CAN | Yes |
| Driver door module (DDM) | SCP | N/A |
| Driver seat module (DSM) (if equipped) | SCP | N/A |
| HVAC module | SCP | N/A |
| Instrument cluster (IC) (gateway module) | HS-CAN SCP |
Yes N/A |
| Lighting control module (LCM) | SCP | N/A |
| Liftgate/trunk module (LTM) (if equipped) | ISO 9141 | N/A |
| Parking aid module (PAM) (if equipped) | ISO 9141 | N/A |
| PCM | HS-CAN | No |
| Rear audio and temperature control (RATC) module (rear audio controls) (if equipped) | SCP | N/A |
| Restraints control module (RCM) | ISO 9141 | N/A |
| Vehicle dynamics module (VDM) | HS-CAN | No |
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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