OBD-II Connector
Diagnostics & Protocols · 7 specs
Direct Answer
The SAE J1962 Connector (standardized under ISO 15031-3, commonly called the OBD-II Data Link Connector / DLC) is the mandatory 16-pin trapezoidal diagnostic interface installed in passenger vehicles since 1996. Located within 2 feet of the steering column, it provides standard battery power, grounds, and multi-protocol network lines (CAN Bus, K-Line, KWP2000, J1850).
Source: SAE International Standard J1962_201607 / ISO 15031-3 / US EPA & CARB OBD-II Regulations · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Standardization | SAE J1962 / ISO 15031-3 / EOBD (Europe) / JOBD (Japan) |
| Pin 4 & Pin 5 (Grounds) | Pin 4: Chassis Ground | Pin 5: Signal / Sensor Ground |
| Pin 16 (Battery Power) | Unswitched permanent +12V (or +24V) battery power from vehicle fuse block (max 4A continuous) |
| Pin 6 & Pin 14 (ISO 15765-4 CAN) | Pin 6: CAN High (CAN_H, 2.5V to 3.5V) | Pin 14: CAN Low (CAN_L, 2.5V to 1.5V) |
| Pin 7 & Pin 15 (ISO 9141-2 / KWP2000) | Pin 7: K-Line single-wire serial data | Pin 15: L-Line initialization line |
| Pin 2 & Pin 10 (SAE J1850) | Pin 2: J1850 VPW (+7V GM bus) / PWM (+) | Pin 10: J1850 PWM (-) (Ford 41.6 kbps) |
| Type A vs Type B Keying | Type A (12V passenger cars: uninterrupted center alignment tab) vs Type B (24V commercial: split center tab prevents 12V scanner burnout) |
Mandated Standard vs Discretionary OEM Pins
While pins 4, 5, 6, 14, 16 are strictly standardized by federal law for emissions testing, pins 1, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 are left to the vehicle manufacturer's discretion. Automakers route secondary chassis networks through these pins (e.g. BMW puts secondary Ethernet activation lines on Pin 8, and GM puts Single-Wire SWCAN on Pin 1).