The goal of this article is to provide readers the basic tools necessary to start reverse engineering a vehicle’s can bus — all for less than $5!
The Motive
I’d like to start by thanking everyone who took the time to read my first article. I learned a lot in the process and received way more views and engagement from different platforms than I could have anticipated.
In my own project I started off by using a Peak Can module, otherwise known as PCAN, that allowed me an easy way to begin interacting with CAN. After I published my article, I noticed a trend of comments that all had a common theme — “what if I don’t have/don’t wan’t to spend $250 on a PCAN?”
At it’s core, PCAN does 2 things really great: it listens to can messages and it sends can messages. With this thought in mind, I began thinking about a way to replicate that core functionality using an Arduino clone paired with open source software.
Required Hardware
The most important bit of hardware we need is an Arduino which will act as the brains of our project. For this, I chose a Nano clone found on AliExpress setting us back $2.47.
We also need a way for the Arduino to interact with the CAN bus. That’s where this CAN receiver comes in for $1.39.
Aside from that, all that’s needed are some female to female jumper wires and a usb A to micro usb to connect to the arduino. If you…
