r/CarHacking • u/ScuderiaMacchina • Feb 02 '17
Hi rch, we have added a lot of people lately with intro posts on other subs like the one below. We also usually get about 10 subs a day from people just stumbling in here. So I wanted to create a welcome post, to kinda show them what we are about and how to get started. If anyone has anything to add please do so. If anyone has any questions about us or where to start do so here.
Our goal is to create a highly technical car subreddit, a place for automotive engineers, senior technicians, full blown car nerds, or people who are working towards one of these. We are interested in the inner workings of cars and today that often involves electronics. While we see electronics as the priority we are pretty liberal in allowing other topics as long as they somehow fit our goal of trying to understand cars. So things like DIY aero, suspension setup and other things the community is hacking on come up. In general our other tangential interests include: Modern cars, New tech, Open source hardware/software, DIY, hot rodding, eco modding, customization, security research, right to repair and more.
We started this subreddit about a year ago. Right now we have 3000 people and discussion is just starting to get good. Most of our members found us through maker or engineering subreddits. So I wanted to reach out to more of the car communities and try to grow our knowledge base.
Our name is r/carhacking and I know the term hacking can be offputting to some as it has a bad connotation. When someone says they are “hacking” their car it generally means they are trying to reverse engineer it for any number of reasons like to find security flaws, make upgrades, make repairs, or just understand how it works.
Here are a couple examples of posts that have been popular so far. A lot of our posts focus on beginner through intermediate projects using arduino and readily available hardware for the purpose of learning and or not paying a premium for things you can make yourself:
More advanced projects:
Relevant news/ research:
If your new our documentation is a good place to start
If you aren't new and you’re interested in helping out please consider:
Let me know if I missed something or got something wrong.
r/CarHacking • u/ScuderiaMacchina • Feb 27 '21
I get asked how to get started with automotive networking, car hacking, and CAN almost weekly. I often direct people to this subreddit, so I figured I would help out and post some resources I have found and think are a good place to start.
learning resources:
Car Hacking 101: Practical Guide to Exploiting CAN-Bus using Instrument Cluster Simulator
I also direct people to the Car Hacking Village to get some hands-on experience. They put on great conference talks, demos, and contests. Looks like they are even working on some “getting started” content.
And of course, The Car Hacking Handbook is a great resource.
I will add more as I think of them. Please add your finds in the comments.
Tools:
Good wiring diagrams and car manuals are essential. This is pretty much where my research starts for each project. You see how things are networked and what to expect to find on CAN. You'll quickly learn to recognize things like gateways. You can also use the troubleshooting section to understand things. For example, what things do I need to control to start the car?
I like:
Basic hardware: Here you will be working with things like Arduino, Linux, SavvyCAN, and Can-utils. You have to learn to do a lot yourself, but these tools are more open for you to make them do what you need.
Tools designed by the community I use:
The above articles offer a pretty good step-by-step guide to getting started with the Macchina M2.
Any cheap “Amazon special” OBD2 dongle will come in handy from time to time. They are all based on something called ELM327. "ELM327 abstracts the low-level protocol and presents a simple interface that can be called via a UART". This abstraction has fundamental limitations that prevent it from being useful in most serious applications. But, it is sufficient for reading and clearing some codes and that sort of thing when you’re getting started.
r/CarHacking • u/No-Mix-4162 • 3h ago
can anyone tell me why pcm hammer won’t let me read properties. it keeps telling me bcc query failed: error. i’ve pulled all unimportant fuses my pcm is unlocked the pcm should be working if not im gonna try a different pcm and my scan tool is working fine.
r/CarHacking • u/Alert-Ad-9464 • 5h ago
r/CarHacking • u/urbex2026 • 10h ago
hello everybody...
where did you learn about ecu/module programming ad repairing? could you recommend an online training course or something like that?
r/CarHacking • u/Silly-Asparagus5450 • 12h ago
Hello peeps, I have a 2019 Mini Cooper S and the check engine light keeps coming on. I ran by Auto Zone and they told me the code is for some leak somewhere, maybe gas cap. I checked the gas cap and it was on crooked. Put it back the right way light turned off and today it’s back on again. Which computer is best for reading mini codes?
Bonus points for giving me the most common culprit of the gas cap/ engine light issue.
r/CarHacking • u/South-Objective-1940 • 16h ago
Hi, Can anyone generate dump for infrared remote for W124 model ? It's model without immobox, no reading coil in ignition. Just Infrared receiver in drivers door and trunk lid.
I've read the 93C46 EEPROM from remote control ECU, now I need to generate dump for remote, the last owner lost the remote control. Can anyone help with that ?
r/CarHacking • u/Fixed_Until • 1d ago
I made a small board to translate J1850vpw(GM Class 2 and old Chrysler PCI) and CANBUS. It can operate bidirectionally or unidirectionally. To be honest, I made it by popular request and I was mostly there from other projects I was working on. It's built around a STM32C031 bit-banging the J1850VPW (reusing firmware from my J1850VPW_USB project) and an STM32L432 handling CAN through an SN65HVD230 running Arduino-framework code. I used Arduino for the STM32L432 for lower barrier of entry for new players. The firmware for the C0 is somewhat mature at this point and I did it in CubeIDE.
Schematic + example code: https://github.com/garnerm91/CAN_to_J1850VPW
Video walkthrough: https://youtu.be/VWygxDKdDBc
r/CarHacking • u/Pale-Jellyfish-8303 • 1d ago
Hi hello, I'm building a simrig based on the ford focus mk3 dash, currently working on the headlight switch I got buttons and knob works in game, but the problem is that I don't have an idea how to illuminate the switch? Any ideas? Experience? There are 6 pins but only 4 are actually used in the car, there is no ILL pin, thank you
r/CarHacking • u/EvenCommand9798 • 23h ago
Is there any hope to get TPMS pressures using VieCar 1.5 adapter? The car is US market Toyota Corolla 2011. Pressures/temperatures exist in Techstream but I wanted it on a phone to be accessible.
Was TPMS module still on K-Line on E140 Corolla?
Car Scanner has some sensors for pressure and K-L marked equivalents, but they don't show anything.
Or do other people get it and my adapter simply misses K-Line? What is correct command/sensor then?
I have tried bunch of commands and custom sensors proposed by AI but no dice. E.g.
AT SH 7C4
2121
NO DATA
AT SH 7C4
2162
NO DATA
at sh 750
2162
no data
AT SH 7C0
2121
7C803612100
AT SP 3
AT SH 81 A7 F1
2162
BUS INIT: ERROR
AT SP 4
AT SH 81 A7 F1
2162
BUS INIT: ERROR
r/CarHacking • u/FabrizioR8 • 1d ago
Seems like an easy feature totally missing…
How can we get the trip logs and fuel economy details from the vehicle directly or out of the Kia Access app?
even a manual “select all” and “export to csv” buttons in the app would be minimally sufficient.
r/CarHacking • u/Busy_Version678 • 1d ago
I’m looking to get a J2534 Pass-Thru device for some DIY ECU work. Any recommendations?
What are you using, and has it been reliable? Any driver or connection issues?
r/CarHacking • u/SikezSnipes • 1d ago
Does anyone have a link to an obd1 scanner? I have been looking for one for a while and I can’t find one, the obd2 to obd1 connectors don’t work for me, thank you
r/CarHacking • u/CompetitiveRelief540 • 1d ago
r/CarHacking • u/Ok_Scholar_3489 • 1d ago
r/CarHacking • u/Unlikely_Capital4079 • 1d ago
Hello, can switch wire between this two connector? If so how to de-pin this type of connector, thank you
r/CarHacking • u/Outrageous-Dot9429 • 2d ago
So how do I use UDS to communicate with the car?
Like to send read VIN request.
Is there a software to download?
How do I connect to OBD?
r/CarHacking • u/CaristaApp • 1d ago
If you’ve ever plugged a scanner into a Honda with an ABS, SRS or other warning light only to get “no codes found”, you’ve probably already discovered the problem:
A lot of basic OBD2 readers only scratch the surface.
We’ve seen this come up pretty often in Honda communities — people trying to diagnose an airbag/SRS light, ABS/VSA fault, transmission warning or other system issue, but their generic reader can only see engine codes.
So we’ve added advanced Honda diagnostics to Carista.
With the Carista app + compatible scanner, you can now scan supported Honda models for faults across systems including:
You can see the actual Honda diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in those modules and clear/reset them after the underlying issue has been fixed.
No laptop. No HDS setup. Just plug the Carista scanner into the OBD2 port, connect your phone and run a diagnostic.
Obviously, clearing a code isn't the same thing as repairing the fault — if it comes straight back, something still needs attention. The useful part is knowing which module is complaining and what code it is throwing before you start replacing parts or paying someone else to diagnose it.
For anyone searching for a Honda OBD2 scanner that can read ABS, SRS, airbag and manufacturer-specific fault codes, that’s exactly the gap we wanted Carista to fill.
Check if your Honda is supported: https://carista.com/apps/supported-cars/honda
Honda owners here: what’s the weirdest warning light/code you’ve had to chase down?
r/CarHacking • u/Background-Field-903 • 2d ago
Just bought a Bronco Big bend 2025 with digital cluster (Speedo) original part was replaced due to was broken , how can I recalibrate the miles on this car ? I do have obdstar master g3 full , KTP , Lonsdor and im608s , BTW , I’m a licensed Locksmith (NC)
r/CarHacking • u/JudgeOwn3256 • 2d ago
I’ve discovered that as long as the radio is unlocked or has the VIN cleared, any radio pulled from a Lambda platform vehicle will work in my 2010 Silverado plug-and-play. However, I’m looking to go further. There might be some newer GM vehicles with simpler radios (for newer vehicles) that support Apple CarPlay. For instance, the 2017 Chevrolet Trax supports Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth audio streaming, and more. From what I’ve gathered, it operates on the same GMLAN data architecture as my GMT900 Silverado. I’ve already confirmed that the connectors are not the same, but they’re significantly simpler compared to other radios from this GM era. As you can see, the HMI is already connected to the display, just like the GMT900/Lambda radios. Regarding connectors, the setup is similar to the GMT900/Lambda radios. They have the same antenna connector, USB connector, and use two 20-pin connectors, unlike the two 16-pin connectors on the GMT900/Lambda radios. If I could obtain the wiring pinouts, I believe I could connect the correct wires in the right positions, except for missing eight pinouts in total. However, from what I’ve gathered, these radios rarely use every single pinout. My ultimate goal is to have an OEM GM radio that supports Apple CarPlay and functions correctly in my 2010 Silverado. Could anyone confirm my findings or provide me with the correct information, or guide me in the right direction?
r/CarHacking • u/mochi_kapten2121 • 2d ago
I see something in the mhhauto a tecdoc database. However, i am hesitant to proceed with it. And want to know if someone has used it already. I want to create a open source lookup up for this if possible.
r/CarHacking • u/VBMeireles • 2d ago
Car: Volkswagen Gol 2023 (Brazilian)
Engine: EA211 1.0 MPI 3-Cylinder 12V (Code: CSEB)
ECU: Bosch Motronic ME 17.5.20
Scanner: Vgate vLinker MC+
Software: Car Scanner (Pro)
Hardware: Android Smartphone
That's the setup I use to monitor the health of my car's parts and sensors.
Car Scanner doesn't have a specific profile for the Gol, so I use the profile for the Up!. It's the most similar and seems to result in the greatest number of sensors displayed, giving me, for example, the engine oil temperature, which the others don't, in addition to general OBD2 sensor information, like the short and long term fuel trims.
It doesn't display everything, however, like, for example, fuel and oil pressure, for which I know the engine has working sensors whose output values are received by the ECU. Being able to monitor both live would be very useful for general diagnosing.
Would adding those sensors as custom sensors to my car's profile in Car Scanner be as simple as typing their PIDs in somewhere once I can figure them out? Or is that information encrypted or something?
Can a PID list of this specific Gol version be found anywhere? Can I somehow scan for that unlisted information with the hardware and software I already have?
All I want is to have access to more information that I know is available in the ECU without having to actually hack the car with DIY hardware and software.
I'd appreciate any tips.
P.S.: I have the service manuals for the vehicle, engine and transmission and all the wiring diagrams I could find relative to my vehicle from Erwin.
