Car OBD2 CANBUS Access

Discussions focus on accessing vehicle data, diagnostics, and controls via OBD2 ports and CANBUS systems, including manufacturer telemetry, tracking devices, remote disabling, and open-source hacking tools like Comma.ai.

📉 Falling 0.4x Hardware
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II US ASAM OpenPilot GP ODBII reddit.com GPS J1939 CAN car port vehicle cars steering manufacturer vehicles chassis braking steering wheel

Sample Comments

grepfru_it Jan 24, 2026 View on HN

Depends on the car. Some require to intercept at the canbus gateway. I could recommend an installer

CatWChainsaw Feb 3, 2024 View on HN

It looks like you're driving a car without a touchscreen or black-box computer that the manufacturer can mine for "data", let's fix that!

gms Mar 12, 2013 View on HN

Do all cars have this 'data port'? I had no idea this thing existed.

mylons Jul 26, 2023 View on HN

how do these services work? is it something on the car giving away info about the vehicle?

keehun Nov 27, 2015 View on HN

Am I understanding this correctly? The car is constantly communicating with BMW's servers?

0x457 Aug 8, 2025 View on HN

That's CANBUS not OBD2, and it only works on some cars because not moronic manufacturer prevent it. Try doing it, on a European car you will fail.

syshum Mar 22, 2017 View on HN

They are TryingODBII regulations for Highway Vehicles are what prevents the bulk of it today. ODBII does not apply to non-road vehicles like Tractors.However Automanufacturers are moving anything that is not required by ODBII (which was passed in 1996 so it very out dated) to CANBUS and disallowing 3rd parties access. This makes is harder for Independent shops to service some of the non-mechanical parts of the car like the GPS, Radio, power seats, etc

13415 Nov 8, 2020 View on HN

Common practice? Car dealers in the US can disable used cars remotely?

mimentum Feb 13, 2022 View on HN

Surprised it isn't running a CANBUS system.

jimmaswell Oct 12, 2025 View on HN

connect to the OBD2 port or something? there are lots of alternatives