LEAF CANbus decoding. (Open discussion)

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JeremyW said:
It's likely the CAR CAN bus has been removed from the OBD connector, and replaced with a new "diagnostic bus" that talks just to the VCM, which can relay the message onto the requested module by decoding the query address and sending it onward to the appropriate bus where the module is located.

That's basically what's done on most all vehicles since 2005, i.e. using a single CAN bus with a central gateway (CG) that communicates
with the multiple buses (high speed engine/ABS & low speed single-ended comfort control) to access the various vehicle ECUs. Typically the
CG also controls which ECUs are active in the network, e.g. what comfort features the vehicle has installed.
 
JeremyW said:
Typically the CG also controls which ECUs are active in the network, e.g. what comfort features the vehicle has installed.
Is this likely to be what decides if options such as Cruise Control are enabled? I tried to upgrade my Leaf to this by simply installing the steering wheel button assembly. There was a connector right there in the wheel for the loom to plug in to. Sadly it wasn't as simple as that. I didn't really think it would be but you never know! :D
 
I'm trying to put a Nissan Leaf drivetrain into a classic Mini. Getting the complete Leaf components working on a bench has been somewhat frustrating, and is ultimately not the ideal solution—it's a cost-saving measure vs buying aftermarket components.

I'm at the point where I'm ready to shell out more for BMS, charging, and DC-DC conversion, but it seems like a shame to spend another $3k on components that are (arguably) inferior just because I can't communicate with the components I already have.

I'm a software engineer by trade, so I was thinking about building a CAN controller for these components, but I've never messed with an Arduino, the CAN protocol, or anything specific to an automobile's proprietary communications protocol before. It seems like something that would already have been done by someone more knowledgeable, but maybe this hobby is still a niche of niches.

Before I go back through 8 years of this thread, is there a summation somewhere? I've read that the Nissan Leaf CAN bus messages have all been decoded, but I can't find any central location for information that might help me actually control these components...

Edit: If anyone stumbles on this thread from the Greater Internet, a summation is that the first 40 pages talk about decoding and general CAN interface stuff, and after that gets into controlling the charger and motor a bit. Lots of info, but no I-can-use-this-component breakthroughs yet...This forum seems like a good place to search for more information:

https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewforum.php?f=44

Thread on "active" CAN bus stuff (getting info from the BMS/LBC):

https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=11676

There is also a pretty good forum for general EV conversions here: https://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/

Here's a spreadsheet of all the decoded Leaf CAN messages: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EHa4R85BttuY4JZ-EnssH4YZddpsDVu6rUFm0P7ouwg/

Here's a thread that ends with some success in controlling the inverter: https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=25027

More inverter details from that thread: http://productions.8dromeda.net/c55-leaf-inverter-protocol.html

Jimma Hanna's video on getting the DC-DC converter working: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMhcHkOg-Mk
 
IskeSoderlund said:
Hi!
Been lurking here for a while, I'm trying to hack a leaf OBD charger. I've come quite a way closer to charging. I've written a program which makes the charger think it's in the leaf. And it seems to work the charger is no longer sending "fault" signals by CAN. And I'm trying to make it charge by sending the same messages that the VCM sends to the leaf when charging, according to CAN captures by carrot. I still haven't been able to make it charge. Is it possible that the charger like the inverter saves DTC and refuses to start charging? If so what's my best option to remove stored DTCs?

If anyone wants my codes for the program or help with making the charger "think" its in a leaf just contact me!

I'm trying to start the charger. On a block of charges, the LED indicates that the charge is running, but there is no current on the batteries. Do you have success?
 
ybpvin said:
IskeSoderlund said:
Hi!
Been lurking here for a while, I'm trying to hack a leaf OBD charger. I've come quite a way closer to charging. I've written a program which makes the charger think it's in the leaf. And it seems to work the charger is no longer sending "fault" signals by CAN. And I'm trying to make it charge by sending the same messages that the VCM sends to the leaf when charging, according to CAN captures by carrot. I still haven't been able to make it charge. Is it possible that the charger like the inverter saves DTC and refuses to start charging? If so what's my best option to remove stored DTCs?

If anyone wants my codes for the program or help with making the charger "think" its in a leaf just contact me!

I'm trying to start the charger. On a block of charges, the LED indicates that the charge is running, but there is no current on the batteries. Do you have success?

Two possibilities here: your battery is simply balancing and won't accept a charge until balance is restored or you have a defective onboard charger.
 
I'm trying to get battery current with ID 1db. I so understand the battery current is placed in 0 and 1 bit. Tell me how to calculate the current?
 
ybpvin said:
I'm trying to get battery current with ID 1db. I so understand the battery current is placed in 0 and 1 bit. Tell me how to calculate the current?

Battery Current is in (Byte[0] 7-0 Byte[1] 7-5), so 11bit long and unit seems to be cA/2 (0.5A/bit)
 
Dala said:
ybpvin said:
I'm trying to get battery current with ID 1db. I so understand the battery current is placed in 0 and 1 bit. Tell me how to calculate the current?

Battery Current is in (Byte[0] 7-0 Byte[1] 7-5), so 11bit long and unit seems to be cA/2 (0.5A/bit)

Thanks ))
 
That's a bummer, I do not know where it went:

https://insideevs.com/news/324591/nissan-leaf-dc-dc-converter-decoded-video/
 
I've been working for over 10+ hours with the CAN database files. I recently stumbled upon new information, and can finally solve 60% of the EV-CAN with this information. I am uploading all my findings to GitHub, so anyone wanting to take it into use will have an excellent starting point.

Database files can be found here: https://github.com/dalathegreat/leaf_can_bus_messages

hlIsptP.png
 
Hi everyone, I am wondering has anybody had any success in communicating directly with the PDM in a 2015 vintage leaf.
I have removed a unit from a wrecked car. I have it set up on the bench and connected all the connections I believe I need thru the B24 connector. I have powered the unit up with out a battery load and I have measured a 5 volt signal on the battery connections. I presume this test signal out to the connector to see if teh battery is there. A short burst of data is sent out over the can bus at the same time. I have connected a test battery load to it in the 340 volt range and it does not change any of the start up conditions. Changing the inputs on the B24 connector does not initiate any new messages over the can bus. The two messages are as follows, grabbed using a DigiView D9:
SOF SOF
BASEID 30C
FRAME TYPE DATA
DLC 4
DATA 0
DATA 20
DATA 0
DATA 81
FORMERROR CRC-D
NAK N
FORMERROR EOF

This message is sent a number of times and followed by :

SOF SOF
BASEID 302
FRAME TYPE REMOTE
DLC 2
FORMERROR CRC-D
ACK A
FORMERROR ACK-D
FORMERROR EOF

Also sent a number of times.

I am going to be setting up packet sniffing on a working leaf to try and figure out the messaging. I realize I have to pick this particular data on the EV SYSTEM CAN not the CAN Communications circuit.
My hope is to move the Battery and charging system into a 2002 Toyota RAV4 EV replacing the NIMH pack and charger with as little of the leaf system going with it as possible. I am going to attempt to spoof the RAV4 EV into thinking it still has the NIMH pack.
The leaf pack looks like it will be content to operate independently,
First step is to get both the pack and charger working independent of the VCM and the rest of the car.

Any insights in how to communicate with the charger appreciated.


Thanks Peter
 
IskeSoderlund said:
If anyone wants my codes for the program or help with making the charger "think" its in a leaf just contact me!

I would like to get a copy of your code, the forum will not let me message you as I am new on the forum perhaps you can send me a pm.

I am trying to get a PDM from a 2015 leaf to run stand alone with an original battery pack for a 2002 RAV4 EV.
I just posted the details any help appreciated.
With thanks, Peter
 
Any success with this seems like a few people have tried and stalled. I am just starting on project I have wrecked car and a functioning car to play with.
Perhaps thi work should be a new thread.
[/quote]

I'm trying to start the charger. On a block of charges, the LED indicates that the charge is running, but there is no current on the batteries. Do you have success?
[/quote]
 
NiallDarwin said:
Tremelune said:
Jimma Hanna's video on getting the DC-DC converter working: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMhcHkOg-Mk
@Tremelune Broken Link! Any chance its still up but moved?

I think I found the video inside another very long one
This link jumps to his part: https://youtu.be/ipEzK1yzxHY?t=6424
 
celeron55 said:
Nice!

I predict this to be a bit more difficult than the inverter, but we'll see.

Hi Celeron55, did you have any further success with the charger.

I have started a thread here : https://mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=579472#p579446

Let me know or chime in on the thread if you can.

I an going to be hooking up all the modules VCM, BCM, PDM that I have removed for the wrecked leaf. I do not have a working inverter and the BMS is still in the pack. I am going to monitor the EVCAN System bus while trying to initiate a charge. So far I have only run the PDM stand alone it sends a couple of messages repeatedly when i plug in the charger and that is it. I guess it is waiting for a response from another system.
 
Hi everyone,

Is somebody working on a 2020 leaf? I just started to work on it yesterday using the dbc file done by Dala. I am plugged on the HV CAN somewhere in a connector (nothing execpt on request on the OBDII). I have already found and corrected some differences between the older version and the new version, but if somebody already works on it, it could be fine to share our constatations.

Thanks,

Capov
 
I'm not working on a gen5 (62kWh) Leaf as I have no access to any, but we are trying to fix a few lingering DTCs in a gen5 pack for which a few EV-CAN traces from a functional 2020 Leaf would be helpful. If you're willing to share, I'm all ears!
 
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