Post 1996 cars with canbus ?

1225 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by zepol_wube, Dec 10, 2021

DIGGER11

Discussion Starter · Dec 4, 2021

Hi,
I have a 2003 VW Golf with an expired engine that I am thinking of converting to electric.
However I read that converting a car later than 1996 and you might run into canbus issues.
Can anyone elaborate on this ? Would it be a problem for the conversion of my Golf ?
thks
Digger

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1 - 9 of 9 Posts

remy_martian

· #2 · Dec 4, 2021

The check engine light might turn on if you remove the engine 😬

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DIGGER11

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 4, 2021

remy_martian said:
The check engine light might turn on if you remove the engine 😬

Hi Remy,

You are a fuckwit.
Cheers
Digger

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Reactions: 3

Electric Land Cruiser

· #4 · Dec 4, 2021

DIGGER11 said:
Hi,
I have a 2003 VW Golf with an expired engine that I am thinking of converting to electric.
However I read that converting a car later than 1996 and you might run into canbus issues.
Can anyone elaborate on this ? Would it be a problem for the conversion of my Golf ?
thks
Digger

CAN-bus can cause you headaches for some things. For instance if you remove the engine and ECU then the CAN will be missing those messages and possibly would cause a cascade of failures in other systems like ABS or even door locks, HVAC, and windows depending on the make and model.

I'm guessing that your '03 Golf does not have a CAN, just a hunch I haven't even googled it for 5 seconds.

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remy_martian

· #5 · Dec 4, 2021

It has OBD-II.

That doesn't mean that accessories run by CAN messaging, which is THE pain in the azz (there should be laws requiring the publication of the messages to control these accessories) in a conversion, as has been noted. In 2003, that was rare in most cars.

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mpgMike

· #6 · Dec 4, 2021

I had given that thought as well. My buddy wants to do EV and hybrid conversions in his shop. I'm his electronics guy. I know if you focus on a specific vehicle, and happen to be able to write code to interface the CAN, it is doable. However, if you have to replicate the process on anything and everything, it starts sounding like a whole lot of work. Another consideration is that some areas don't require regular inspections where they check the OBD II for codes and readiness monitors. Other areas do. It would probably have to prevent the triggering of DTCs.

To open a different can of worms, a controller that just works with the windows, tail light module, and so forth might be a marketable stand-alone!?! It would also have to be able to respond to an OBD II diagnostic tool. Good news is that newer vehicles are required to respond with the J1850 protocol, even if they prefer using some sort of CAN protocol. The goal is specifically getting everything functional, and communicating with an OBD II scan tool. I'm now subscribed!

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mons2b

· #7 · Dec 5, 2021

DIGGER11 said:
Hi Remy,

You are a fuckwit.
Cheers
Digger

Agreed.

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mons2b

· #8 · Dec 5, 2021

DIGGER11 said:
Hi,
I have a 2003 VW Golf with an expired engine that I am thinking of converting to electric.
However I read that converting a car later than 1996 and you might run into canbus issues.
Can anyone elaborate on this ? Would it be a problem for the conversion of my Golf ?
thks
Digger

Hi Digger. Some of the rocket scientists get all clever with Arduino and sniff the data packets from the ice engine etc etc. All sounds like a miserable headache to me. I have seen more simple success with just removing the engine but keeping all electric boxes where they are. Ie the ECM. Then you can limit yourself to fooling some of the more critical sensor inputs such as the camshaft sensor. Youll get a few indicator lights up but the key ones to avoid are airbag and Abs. I dont think many inspectors in various countries will care if your have check engine, catalytic converter fault lights glowing on your dash. This is my opinion and what I would try if I was doing a can bus car.

I hope this helps.

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