OBD-EnET Cable Build - Detailed Instructions

ENET CABLE BUILD
These are my instructions for putting together an Ethernet to OBD2 cable to change
features on your F-Series vehicle using E-Sys, Toolset32, ISTA P/D or other BMW
programming tool. You can build yours any way you like but this is how I do it.
These are the tools I use to make my cables. The only specialty tool is the network
cable crimper. I'm using a simple and cheap multimeter to show that you don't need
anything special to test your cable. The only thing missing from the picture is the OBD2
connector.
First I test the

resistor to make sure
it doesn't fluctuate all
over the place. So
long as it sits stable
between 506 and
560 ohms you are
set.
I use 510 ohm, 1/4

watt resistors, but
other people have
used 560 ohm, 1/4
watt resistors and
been perfectly fine.
Next put on the RJ-45 boot and OBD2
connector cable protector. You don't
want to crimp the RJ-45 or solder your
OBD2 connector only to find out you
forgot to put these on the cable first.
Next I prepare the OBD2 connector. The connector on the right is how I receive them
from China. I then add more solder to the individual pins by tinning each one (left
connector). You can also see that there are numbers on the connector. This makes
determining what pins your working with pretty much idiot proof. You could also feed
the wires through the holes in the board and solder them to the pins on the other side. I
don't do this because it's not as simple a process as soldering directly to the pins here.
This shows the wires we're going to be
using to connect to the OBD2 connector. In
this instance we're using CAT5e cabling
and I've already completed the tinning of
the wires. You shouldn't strip very much
casing off the wires. I cut the unused wires
at differing lengths to prevent shorting.
The wiring steps are:
White with Green Stripe - Pin 3
Brown - Bridges Pins 4&5
Green - Pin 11
White with Orange Stripe - Pin 12
Orange - Pin 13
I think the important thing is not to get wrapped up in the coloring. So long as you get
the same wires connected between the OBD2 and RJ-45 you'll be OK.
Here's the RJ-45 side. You'll insert the

wires into the RJ-45 with it positioned like it
is in the picture.
The wiring steps are:
White with Green Stripe - Pin 1 (Left Side)
Green - Pin 2
White with Orange Stripe - Pin 3
Blue - Pin 4 (Unused)
White with Blue Stripe - Pin 5 (Unused)
Orange - Pin 6
White with Brown Stripe - Pin 7 (Right Side)
Brown - Left out of connector (See next

picture)
Here the wires are threaded into the RJ-45 but not crimped yet. You can see the brown
wire sitting outside of the connector. We'll use this wire to ground the OBD2 connector
to the shielded RJ-45, which in turn will ground to the NIC casing and frame of your
computer or laptop. Many people ignore this step and their cables function just fine. I
just wanted to be sure I followed the schematic as closely as I can.
Here's the completed RJ-45. The brown wire is soldered to the shielded casing of the
RJ-45 and ready to be covered by the connector boot.
On to the OBD2 connector now. This is
where the bulk of your soldering will be.
You shouldn't worry about your soldering
skills because no one else is going to see
your work. That and its going to be
covered by the casing of the OBD2
connector.
I've soldered on the 510 ohm, 1/4 watt

resistor to connect pins 8 and 16 together.
That was easy!
Here's the brown (pins 4 & 5)

and white with green striped
wire (pin 3) soldered.
They are connected on the RJ-

45 side to the metal casing and
pin 1 respectively.
Alright, we're almost there.
Here's the Green (pin 11), white
with orange stripe (pin 12) and
orange (pin 13) soldered.
They are connected on the RJ-

45 side to pin 2, pin 3 and pin 6
respectively.
Large picture of all the connections on the OBD2 connector side. I always add
additional solder to the connections after initially connecting them to be sure there's no
way they will disconnect from everyday use. All you need to do now is use your
multimeter to make sure you have good continuity in the wires between the OBD2
connector and RJ-45; and that the resistor is registering the correct ohm reading. See
that was easy!
Last but not least here's the finished connectors.
My final information is parts locations.
I get my resistors from a local electronics supply store, but you can get them from
Radio Shack if you are in a bind. They are a standard resistor and are readily available
in the US. If you are in Europe you should be able to source the 511 ohm, .6 watt
resistors the schematic lists fairly easily. Since 510 and 560 ohm, 1/4 watt units work
and I can get them by driving 15 minutes, that's what I use.
The shielded RJ-45s come from an online supplier. You can buy them in lots as small
as 10 one eBay as well. You could also use a standard non metal cased jack. I
exclusively use shielded jacks in the network cables I build so it's an easy choice for
me.
Finally, I get my OBD2 connectors from China through sellers on eBay. You are
looking for a male connector. I haven't had any quality problems with the connectors
I've received but the shipping can take a while so be sure to take this into account.
Do an eBay Search for: Universal OBD2 connector
I'd post a link but they don't last for long after an auction ends, so it would be a waste of
time.
OK, good luck. I hope this helps you build your cable.

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ENET CABLE BUILD

First I test the

I use 510 ohm, 1/4

The wiring steps are:

White with Green Stripe - Pin 3

Brown - Bridges Pins 4&5

White with Orange Stripe - Pin 12

Here's the RJ-45 side. You'll insert the

The wiring steps are:

White with Green Stripe - Pin 1 (Left Side)

White with Orange Stripe - Pin 3

Blue - Pin 4 (Unused)

White with Blue Stripe - Pin 5 (Unused)

White with Brown Stripe - Pin 7 (Right Side)

Brown - Left out of connector (See next

I've soldered on the 510 ohm, 1/4 watt

Here's the brown (pins 4 & 5)

They are connected on the RJ-

They are connected on the RJ-

My final information is parts locations.

Do an eBay Search for: Universal OBD2 connector

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