Audi A5, or possibly other models: This is how I get my hands on these buses...

Hello CAN-Hacker,

I thought that after all the questions, I would also post an answer .
On an Audi, A5 model series, I've been digging around and identified the CAN gateway connector on the right side of the dashboard, which allows me to access CAN comfort, CAN combination instrument, and CAN infotainment (which is empty on these vehicles, as it uses MOST). At least that's something . I've also already identified some IDs, such as date/time, speed, seat adjustment, and VIN/FIN (CAN comfort). Next, I'll be moving on to the CAN combination instrument, let's see what else can be discovered there... I would be happy to "exchange" interesting IDs and experiences, especially related to this specific model series, with others.

Does anyone know if this connector (i.e., unmodified) is included in multiple Audi models besides the A5 series?

Attached is a picture of my modified CAN connector. This is a "replica" from Audi, costing a few euros, not the original .

Regards,
Rolf.

Hello,
Okay, as far as I know, the A4 B6/B7 models also have CAN nodes on the left and right sides of the A-pillar, but the cables there are only crimped together and there are no connectors.

Greetings.
Jens.

Hello,

That would also interest me.

Are there any updates yet?

Hello,

Yes, it has been continuously progressing since then. However, I kept the connector plug, so I didn't look for an alternative location, because it's so convenient to have the plug readily accessible on the right side of the dashboard.
I now also have the door positions (open/closed) for both the driver's door and the passenger door. I don't have a complete list because it would be too time-consuming to sniff day and night.

Regards,
Rolf.

HI!

Can you also access the CAN drive with that?

VG

I'm accessing the motor CAN bus, but I'm no longer sure if this is the one referred to as the CAN drive. He has a speed of 500 kbit/s, and he's overflowing with joy, which has made sniffing difficult for me on several occasions , meaning he's transmitting a lot of data.

The A5 has a CAN bus connector on the passenger side. You can buy a new one and drill it (I wouldn't want to do that with the original one). When sniffing network traffic, it's best to operate passively, meaning you shouldn't send any ACKs, even though it might not cause any real harm.

Regards,
Rolf.

Hi Rolf!

According to Elsa, there is no CAN drive present, but 500 kb/s seems to be the speed of the CAN drive.

Do you perhaps have a picture of your drilling site? Okay, so which pins do I need for that?
Do you perhaps have a trace of the activity on the BUS?


Thank you .

Hi,

I have traces from all the buses. However, on the A5 (and possibly also the A4), the cameras should be located on the side of the bus (either the passenger side or the driver's side) and mounted on the dashboard (requiring the opening of a flap). What are you looking for?

Regards,
Rolf.

Hello Ulli!
Please send me a private message; I'm unable to send you one.
Best regards,

Hi rowi,

As I see, you have the complete trace data for the Audi A5... (Possibly also for other Audis with a folding side mirror?).
Would you mind sending me the logs from the high beam assist system? I have 5-6 Audis in the area, but all of them are missing the mirror .

In a way, the CAN IDs would come from the mirror and the gateway. And possibly also from the steering column lever. I hope I haven't missed anything.
If necessary, I would manually search for the IDs within the entire list.

Main thing is that you would be so kind and send them to me .

Thank you in advance.

BG
Jack.

Since the last entry in the thread is quite old, and the previously convenient method of accessing the bus via the CAN connector is no longer possible on current models (e.g., A3 8V, A6 4G FL) because the connectors are no longer installed (likely for cost reasons), I'm interested in knowing how and where you are accessing the individual buses on current models.

We simply connect to the CAN cables and try to create the shortest possible connections. However, with 100 or 500k, that's not a major issue. The knot connector has been very useful.

Okay, what method do you think is best for dealing with a cable issue without risking voiding the warranty or other potential problems? Power thieves?

Power thieves are only useful to a limited extent. If they are to be used, they must be very high quality. Soldering or crimping is still the best way to make a connection. At some point, the fear of tampering with the cables is overcome .

Okay, it seems like I haven't quite reached the point where I've overcome my shyness...

So, if I'm going to solder, crimp, or otherwise connect a branch to the bus lines to tap into them, do I need to terminate that branch with terminating resistors when the RKS adapter is not connected, or can the ends be left "open"?

You can leave them open. It doesn't change anything about the termination resistors. Also, please don't add any resistors to the end devices. The bus needs to be terminated, not the devices themselves. While these "antennas" aren't great from a high-frequency perspective, they are acceptable at the low frequencies involved.

You might be able to access the connectors directly, but often they are special plugs, and it's a tedious and fiddly process to disconnect them. I'm really happy with this CAN connector.