CAN Setup

A guide for connecting CAN-based devices to your Link ECU.  We’ll use a Link Aim Strada dash and a Link CAN Lambda unit as examples. 

The first step is to physically connect the wiring. Power from a clean (preferably dedicated) switched 12-volt source. Ground ideally direct to the battery. CAN H to CAN H and CAN L to CAN L.

Your ECU model will determine your options for making the CAN connection(s) to your ECU:

Next up is the software setup. In PCLink software, click ECU Controls > CAN Setup. Once there, select CAN Module 1 or 2 – whichever you’ve wired your device(s) to. To the right of that, under “Mode”, use the drop-down to choose “User Defined.”  To the right of that, under “Bit Rate,” choose 1mbit/s.  And in this example, we’ll leave “OBD” alone.  Moving down, under “Data,” click on Channel 1.  To the right of that, under “Mode,” use the drop-down to choose “Transmit Link AIM MXS Strada Dash” stream. Alternatively, this is where you would also choose “Link CAN-Lambda”. CAN ID for a dash is 1000. CAN ID for the CAN Lambda is 950. Format “Normal.” Click “Apply.” Click “OK.” Click F4 to Store your settings to the ECU. 

PCLink software does not use any hidden, canned, or proprietary CAN streams. Transmit and receive channels can be completely user-configured which makes your Link ECU compatible with almost any CAN-based device.