{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"347: Module Bench Testing ","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/347-module-bench-testing","audioUrl":"https://www.buzzsprout.com/809423/episodes/18999808-347-module-bench-testing.mp3","description":"This week on the show I share some tips and tricks on bench testing control modules as a diagnostic method. See the link below for the bench harness mentioned in the show. https://autorescuetools.com/products/obd2-to-ecu-bench-harness?_pos=1&_sid=eeef572b4&_ss=rWebsite- https://autodiagpodcast.com/Facebook Group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/223994012068320/YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@automotivediagnosticpodcas8832Email- STmobilediag@gmail.comPlease make sure to check out our sponsors!SJ Auto Solutions- https://sjautosolutions.com/Automotive Seminars- https://automotiveseminars.com/L1 Automotive Training- https://www.l1training.com/Autorescue tools- https://autorescuetools.com/  "},"annotations":[{"startTime":26.7,"endTime":44.6,"type":"concept","title":"used control module","url":"/glossary/used-control-module","quote":"...sourcing, installing, and programming a used control module in a vehicle? I know a lot of us have. It seems to be happening more and more often today...","canonicalId":"concept:used-control-module","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A used control module is a previously owned electronic unit (often ECU/BCM/TCM-style) that’s installed to replace a failed module. Because many modules are vehicle-specific, used parts often require programming or configuration so the car recognizes them.","simplifiedExplanation":"Sometimes a car’s computer module fails and the new one is too expensive or hard to find. People buy a used one, but the car usually needs it to be set up so it works correctly."}},{"startTime":26.7,"endTime":39.1,"type":"concept","title":"programming","url":"/glossary/programming","quote":"...sourcing, installing, and programming a used control module in a vehicle? I know a lot of us have.","canonicalId":"concept:programming","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Programming is the process of writing software/calibration data and configuring a control module so it matches the vehicle. Depending on the module, this can include security alignment, VIN/ID data, and enabling the correct functions.","simplifiedExplanation":"Programming is how you “set up” a used car computer so it matches your specific vehicle. Without it, the module may not communicate or may not work properly."}},{"startTime":51.3,"endTime":95.5,"type":"company","title":"SJ Auto Solutions","url":"/glossary/sj-auto-solutions","quote":"I strongly recommend checking out SJ Auto Solutions and Tommy Oliva... So make sure to check out SJ Auto Solutions.","canonicalId":"company:sj-auto-solutions","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"SJ Auto Solutions is referenced as a resource for used control module services, including programming/cloning support. For listeners, it’s a named example of a specialist that can help when OEM parts are expensive or unavailable.","simplifiedExplanation":"SJ Auto Solutions is mentioned as a company that helps with used car computer modules. If you’re stuck finding or setting up a replacement, they’re presented as a place to get help."}},{"startTime":51.3,"endTime":95.5,"type":"company","title":"Tommy Oliva","url":"/glossary/tommy-oliva","quote":"...checking out SJ Auto Solutions and Tommy Oliva. Tommy offers a cloning service for used control modules...","canonicalId":"company:tommy-oliva","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Tommy Oliva is mentioned as the provider of a cloning service for used control modules and as a source of tech support and free resources. The episode frames this as a practical workflow for making used modules work in specific applications.","simplifiedExplanation":"Tommy Oliva is mentioned as the person offering cloning and support for used car computer modules. The idea is to help you get the replacement working correctly."}},{"startTime":122.1,"endTime":129.0,"type":"concept","title":"bench testing control modules","url":"/glossary/bench-testing-control-modules","quote":"...what I'm going to be talking about this week is bench testing control modules that is connecting to the module on the bench away from the car, how to do it, why it's useful...","canonicalId":"concept:bench-testing-control-modules","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Bench testing is diagnosing and verifying a control module while it’s powered and connected outside the vehicle. It helps confirm the module can power up, communicate, and run functions before you install it, reducing misdiagnosis.","simplifiedExplanation":"Bench testing means checking the car’s computer on a workbench instead of in the car. It helps you confirm it’s actually working before you waste time or money installing it."}},{"startTime":180.7,"endTime":205.4,"type":"concept","title":"condemning a control module","url":"/glossary/condemning-a-control-module","quote":"It splits the direction that you're going to go. It eliminates half of the problem so that you can go after the right thing. And sometimes we need that. Sometimes that actually is really helpful... Like what are all the steps in order to successfully say the problems in the module needs to be replaced or the problem is on the car, right?","canonicalId":"concept:condemning-a-control-module","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Condemning” a control module means determining it has failed and should be replaced, rather than chasing a wiring, sensor, or power/ground issue. In diagnostics, this is a decision point that prevents unnecessary parts swapping.","simplifiedExplanation":"When a mechanic says a module is “bad,” they mean it’s the part that’s actually broken. The goal is to prove it’s the module, not a wiring problem or a sensor problem, before replacing it."}},{"startTime":305.0,"endTime":318.5,"type":"concept","title":"adding circuits in one at a time","url":"/glossary/adding-circuits-in-one-at-a-time","quote":"And then adding circuits in one at a time until, oh, okay, this caused the BCM to wake up when I add in this circuit. And that one I kind of did by connector. So I would unplug one connector at a time.","canonicalId":"concept:adding-circuits-in-one-at-a-time","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Adding circuits one at a time is an isolation strategy: you reintroduce external wiring/circuit connections incrementally to see which specific circuit causes the module to wake or behave incorrectly. This is especially useful when multiple circuits could be responsible.","simplifiedExplanation":"They reconnect the car’s wiring a little at a time to see which connection makes the problem come back. When the problem returns, you’ve found the likely culprit circuit."}},{"startTime":312.2,"endTime":318.5,"type":"concept","title":"unplug one connector at a time","url":"/glossary/unplug-one-connector-at-a-time","quote":"...And that one I kind of did by connector. So I would unplug one connector at a time. So there's variations of this that you could take.","canonicalId":"concept:unplug-one-connector-at-a-time","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Unplugging connectors one at a time is a practical diagnostic method to identify which harness branch or subsystem is responsible for a fault. It’s commonly used for parasitic draw and module wake-up problems because it quickly narrows the search space.","simplifiedExplanation":"They remove connectors one by one to see which connection is causing the battery drain or wake-up. The goal is to find the specific part of the wiring that triggers the issue."}},{"startTime":335.3,"endTime":341.6,"type":"term","title":"cornering light assemblies","url":"/glossary/cornering-light-assemblies","quote":"there was a circuit that went to one of the cornering light assemblies that had been replaced with an aftermarket unit.","canonicalId":"term:cornering-light-assemblies","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Cornering light assemblies are the headlamp components that provide additional illumination when turning. Because they’re electrical loads with specific resistance/behavior, replacing them with aftermarket units can affect diagnostic circuits like bulb-outage detection and trigger network wake-up or fault logic.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cornering lights are the lights that help illuminate the road when you turn. If an aftermarket replacement doesn’t match the original electrical behavior, the car may detect a “bulb out” condition and cause other issues."}},{"startTime":360.3,"endTime":375.0,"type":"concept","title":"chuck a part at it","url":"/glossary/chuck-a-part-at-it","quote":"Now, yeah, you could chuck a part at it. But we all know sometimes these modules are hard to get. Maybe they're expensive.","canonicalId":"concept:chuck-a-part-at-it","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Chucking a part at it” refers to replacing components without confirming the root cause. It’s a common diagnostic pitfall because modules can be expensive and sometimes hard to source, and the real fault may be in wiring, sensors, or circuit interactions instead.","simplifiedExplanation":"This means guessing and replacing parts without testing first. It can waste money and time, especially if the expensive part isn’t actually the problem."}},{"startTime":408.8,"endTime":420.2,"type":"concept","title":"networked modules","url":"/glossary/networked-modules","quote":"modules exist on a network in most cases, they rely on a lot of other circuits to actually run the functions that they need to...","canonicalId":"concept:networked-modules","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Many modules operate on a vehicle network and depend on other circuits/modules for inputs, power states, and signals. That’s why some faults are hard to reproduce on a bench—because the module may need realistic inputs/outputs to behave correctly.","simplifiedExplanation":"Modern cars have lots of computers that work together. On a bench you may not have all the other signals the module expects, so you have to recreate them to test properly."}},{"startTime":509.4,"endTime":516.4,"type":"company","title":"auto rescue tools","url":"/glossary/auto-rescue-tools","quote":"...I'll put a link in the show notes, auto rescue tools has a really simple but effective bench harness.","canonicalId":"company:auto-rescue-tools","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Auto Rescue Tools is mentioned as a source for a bench test harness. The key takeaway is that their harness design is described as simple and effective for connecting to modules via an OBD2-based breakout.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re a company the host recommends for a bench testing harness. The important part is that the harness makes it easier to connect power, ground, and data wires to a module on your workbench."}},{"startTime":562.2,"endTime":576.6,"type":"term","title":"terminating resistors","url":"/glossary/terminating-resistors","quote":"...comes with a couple terminating resistors, we'll touch on that.","canonicalId":"term:terminating-resistors","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Terminating resistors are used on CAN networks to match the bus impedance and prevent signal reflections. Some bench harnesses include them so the CAN bus behaves correctly even when the module is tested outside the vehicle.","simplifiedExplanation":"On the CAN data network, resistors help the signal stay clean and stable. If you’re testing on a bench, you may need termination so the data communication works properly."}},{"startTime":603.4,"endTime":617.6,"type":"company","title":"Go Diag","url":"/glossary/go-diag","quote":"...there's some other breakout boxes like the Go Diag that you can use, but I've been told by people that the LEDs...can affect programming.","canonicalId":"company:go-diag","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Go Diag is referenced as an alternative breakout box for bench testing. The host cautions that the LEDs in its breakout box portion can affect programming reliability, implying the harness’s internal electronics may interfere with module programming.","simplifiedExplanation":"Go Diag is another device people use to break out the OBD2 connections for bench testing. The host says its built-in lights (LEDs) might interfere with programming, so it may not be ideal if you’re trying to reflash modules."}},{"startTime":633.6,"endTime":639.4,"type":"term","title":"pinout","url":"/glossary/pin-out","quote":"Now, you're going to need a diagram and a pinout in order to find the connections to the module you need.","canonicalId":"term:pin-out","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A pinout is the map of which connector pins correspond to functions like power, ground, and communication lines. For bench testing, the pinout is critical because misidentifying pins can prevent communication or damage the module."}},{"startTime":692.2,"endTime":706.1,"type":"concept","title":"body network","url":"/glossary/body-network","quote":"typically what I have found this is over like body network of some sort. But you'll see these, we're looking at the diagram for the module...","canonicalId":"concept:body-network","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Body network” refers to the vehicle’s communication segment that connects body-related modules (comfort, lighting, etc.). The host notes that wake-up requirements for bench communication are often tied to this network behavior."}},{"startTime":779.5,"endTime":788.6,"type":"term","title":"drivability diagnostics","url":"/glossary/drivability-diagnostics","quote":"If you're looking for education on module programming, J 25 34, E Prom work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L one training dot com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more.","canonicalId":"term:drivability-diagnostics","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Drivability diagnostics are troubleshooting methods focused on symptoms like rough idle, hesitation, stalling, misfires, or poor throttle response. They typically combine scan data, sensor/actuator testing, and logic checks to isolate the root cause.","simplifiedExplanation":"Drivability diagnostics means figuring out why the car doesn’t run smoothly—like stalling, hesitation, or rough running. It uses scan tool data and electrical tests to find the problem."}},{"startTime":779.5,"endTime":788.6,"type":"term","title":"electrical diagnostics","url":"/glossary/electrical-diagnostics","quote":"If you're looking for education on module programming, J 25 34, E Prom work, key in a mobilizer, electrical diagnostics or drivability diagnostics, Keith has a website L one training dot com that's got over 60 hours of training videos on all those subjects and more.","canonicalId":"term:electrical-diagnostics","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Electrical diagnostics are tests that verify wiring, power/ground integrity, and component operation using tools like multimeters, test lights, and scan data. In module bench testing, electrical diagnostics help confirm the module is receiving the correct signals to wake and communicate.","simplifiedExplanation":"Electrical diagnostics means checking the car’s wiring and electrical signals to find faults. It helps confirm the module is getting power and communicating correctly."}},{"startTime":841.9,"endTime":851.4,"type":"term","title":"scan tool","url":"/glossary/scan-tool","quote":"What I'll do is I'll try to catch it and you have to time it right. But you're doing the connect to module and your scan tool, like right as you're booting that thing up.","canonicalId":"term:scan-tool","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A scan tool (diagnostic tool) communicates with the car’s modules over the vehicle’s diagnostic network. It’s used to read data, run tests, and often to initiate programming or communication sessions.","simplifiedExplanation":"A scan tool is the device you plug into the car to talk to its computers. It can read trouble codes and help with programming and diagnostics."}},{"startTime":871.6,"endTime":877.3,"type":"term","title":"powered up test light","url":"/glossary/powered-up-test-light","quote":"The other things you can do here, actually, on that note, the other thing I found works on some not all is if you take a powered up test light and you touch it to the network pins on the module, it may actually wake up and start talking from that to because it sees at least something on that boss and it's like, Hey, somebody's talking what's going on.","canonicalId":"term:powered-up-test-light","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A powered test light is a simple electrical probe used to check for voltage/presence of power on circuits. Here it’s being used as a practical wake-up/trigger tool by touching it to network pins to see if the module responds.","simplifiedExplanation":"A test light is a basic tool that checks whether electricity is present on a wire. In this episode, they’re using it in a clever way to try to wake the module up."}},{"startTime":910.5,"endTime":921.2,"type":"term","title":"12 volt feed","url":"/glossary/12-volt-feed","quote":"But lots and lots and lots of modules you can talk, especially the ones that use a dedicated ignition, wake up like 12 volt feed. If you've got that, you're probably going to be able to talk to this on the bench.","canonicalId":"term:12-volt-feed","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “12 volt feed” is a dedicated switched or constant 12V power supply used to power or wake certain modules. The speaker suggests modules with a dedicated ignition/wake 12V input are more likely to communicate on the bench."}},{"startTime":926.84,"endTime":943.5,"type":"term","title":"OBD two port","url":"/glossary/obd-two-port","quote":"module talk to or talk on normally? And how does that link up to the OBD two port in the car, right? Because your scan tool is going to be connected to the OBD two port in the car.","canonicalId":"term:obd-two-port","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"OBD-II (often said as “OBD two”) is the standardized diagnostic connector in most cars. Your scan tool plugs into it to communicate with the vehicle’s control modules over the car’s data networks.","simplifiedExplanation":"OBD-II is the diagnostic plug in the car. Your scan tool uses it to talk to the car’s computers and read codes or live data."}},{"startTime":1003.7,"endTime":1016.1,"type":"brand","title":"Chrysler","url":"/glossary/chrysler","quote":"So Chrysler, for instance, if you have an actual secure gateway module, your scan tool is talking to that and then it's translating messages from the modules.","canonicalId":"brand:chrysler","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Chrysler is used here as an example of a manufacturer that uses a secure gateway module to route messages between networks. The point is that even with a gateway, the underlying high-speed CAN protocol may still be accessible for bench communication.","simplifiedExplanation":"Chrysler is mentioned as an example of how some cars route messages through a gateway. Even then, you can often still communicate on the main high-speed network."}},{"startTime":1016.1,"endTime":1027.8,"type":"term","title":"medium speed can","url":"/glossary/medium-speed-can","quote":"Now there are medium speed cans and body cans, and you may run into limitations there as well.","canonicalId":"term:medium-speed-can","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Medium-speed CAN is another CAN network variant used for less time-critical communication than high-speed CAN. The speaker warns that limitations can appear depending on which bus the module is actually connected to.","simplifiedExplanation":"Medium-speed CAN is a slower car communication network than the high-speed one. Some modules on it may not be as directly reachable from your scan tool."}},{"startTime":1022.8,"endTime":1027.8,"type":"term","title":"body can","url":"/glossary/body-can","quote":"Now there are medium speed cans and body cans, and you may run into limitations there as well.","canonicalId":"term:body-can","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Body CAN refers to the CAN network used for body-related functions (comfort, lighting, convenience modules, etc.). In diagnostics, it can be harder to access directly from the scan tool depending on gateways and routing."}},{"startTime":1071.18,"endTime":1075.7,"type":"term","title":"bench top power source","url":"/glossary/bench-top-power-source","quote":"bench top power source, if you're going to be doing any bench work with modules, because it's\n[1075.7s]  nice to be able to dial the voltage and again, read the amperage that the module is taking.","canonicalId":"term:bench-top-power-source","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A bench top power supply lets you power a module outside the car in a controlled way. You can set the voltage and monitor current draw to see whether the module is actually powering up.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is a power supply you use on your workbench. It lets you set the voltage and watch how much current the module uses, so you can tell if it’s alive before you troubleshoot further."}},{"startTime":1123.6,"endTime":1145.6,"type":"term","title":"milliamp range","url":"/glossary/milliamp-range","quote":"Usually what I see modules are going to\n[1123.6s]  be somewhere in the like two to 400 milliamp range when they're just on, not running any functions\n[1129.8s]  or anything like that. But just on, they're awake.","canonicalId":"term:milliamp-range","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Current draw in the milliamp range is often used as a quick “sanity check” for whether a module is awake/ready. The speaker notes typical values (and that zero or near-zero draw is a red flag), which helps triage failed modules vs wiring issues.","simplifiedExplanation":"When a module is powered but not doing anything, it usually still uses a small amount of current. If it uses almost none (or none at all), it may be dead or not wired correctly."}},{"startTime":1236.1,"endTime":1244.3,"type":"concept","title":"CAN bus","url":"/glossary/can-bus","quote":"One other note on the can bus side of things, if you're connecting to a module and it's using can bus, you are going to need to know if that module contains a terminating resistor or not.","canonicalId":"concept:can-bus","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"CAN bus (Controller Area Network) is the vehicle’s communication network that lets modules exchange data over two wires. When bench testing, you must replicate the network conditions (including termination) so the module can communicate reliably.","simplifiedExplanation":"CAN bus is the car’s internal communication system between computers. On a bench, you have to set up the network correctly so the module can “hear” and “talk” like it would in the car."}},{"startTime":1271.6,"endTime":1317.9,"type":"concept","title":"bench harness","url":"/glossary/bench-harness","quote":"So how would you do that bench harness that I mentioned, you'll have two extra pins, because there's a two can high to candle and the pin the female pins are different sizes.","canonicalId":"concept:bench-harness","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A bench harness is a custom wiring adapter used to power and connect a module to the correct signals (including CAN) while it’s removed from the vehicle. It often includes breakout connections so you can add termination resistors or connect to different modules safely.","simplifiedExplanation":"A bench harness is a wiring setup that lets you test a car module outside the car. It provides the right connections—like power and network wires—so your tools can communicate with it."}},{"startTime":1300.2,"endTime":1306.6,"type":"concept","title":"breakout box","url":"/glossary/breakout-box","quote":"you could use the actual ports on the breakout box itself and just connect up a resistor, you can even make your own with, you know, nano jack ends and connect it up that way","canonicalId":"concept:breakout-box","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A breakout box is an interface that exposes individual module pins and network connections so you can connect test equipment and add components like termination resistors. It simplifies bench wiring by providing accessible ports rather than hardwiring everything.","simplifiedExplanation":"A breakout box is a connector interface that makes it easier to reach the module’s pins. It helps you plug in tools and add things like a resistor without messy wiring."}},{"startTime":1422.9,"endTime":1427.7,"type":"concept","title":"completely dead module","url":"/glossary/completely-dead-module","quote":"looking at the amount of amperage that module is drawing on the bench and saying, oh, and this would be the case of a completely dead module in the car, right? But if it's turning on, it's doing something, okay, I have to reconsider","canonicalId":"concept:completely-dead-module","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “completely dead module” is a module that shows no meaningful power-up behavior—often reflected by near-zero current draw and lack of communication. Distinguishing this from a module that powers up but fails specific functions is a key diagnostic step."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Sean Tipping","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/347-module-bench-testing/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}