J2534

J2534 refers to a standard defined by SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) for automotive diagnostic interface hardware. This standard specifies the requirements for a vehicle communication interface (VCI) device that allows diagnostic tools to communicate with a vehicle's electronic control units (ECUs). The primary goal of the J2534 standard is to promote interoperability between different diagnostic software applications and hardware interfaces, enabling technicians to use a single hardware device with various software packages from different manufacturers.

The J2534 standard defines a set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that diagnostic software uses to send and receive data to and from the vehicle. This includes functionalities for reading and writing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), accessing sensor data, performing actuator tests, and reprogramming ECUs. There are two main modes defined: J2534-1, which is primarily for reprogramming ECUs, and J2534-2, which expands on the capabilities for general diagnostics.

Compliance with the J2534 standard is often required by automotive manufacturers for aftermarket diagnostic tools and for emissions testing equipment, particularly in regions with stringent emissions regulations. This allows for a more standardized and cost-effective approach to vehicle diagnostics and maintenance, as a single J2534-compliant interface can be used across a wide range of vehicle makes and models, rather than requiring specialized hardware for each manufacturer.