How to use K+DCAN cable switch with Pin 7 & 8

Here, I will chip in with a few words of the reason why you should have Pin 7 and Pin 8 on your K+Dcan cable and how to use the switch mode

Connection by soldering is a bad option as it limits the usefulness of the interface, I have an adapter but consider a switch to be a better option

With these K+DCAN cables there are two subtle different versions, one with pin 8 enabled, one with it disabled. The one with it disabled is ideal for e90 newer than 03/07 & that era, these leads often come with a black adapter to re-enable the pin 8 (by just tying it to pin 9) so it will also be suitable for e46/e39/e63 etc. The ones with pin 8 active are just older versions of the cable. Worst cast scenario you just need to modify the cable & stuck a switch on it to toggle pin 8 on/off as needed.

The reasons being that on DCAN cars one pin is used for a ethernet connection and the other to the K data line – on K line cars, both pins are connected to K data lines and that creating a switch mode circuit would cost more than the interface is worth. The 2 most sensible options are both hardware-related:-

– Use an adapter (such as the one sold by One Stop electronics) which internally bridges pins 7 & 8 or…

– Mount a small switch on the OBD plug end of your adapter, which can bridge (for K line) or separate (for DCAN) the connection between pins 7 & 8.

As soon as you connect the interface to the car and your computer, run DCAN.exe to configure the comms rate. I have only used the K+DCAN interface with DCAN cars.

Fyi, You only need to run DCAN.exe when you are switching between modes. If you run it the first time you connect to a DCAN car, your computer will retain the settings.

Switch K+D CAN adapter between K and D CAN protocols for use, depends on the car that is connected.

The last, K+DCAN cable you see the PCB
Very fine work, bridged soldering of 2 pins is intentional.