Analysing CANbus data on a Land Rover Defender L663 using SAVVYCAN ( To add new accessories )
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- In this video we give you a "behind the scenes" look at how we are able to look at the CANbus data network on the new Land Rover Defender and work out which signals relate to lighting / steering angle etc. We also look at how to create a DBC file of the CANbus data to more easily see what is happening in words.
Here is the link to SavvyCAN
www.savvycan.com/
Here is a link to Macchina
www.macchina.c...
Phew….I’m not sure that I would find it fun…terrifying is a better description! I’m just fascinated how you work your way through all of this and understand how each part of the functions work. That is your experience in high end electronics…a foreign language to most of us old souls who were happy to just plug a bullet connector into the lighting circuit to get our spot lamps to work on a Saturday morning after a splurge of £10 for a set of Rayodots in Halfords!! Well done men…most impressive! 😎😎😎😎😎😎Richard
Now despite what I say above, I think I can understand what you are saying and that skill impresses me as well. My ideas for rewriting are this. When the engine is running and the passenger gets out of the car, the radio stays on but if I stop the engine and the passenger opens the door, the radio switches off. I understand why that is needed on the drivers door but I might be waiting for the passenger to return from say, a shop and have to restart the radio every time. Hence…disable the radio off mode on passenger doors. Also…rewrite the length of time the radio will play…mine shuts down after about ten minutes at very most but 30 minutes should not kill a healthy battery?? Any good??🤔🤔😐😐😐
Things have move on a bit and Land Rover are putting current sensing in circuits to stop people changing things or adding to circuits so this is why we need to up our game
I've been doing a bit of this for radio controls on D3 & D4. My thought for light controls was to double flash main beam for on, coming off again with main beam. This allows a single flash for normal driving. Good work.
We may well steal your idea ! I will talk to the programming guys !
Very clever stuff as usual Simon!
We even impressed ourselves with this stuff !
It’s like decoding the cars DNA. Great video! 👍
That is a really good comparison... all the data is there it just needs to be decoded one block at a time
This is SO cool. Reminds me of the Apollo computer from NASA. That's fascinating reading. You can find the source code available. I love the error message "danger Will Robinson!"
Hi Simon, the canbus module IDs (the pupils in your video) must all have a distinct Ids, Same goes for the response codes from each device eg Open / closed etc values. If the list isn't defined (IE in a data dictionary) then the device manufacturers wouldn't know what to code their devices to respond to or what each response meant. Likewise a signal would be sent to a device to trigger an action eg internal light on when door opens etc and this also needs to know where it's going and what the instruction is. Your life would be made a lot easier having this. Any friends @ Land Rover who could assist? Brilliant insight - quite often it's what you do to take the 'lid' off these things that takes the skill. :-)
No, modules having a set ID is wrong.
This is brilliant Simon. Thank you. One irritation or problem I have is that the instrument panel and entertainment system turn on every time you open any door. When camping this can cause the battery to go flat because often you may open and close doors many times, throughout the day. I can understand this happening for the drivers door but not the others. Can this be turned off for all doors except drivers door using this method?
Thank you
Hi Bruce - I plan to do a review of the current consumed by each fuse to see if we can track down which fuse we can add a switch too to isolate that fuse for "camping mode". We could then use the CANbus controller to automatically isolate the circuit when set to a camping mode.
@@L663 that would be awesome! Thank you for the reply
@@L663 Hi great guys! Is there a solution maybe today? I see it is 2 years old this topic. Thank you so much!
@@MCMKAP We are looking for people to take part in our Beta trial of the CANbus controlled relay. If you want to be part of the Beta test please send an email via our website.
After watching your adaptive beam video, the same would be a good algorithm for the light bar. If they make adaptive light bars, narrow or widen based on speed and only come on when any off road mode (not Eco or Comfort) is selected. Or a different mode - come on when speed is above 30mph and auto high beams activate?
How about: Disable tire low pressure warning when any off road mode is selected and speed remains below 40 mph (or when off road height remains active?)
Simon ,
Question:
Which electrical outlet i could use to connect a outdoor LED light when camping, and doesn’t shut down 5 mns after switching off the car ?
I tried the one in the front and the ones in back seat, all cut off shortly after shutting down the vehicle.
Cheers,
Simon, you champion, woodsy here from Australia. This is fascinating. What are the chances of developing access to use the Defender camera system as dash cam with cloud record link??
Now THIS would be excellent !
The cameras use LVDS ( Low Voltage Digital Signals ) not conventional camera signals and its tricky to decode these LVDS signals. It is crazy how many cameras are on the new Defender - Dash cam / driver assistance camera / front parking camera etc. The Tesla uses the same camera for all functions including dashcam with parking mode !
@@L663 Thanks again Simon, for your terrific research, videos and product development. I have a 2021 Se D300 after 6 Discoverys & I could not be more pleased, but the insight you provide into tweaking the Defender is terrific. Brad
Enjoying the reverse engineering videos Simon, very interested to see where you take this!
Glad people are enjoying this as i was worried it was a bit geeky !
What is this sorcery! ;-) Greetings from the heat of Arizona! About to go flying in a couple of hours!
Enjoy the view from up there in the sky !
@@L663 I will try too! A lot of multi tasking of a new kind for me, so we shall see! lol
Wow I just got the best practical primer on SavvyCAN! Can I use any CAN to serial? I was reading you can use ESP32 devices and WiFi.
I think it works with a lot of CCAN to serial devices.
If utilizing speed, then if you stop to get out of the car to move a tree limb, the lights would go out? Wouldn’t the terrain response be more feasible? Such as out of normal mode, brights on, suspension raised?
Yes i agree - if suspension is raised or in off road modes then light bar on with main beam all the time
Can you do the interior ambient lights on the middle console?
Thanks Simon, hopefully one of them can tell me why my yellow engine light just came on.
I think i saw this on the facebook group !
' you can listen into your car systems talking to each other ' ... no thanks , i'd rather not hear all the complaints about not being washed , muddy dogs in the back etc , etc
Nice work Simon! Question about the Macchina...looks like you went with the underhood model M2 instead of the OBD model M2. Wouldn't it be easier to go through the OBD port for communications? Then it's just one hookup with USB to computer. As I stated earlier...super nice work! Looking forward to more CANbus decoding videos from you!
Hi - i am glad you found this interesting - was worried it was a bit geeky !
The problem is with the ODB port is that some car manufacturers "filter" the messages you can see on the ODB11 port
This could be for security or other reasons ! so i was keen to tap straight into the main circuit - also i can leave this connected to the tow bar connector and still use the ODB11 port for other applications - like Pathfinder software etc.
Good information! I’ll be following along watching for updates. I’m going to try this same process, not sure if I can as I have a trailer plug. If not, I’ll try other places. Cheers mate!
I need a way to tell the car to roll windows up as if i pressed and hold a button on a keyfob
DRL's on the back / rear running by daylight, please...? Thx, keep up the good work !
Very well Simon. I was known with sniffing a CAN bus, but have not been able to get anyone to lend me his Defender. Trying to get NEW defender headlights working without the Defender. I did find a schematic which states that I only have the inputs for high and low beam, and CAN bus. Also i see a CAN bus connected from one headlight to the other. Can i control this lights by just sending the correct CAN messages which i will have to sniff, or is that too easy said?
In theory you are right - the headlights just need power and CAN. There are several signals sent over the CAN - headlight levels / light output / matrix segments ( on some models ) This actually could be a fun project - you could create a light show like on the Tesla ! even on the car. Why are you trying to illuminate a Defender headlight not on a car ?
@@L663 Because there is this car that only has the lights, and not the internals of the defender L663. this helps a lot. There is no LIN communication? the schematics also state LIN input
Found out the following: The headlights need CAN messages (any) to be activated. if activated, the pin 9 and 10 trigger low beam and high beam. I assume the DRL and turn signals are controlled over LIN but have not been able to get this running. this is however, a matter of time
Nice. How about for the LR4. Put car in access mode when you select park?
I'd buy it. 👍
Yes this would be good - it happens on the Defender !
Dear which website i get this tool
Could you create a code that would level the car when parked for camping? Adjust each corner to create a level surface?
At the moment we are just listening to the CANbus so we can see it is not level but taking control of the actuators to rectify this is much more difficult - but i do know a company that is looking at this idea !
Oh my word, that would be a great feature. Just drove Swartberg Pass (in South Africa), stopped to make coffee with my jetboil on the PowerfulUK picnic table, and battled to find level ground.
@@L663 Cheers and Thanks
I have a question about adding new accessories. My Defender is a 2022, because of electronic shortages not all options that were ordered made it in to the build. In my case, the clearview mirror was not added. I looked up in the area of the overhead console and believe that I see the fiber optic cable imbedded in the wiring harness for the mirror/camera. If that fiber optic cable is there, can I just add the interior mirror and the fin with the rear camera or, do I need to program it in to CANbus for it to work? How do I know if CANbus controls a function of an accessory? Maybe I’m just thinking out loud here…not sure where to look for info.
Good question - I know this has been done. Here is the wiring for the mirror
www.dropbox.com/s/m5elhc7arsxvsfk/rear%20view%20mirror%20wiring.JPG?dl=0
It looks like there should be a 6 way connector there as well as the video input.
I will look at this on my car and see of the wire is there too.
the algorithm should include the use of any off road mode, light sensor and speed and maybe activate it with the fogs
Good point although the cars high beam mode does not work with FOG - if you have toom much light in fog it can be a problem.
@@L663 I don't understand how you are going to connect to the canbus model and adress the light bars, but people that goes off road will have white light bars for visibility (long range and flood) and also will have yellow bars for fog light situation
so if you are using a canbus module to adress the switch, then
option 1 high beams + off road + engine running + 5mph turn on all white led light bars
option 2 fog lights + off road + engine running + 5mph turn on all yellow led light bars
option 3 engine running + park + tailgate open aux lights (rear and side light bars)
In my opinion it should be better to develop a nice place for rocker switchs for accesories
Hi 👋 very nice 👌 interesting 🤨 I have also upgrade my Range Rover ac /heater panel to newer LCD screen 📺 like new model.
Thanks 🙏 🙏❤️❤️💕💕
Mr Virdi - congratulations on the AC panel upgrade - I have seen this but not done the install ! You beat me to it !
@@L663 no I don’t want to go front of you I always respect you if I tell you this how much is cost me you are not going to believe me cost me very low price directly from china .
Thanks 🙏
Brilliant!! Great Video! Would you mind sharing your LR DBC Files? ;-)
Are there any values you are looking for ? we are sort of working with a company on a product and so I dont want to share them if you are going to compete with them.
@@L663 i would really be interested in headlight signalling on CAN
Would it be a good idea with the speed over 10 mph roof beam on code to make that a rule only in hi range. Low range whenever high beam is selected turn roof light on instantly. That way if your off road navigating an obstacle you’ll have use of extra light.
That seems a good idea to have different logic for off road modes / lo range
@@L663 could always do something in rock crawl to allow reverse light maybe? More challenging terrain more light on the situation.
I have a headache after watching this 😁
Not as much as the one I have from working out how to do all of this !
What about raising the car in extended mode
We are not using CANbus to control anything or input any signals onto the CANbus - only "listen" to the CAN and use this to control other devices.
There is a cheat for that. Something like keeping your foot on the brake and pushing the lvl up button for 8 seconds.
This is so fucking cool.
With regards to roof lights if you’re off roading at night would you go below 10mph at times so you wouldn’t want the roof light turning off?
Yes based on the comments here I think it would be good to have roof lights on with main beam in all off road modes and also if suspension is raised.
lol had a laugh when you mentioned warranty
Lets hope i continue to have the luxury to joke about it... but to be most problems to date i have to fix myself as the dealer was not able to fix them ( GPF problem and wade sensors )
Tbh I really don’t mind simply flipping a separate switch for my off road aux lights on and off.
Fair point - well presented !
First must be 😀
Yes you are!🥇🏆
At the risk of sounding like an old geezer, why would one work so hard to to get a car computer to do things the driver can do more efficiently? (kind of like using my phone to change the thermostat instead of getting my rear end off the couch and walking 6 feet to do it manually. Yeah, I'm guilty)
My 2020 D110 roof lights have a standard Carling switch that is totally in my control. I'm sure you will come up with something I haven't thought about that will be cool.
Just seems that a lot of effort is going into unnecessary automation that also further removes the driver from the experience. But it does seem fun to poke around this new Defender.
Cheers
I think you raise some valid points - sometime i do things just because they interest me and I hope one day it will turn into a useful product. Some people have asked for this and it will be nice not to impact the warranty. Also later i may be able to broadcast onto the CANbus - then we can have some fun - and i am looking now at a 2nd display with extra info on like engine temperature etc
This is why the little toe rags cut into back door to steal Range rovers.😡Can't you work out a Land Rover Can bus anti theft device Simon?
I am looking into this.
Hi 👋 very nice 👌 interesting 🤨 I have also upgrade my Range Rover ac /heater panel to newer LCD screen 📺 like new model.
Thanks 🙏 🙏❤️❤️💕💕
Nice 👍