Front License, OBD2

[Cranky]

I live in Texas, a state that requires a front license plate. How does one attach a front plate to a Caterham?

 

Do Caterhams come with an OBDII port? Specifically, would an R300 with a Duratec 2.0L come with one?

[Croc]

There is a J1952 (or whatever it is called I am having a senior moment) plug under the dash which looks exactly like an OBDII plug. However, if you were to plug in an OBDII reader I guarantee you will not get any readings. This is because the ECU used by Caterham does not support OBDII. It is CAN output so you can read it using a proper cable, mapping software AND the secret code from Caterham (which is so secret that I don't know it!). Some early zetecs which used the Ford Focus ECU did have OBDII but they were rare.

 

 

My front license plate accidentally fell off on purpose when I was not looking once and now it resides between the transmission tunnel and seats when the nice orificer asks where it is.

 

You could always try velcro or some low profile license plate mount like this:

http://skenedesign.com/FPBracket/index.shtml

 

or the ones here

http://www.licenseplatebracketcentral.com/license-plate-bracket-front/

[toedrag]

...This is because the ECU used by Caterham does not support OBDII. It is CAN output so you can read it using a proper cable, mapping software AND the secret code from Caterham (which is so secret that I don't know it!).

 

That's odd. CAN is a pretty simple protocol, riding on a 2-wire interface, or single wire if you're GM. It's multi-master & broadcast in nature to make it really easy & fast to receive PID data. But, the CAN protocol doesn't define any sort of physical layer pinout/connector; that's left up to the designer or the OBDII standard if so equipped, which apparently, it's not.

 

I don't think the CAN protocol natively has any sort of enable/disable feature. Caterham might have just put the 2 CAN signals on different pins than OBDII specifies, which is why standard OBDII readers wouldn't work. Or, maybe it's CAN single-wire and you'd need an OBDII reader that supports CAN single-wire? Or, they could have gotten creative and might have defined an Enable pin that needs to be shorted to GND or 12V before the CAN Bus data can be read at that connector. Or, if they are really paranoid, they could make a custom cable that contains something like an EEPROM where its contents need to read & validated before CAN Bus data can be read at that connector. I hope they didn't build a customized CAN protocol requiring a secret code to be transmitted through the CAN protocol itself; that's lunacy imo.

 

I'm curious to know the answer to both how it works technically and their justification for implementing it that way.

 

On a related note, if anyone wants to read a doc on how CAN works, TI has a pretty informative doc here: [/url]http://www.ti.com/lit/an/sloa101a/sloa101a.pdf

[yellowss7]

Looks like we just found our new Forum wiring Guru. :seeya: Looking forward to more technical support from you Toedrag!!! Tom

[Croc]

Sorry I should have been clearer. You are correct - CAN does not control the access. If you get Easimap software and the special cable that SBD Developent sell to plug between the connector on the car wiring loom (which connects to the MBE ECU used by Caterham) and your computer you can see what your Caterham is doing electronically real time. However, you cannot change anything like remapping or tweaking the ECU settings. For that you need the Caterham password. There have been many instances where people buy a new unlocked ECU so they can remap their Caterham.

 

However, the CAN output on the plug can be used to get real time data if you wanted to connect it to a data logger. But it is not following OBDII protocols and so will not be read by an OBDII scanner tool.

 

The SBD Development site is a resource if you are a Caterham owner trying to understand this.

http://www.sbdev.co.uk/Engine_Management_Systems/ECU/MBE_ECU_Software.htm

[WestTexasS2K]

I live in Texas and don't run front plate. I've never been pulled over for it here but some areas my not be as forgiving. I carry mine under my seat and just tell them there is no place to put.

There is a company called flip plate. It uses a solenoid to fold the play under the car when parked but it flips on when the ignition comes on. Hot toddlers use them and toll skippers do too.

[Croc]

Hot toddlers use them

 

 

Must be a Texas thing?

[xflow7]

I've had my car registered in 3 states (OH, NY, VT) that require front plates for a combined total of ~8 years. In that time I've never mounted it and never had a problem.

 

That said, YMMV.

 

Dave

[xcarguy]

Well, word on the street is that the front license plate natzis (southern spell'n) have been monitor'n this thread. Now, Seveneers around the country are hav'n to scramble to figure out a front-mount solution. The redneck in me says mount the plate at an angle just under the nose and use it as a spoiler. Or better yet (my personal favorite) split the plate and mount it on each side of the nose for that fancy canard effect . . . .This sounds soooo Red Green, but just say'n.

Edited July 25, 2014 by xcarguy

[coffee break]

Somewhere in a thread I recall seeing a photo of a plate that had been folded. The stamped numbers were the only thing I saw. It was mounted low in a spoiler kind'a way. :smash:

[Croc]

Yes the folded license plate was Scannon's. He had mounted the CSR nose aero attachment to the base of the nose cone and then mounted the plate to that and folded the excess under.

[breezy7]

I used a plastic frame that mounted through 2 holes drilled in the nose cone below the radiator opening. Attached the frame to the car with plastic bolts and nuts and a dab of RTV on the nuts to keep them from loosening. Never had a problem with road clearance. I filed a notch into the bolt thinking it would give way before tearing any fiberglass, fortunately never tested the theory.

[xcarguy]

Somewhere in a thread I recall seeing a photo of a plate that had been folded. The stamped numbers were the only thing I saw. It was mounted low in a spoiler kind'a way. :smash:

 

Yes the folded license plate was Scannon's. He had mounted the CSR nose aero attachment to the base of the nose cone and then mounted the plate to that and folded the excess under.

 

 

. . . . . . . And I was just trying to be funny. :svengo:

[coffee break]

. . . . . . . And I was just trying to be funny. :svengo:

 

OK, ya got me. 'Round here the cops are too busy ignoring texters and the like. On top of all the traffic laws on the books, we have a "slow poke" law. If you are driving the speed limit in the left lane you can get a ticket. Like that will ever happen. :toetap05:

[WestTexasS2K]

Damn spell correct!

[scannon]

Yes the folded license plate was Scannon's. He had mounted the CSR nose aero attachment to the base of the nose cone and then mounted the plate to that and folded the excess under.

Here's the first version before I got the ONABLAT plate. Rather than cutting off the Colorado mountains on the top of the ONABLAT plate I folded them forward so they lie against the bottom of the nosecone.

 

I've asked a number of cops, CHP and sheriff's deputies their opinion on this method and all have agreed it is sufficient.

[xcarguy]

Spell check . . . Loren, you had me at 'hot toddler'.

[jeffs]

It's funny, I was harassed all the time by the local cops in my Elise for not having a front plate, but so far they've been really good about the Caterham. A lot of states have exceptions for classic cars not having a front plate, so maybe they just assume it doesn't need one.

 

I haven't had any problem pulling data from the OBDII port for my data logger (Solo DL). The only issue was getting it programmed properly... no data when I told it I had an MBE ECU, but when I set it for a connection to a Noble is worked perfectly

[Croc]

Hi Jeff - just sent you a PM!

[bigdog]

Here's how it works in Washington state. This is from a Ferrari chat forum.

 

"Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 46.16.240 states in part, "The vehicle

license number plates shall be attached conspicuously at the front and

rear of each vehicle . . . PROVIDED HOWEVER, that in cases where the

body construction of the vehicle is such that compliance with this

section is impossible, permission to deviate there from may be granted

by the state patrol. . . ."

 

Every vehicle is required to have a front license plate if it is

possible to affix one to a vehicle. Therefore if there is a license

plate bracket (factory part number) which may be affixed to the vehicle allowing for the front

license plate to be displayed, you will be required to install it on

your vehicle whether or not it requires you to drill holes.

 

If after researching for a factory license plate bracket you cannot find said license plate bracket, you can apply for a front license plate waiver

for your vehicle. These waivers are looked at on a case by case basis

based on the original manufactured version of the vehicle and its

ability to affix a front license plate. To request a front license

plate waiver please write a letter articulating why you feel you should

be exempt from the law, include a picture of the front of the vehicle

and any additional information you feel would outline your case and send

to:

 

Washington State Patrol

Equipment & Standards

PO Box 42600

Olympia WA 98504-2600""

 

 

 

Then there is this:

When I got my exemption, there were only four other cars with exemptions in Washington. A Caterham(SP), a 512 bb, and I have forgotten the other two.

 

So, I just might be able to run my seven sans a front number plate.