Nissan Sentra B18 (2020-2025) Service Manual: System Description
System
Can Communication System
System Description
CAN (Controller Area Network) is a serial communication line for real time application. It is an on-Nissan Sentra vehicle multiplex communication line with high data communication speed and excellent error detection ability. Many electronic control units are equipped onto a Nissan Sentra vehicle, and each control unit shares information and links with other control units during operation (not independent). In CAN communication, control units are connected with 2 communication lines (CAN-H line, CAN-L line) allowing a high rate of information transmission with less wiring. Each control unit transmits/receives data but selectively reads required data only.
Diag on Can
System Description
SYSTEM DIAGRAM
|
Name |
Harness |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
DDL1 |
Tx Rx |
For communications with the diagnostic tool. (CAN-H and CAN-L are used for controlling) |
|
DDL2 |
K-LINE |
For communications with the diagnostic tool. (CAN-H and CAN-L are used for controlling) |
|
Diag on CAN |
CAN-H CAN-L |
For communications with the diagnostic tool. (CAN-H and CAN-L are also used for control and diagnoses.) |
DESCRIPTION
“Diag on CAN” is a diagnosis method which uses the CAN communication line for the communication between the control unit and the diagnostic tool.
Trouble Diagnosis
Component Description
|
Component |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Main line |
CAN communication line between splices |
|
Branch line |
CAN communication line between splice and a control unit |
|
Splice |
A point connecting a branch line with a main line |
|
Termination circuit |
Circuit connected across the CAN communication system. (Resistor) |
Condition of Error Detection
DTC (e.g. U1000 and U1001) of CAN communication is indicated on SELF-DIAG RESULTS on CONSULT if a CAN communication signal is not transmitted or received between units for 2 seconds or more.
CAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ERROR
-
CAN communication line open (CAN-H, CAN-L, or both)
-
CAN communication line short (ground, between CAN communication lines, other harnesses)
-
Error of CAN communication control circuit of the unit connected to CAN communication line
WHEN DTC OF CAN COMMUNICATION IS INDICATED EVEN THOUGH CAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IS NORMAL
-
Removal/installation of parts: Error may be detected when removing and installing CAN communication unit and related parts while turning the ignition switch ON. (A DTC except for CAN communication may be detected.)
-
Fuse blown out (removed): CAN communication of the unit may cease.
-
Voltage drop: Error may be detected if voltage drops due to discharged battery when turning the ignition switch ON (Depending on the control unit which carries out CAN communication).
-
Error may be detected if the power supply circuit of the control unit, which carries out CAN communication, malfunctions (Depending on the control unit which carries out CAN communication).
-
Error may be detected if reprogramming is not completed normally.
CAN communication system is normal if DTC of CAN communication is indicated on SELF-DIAG RESULTS of CONSULT under the above conditions. Erase the memory of the self-diagnosis of each control unit.
Symptom When Error Occurs in Can Communication System
In CAN communication system, multiple control units mutually transmit and receive signals. Each control unit cannot transmit and receive signals if any error occurs on CAN communication line. Under this condition, multiple control units related to the root cause malfunction or go into fail-safe mode.
ERROR EXAMPLE
Note:
Each Nissan Sentra vehicle differs in symptom of each control unit under fail-safe mode and CAN communication line wiring.
Example: Main Line Between Data Link Connector and ABS Actuator and Electric Unit (Control Unit) Open Circuit
|
Unit name |
Major symptom |
|---|---|
|
ECM |
Engine torque limiting is affected, and shift harshness increases. |
|
BCM |
|
|
EPS control unit |
The steering effort increases. |
|
Combination meter |
|
|
ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) |
Normal operation. |
|
TCM |
No impact on operation. |
|
IPDM E/R |
When the ignition switch is ON,
|
Example: TCM Branch Line Open Circuit
|
Unit name |
Major symptom |
|---|---|
|
ECM |
Engine torque limiting is affected, and shift harshness increases. |
|
BCM |
Reverse warning buzzer does not sound. |
|
EPS control unit |
Normal operation. |
|
Combination meter |
|
|
ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) |
Normal operation. |
|
TCM |
No impact on operation. |
|
IPDM E/R |
Normal operation. |
The model (all control units on CAN communication system are Diag on CAN) cannot perform CAN diagnosis with CONSULT if the following error occurs. The error is judged by the symptom.
|
Error |
Difference of symptom |
|---|---|
|
Data link connector branch line open circuit |
Normal operation. |
|
CAN-H, CAN-L harness short-circuit |
Most of the control units which are connected to the CAN communication system enter fail-safe mode or are deactivated. |
Example: Data Link Connector Branch Line Open Circuit
|
Unit name |
Major symptom |
|---|---|
|
ECM |
Normal operation. |
|
BCM |
|
|
EPS control unit |
|
|
Combination meter |
|
|
ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) |
|
|
TCM |
|
|
IPDM E/R |
When data link connector branch line is open, transmission and reception of CAN communication signals are not affected. Therefore, no symptoms occur. However, be sure to repair malfunctioning circuit.
Example: CAN-H, CAN-L Harness Short Circuit
|
Unit name |
Major symptom |
|---|---|
|
ECM |
|
|
BCM |
|
|
EPS control unit |
The steering effort increases. |
|
Combination meter |
|
|
ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) |
Normal operation. |
|
TCM |
No impact on operation. |
|
IPDM E/R |
When the ignition switch is ON,
|
Can Diagnosis with Consult
CAN diagnosis on CONSULT extracts the root cause by receiving the following information.
-
Response to the system call
-
Control unit diagnosis information
-
Self-diagnosis
-
CAN diagnostic support monitor
Self-Diagnosis
If communication signals cannot be transmitted or received among control units communicating via CAN communication line, CAN communication-related DTC is displayed on the CONSULT “Self Diagnostic Result” screen.
Note:
The following table shows examples of CAN communication-related DTC. For other DTC, refer to the applicable sections.
|
DTC |
Self-diagnosis item (CONSULT indication) |
DTC detection condition |
Inspection/Action |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
U1000 |
CAN COMM CIRCUIT |
ECM |
When ECM is not transmitting or receiving CAN communication signal of OBD (emission-related diagnosis) for 2 seconds or more. |
Start the inspection. Refer to the applicable section of the indicated control unit. |
|
Except for ECM |
When a control unit (except for ECM) is not transmitting or receiving CAN communication signal for 2 seconds or more. |
|||
|
U1001 |
CAN COMM CIRCUIT |
When ECM is not transmitting or receiving CAN communication signal other than OBD (emission-related diagnosis) for 2 seconds or more. |
||
|
U1002 |
SYSTEM COMM |
When a control unit is not transmitting or receiving CAN communication signal for 2 seconds or less. |
||
|
U1010 |
CONTROL UNIT(CAN) |
When an error is detected during the initial diagnosis for CAN controller of each control unit. |
Replace the control unit indicating “U1010”. |
|
Can Diagnostic Support Monitor
MONITOR ITEM (CONSULT)
Example: CAN DIAG SUPPORT MNTR indication
Without PAST
|
Item |
PRESENT |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Initial diagnosis |
OK |
Normal at present |
|
NG |
Control unit error (Except for some control units) |
|
|
Transmission diagnosis |
OK |
Normal at present |
|
UNKWN |
Unable to transmit signals for 2 seconds or more. |
|
|
Diagnosis not performed |
||
|
Control unit name (Reception diagnosis) |
OK |
Normal at present |
|
UNKWN |
Unable to receive signals for 2 seconds or more. |
|
|
Diagnosis not performed |
||
|
No control unit for receiving signals. (No applicable optional parts) |
With PAST
|
Item |
PRESENT |
PAST |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Transmission diagnosis |
OK |
OK |
Normal at present and in the past |
|
1 – 39 |
Normal at present, but unable to transmit signals for 2 seconds or more in the past. (The number indicates the number of ignition switch cycles from OFF to ON.) |
||
|
UNKWN |
0 |
Unable to transmit signals for 2 seconds or more at present. |
|
|
Control unit name (Reception diagnosis) |
OK |
OK |
Normal at present and in the past |
|
1 – 39 |
Normal at present, but unable to receive signals for 2 seconds or more in the past. (The number indicates the number of ignition switch cycles from OFF to ON.) |
||
|
UNKWN |
0 |
Unable to receive signals for 2 seconds or more at present. |
|
|
Not diagnosed |
– |
Diagnosis not performed. |
|
|
No control unit for receiving signals. (No applicable optional parts) |
How to Use Can Communication Signal Chart
The CAN communication signal chart lists the signals transmitted/received among control units. It is useful for detecting the root cause by finding a signal related to the symptom, and by checking transmission and reception unit.

Other materials:
Removal and Installation
Push-Button Ignition Switch
Removal and Installation
Removal and
Installation
REMOVAL
Remove shift selector finisher using
the following steps:
Remove the CVT shift selector knob. Refer to Removal & Installation.
Using a suitable tool, release cli ...
Ecu Diagnosis Information. Tcu
Tcu
Values on the Diagnosis Tool
Values on the Diagnosis Tool
Note:
The following table includes information (items)
inapplicable to this Nissan Sentra vehicle. For information (items) applicable to
this vehicle, refer to CONSULT display items.
...
System
System Description
System Description
Chassis control to integrally control the driving system
was adopted.
Chassis control module (with built in steering angle
sensor) inputs the necessary information for control from CAN
communication and ea ...