Principles of Operation: Ms-Can

The MS-CAN uses an unshielded twisted pair cable of data (+) and data (-) circuits. The data (+) and the data (-) circuits are each regulated to approximately 2.5 volts during neutral or rested network traffic. As bus messages are sent on the data (+) circuit, voltage is increased by approximately 1.0 volt. Inversely, the data (-) circuit is reduced by approximately 1.0 volt when a bus message is sent. Multiple bus messages can be sent over the network CAN circuits allowing multiple modules to communicate with each other. The MS-CAN is used for the IC, the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) the smart junction box (SJB), the driver seat module (DSM), the ACM, the SDARS module, the rear entertainment module (RETM), the liftgate/trunk module (LTM), and the HVAC module communications, and designed for general information transfer. The MS-CAN will not communicate while certain faults are present, but will operate with diminished performance with other faults present. The MS-CAN bus may remain operational when 1 of the 2 termination resistors are not present.

In the event that one of the 2 network circuits (MS-CAN + or MS-CAN -) becomes open to a module on the network, unreliable network communication to all modules on the network may result. The module to which the network circuit is open may repeatedly send network messages indicating there has been partial data received. This type of message is referred to as a negative-acknowledge (NACK) message. Repeated NACK messages may "load" the network with too much activity causing intermittent no communication to other network modules and/or the scan tool.

The following fault chart describes the specific MS-CAN failures and their resulting symptom: