Key Word Protocol 2000

ISO 14230 - Key Word Protocol 2000

The ISO 14230 standard refers to the communication protocol used by various import vehicles; Bentley, BMW, Daewoo, GEO, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, and Suzuki. This protocol has been used by most of these manufacturers since 1996.

With the ISO 14230 protocol, each bit of information is 96 us long and has two voltage levels to represent a logic 0 or 1. A low voltage is a logic 0 and a high voltage is a logic 1.

The data link connector (DLC) allows a scan tool to communicate with the serial data line. The serial data line is the means by which the microprocessor-controlled modules that are connected to it communicate with each other.

Once the scan tool is connected to the serial data K line through the DLC at pin 7, the scan tool can be used to monitor each module for diagnostic purposes and to check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). Some systems also use a second wire (L-line) in DLC pin 15 for various applications suing this same protocol.

ISO 14230 serial data is transmitted on a single wire (k-line) at an average of 10.4 kbps or higher depending upon the vehicle manufacturer's design. Circuit voltage switches between approximately 0 and 12 volts on this system.

The data bus K line wire is active at 6 - 7 volts when measured with a multimeter.
The data bus K line wire is inactive at 12 -14 volts when measured with a multimeter.