Perfect tool for scan
“No Communication” errors and CAN network diagnostics.

You are all too familiar with the DLC: it is small and next to impossible to probe without straining your back or damaging the pins? Now, imagine a DLC that is 5-times larger, sits in your lap and loves to be probed.

We call it the CTB ‘Break-out Box’

The CTB ‘Break-out Box’ is a pass-through breakout box for the OBDII DLC (diagnostic link connector).
It’s a DLC magnifier: makes the DLC 5-times larger.
It’s a DLC extender: puts the DLC where you need it.
It’s a spy: exposes the activity on each OBD-II dedicated dataline.

Yes, you still have to locate the vehicle’s DLC and attach the CTB ‘Break-out Box’ but after that everything is so much easier:
• Probing: no more damaged pins
• Power and Grounds: the CTB ‘Break-out Box’  immediately indicates their status with LEDs on pins 4, 5, and 16.
• Monitoring: Use your lab scope, meter, logic probe, test light, etc to get voltage measurements from any DLC line.
• Jumpering: jumper from any pin to any other pin while scanning or monitoring.
• Your back: spend less time on your belly, bent over and squeezed in. When was the last time you did an oil change on your back?
• Scanning: perform all scan tool functions while doing everything listed above while sitting in the front seat or standing outside the car.

The CTB ‘Break-out Box’ is 7.5″ x 4″ x 1.5″, that is 5-times larger than the vehicle’s DLC.
It is a ‘smart’ DLC 16-pin breakout box with pass-through technology: view live scan tool data while monitoring any DLC line with your lab scope, multimeter or logic probe. The intelligent front panel design of the CTB ‘Break-out Box’ is enhanced with LEDs that identify OBD-II protocols making it easy to locate and reference datalines and identify the active protocol.

LED’s
LEDs are used to indicate status of power, grounds and communication activity on OBD-II dedicated datalines…
• Pin 16: Red LED lights up when there is power.
• Pins 4 and 5: Green LED’s on each pin light up when ground is good.
• Pins 2, 6, 7, 10: Yellow LED’s on each pin light up to identify vehicle data OBD-II protocol and activity.

Layout
• The CTB ‘Break-out Box’ mimics the layout of the vehicle’s DLC with two rows of 8 pins. This make is easier to reference pins off each other.
• Labels identify the function of each pin that is an OBD-II dedicated dataline.

Compatibility and Connections
• Vehicles: The CTB ‘Break-out Box’ is compatible with OBD-II vehicles.
• Scan Tools: use it with your OBD-II compatible tools: scan tools, codereaders, monitor readers or dataloggers.
• Measurement Tools: The CTB ‘Break-out Box’ takes the 16-pin spades on the vehicle DLC and converts them to safety banana sockets. This allows you to connect all types of leads and probes that use 4mm banana plugs (including those with safety sheaths) into any of the 16-datalines. Any tool that uses a standard test lead or probe can then be connected to the the CTB ‘Break-out Box’, these include, lab scopes, meters, logic probes, test lights, etc…
• Measurement Types: in addition to scan data you can ohm out and check voltages at any pin with your scope, multimeter or logic probe.

More Features
• The CTB ‘Break-out Box’ also gives quick, safe and convenient access to chassis ground and power through the DLC connector.
• 4-ft” extension cable with DLC adapter connects to vehicle.
• Pin 16 input protected with 1.2 amp polyfuse.

How does the CTB ‘Break-out Box’ earn its money?
If the tool saves you as little as 5-minutes everyday and you earn more than $20/hour then the tool will pay for itself in 6 months.

The tool repays you by saving time when you run the special tests and measurements required to complete a repair or make a diagnosis. Additionally, before you scan the vehicle it is a good practice to test the DLC to ensure it will not fry your favorite scan tool. Your scan tool will love you for it!

You can use the CTB ‘Break-out Box’ for:
• No communication between scan tool and vehicle: find out why the scan tool will not communicate, in many cases the DLC is the problem.
• Scan tool protection: Ever hear about aftermarket radios on VW’s?
• Ohm-out and Jumper: perform special functions and tests.
• Bench Programming: yes, somebody does that
• Monitor voltage during Programming
• Transmitter Programming on some GMs
• Honda: set the ECM in SCS mode with your scan tool connected
• Lexus: help diagnose electronics systems (Sirius, GPS) on pin 6 and 14
• Troubleshoot Bosch controllers that short to ground

Contents
• CTB ‘Break-out Box’ unit with 4-ft extension cable
• CD-based manual