Canbus decoder for Reverse lights

Canbus reverse light decoder is a smart accessory needed when installing reverse lights if you have a modern and newly manufactured car that has Canbus light monitoring on the reverse lights.

A "regular" traditional relay harness works by stealing an analog signal from the plus(+) power supply to the reverse lights when they come on. When it detects an "ignition signal", the signal is passed on to the relay in the wiring harness. The relay works just like a normal switch (off and on). So the relay turns on the retrofitted reverse lights at the same time as the existing reverse lights turn on.

If, however, you have a Canbus light monitoring system for the reversing lights on your car (most newly manufactured cars with LED and xenon after approx. 2016 have this), then a digital signal is instead sent to the reversing lights when they are switched on. A "regular" traditional analog relay cable set cannot read this signal, but needs a Canbus Decoder to convert the digital signal to an analog signal so that the relay cable set can work.

How do I connect this?

Connecting this Canbus decoder is relatively simple. As a rule, the Canbus decoder is mounted inside the car's passenger compartment, where the digital signal can be picked up when the reverse light is switched on from signal cables. The location differs between different car models, but the most common is that you find the signal cables at the diagnosis socket (OBD socket), but can also be under the steering wheel, behind the stereo, behind the glove compartment or similar.

We have instructions on where to find the high beam digital signal cables for pretty much every car model on the market, if you're unsure. Once you've identified the digital signal wires, solder (recommended) or solder the wires from the Canbus decoder onto the digital signal wires. For the Canbus decoder to work, the Canbus decoder also needs to be connected with power (+ and -). Now the Canbus decoder should be plugged in and working!

When you have connected the Canbus decoder, you get an analog plus signal from the Canbus decoder, which you can connect any relay cable set to. So now the retrofitted and connected reverse light will light up at the same time as the original light.

How do I know if I need a Canbus decoder for my car?

Most new modern cars after about 2016 that are equipped with LED or Xenon headlights, have Canbus monitoring on the car's lights and need this Canbus decoder to connect retrofit lights. If you have halogen headlights, it is less likely that you need a Canbus decoder. The easiest way to check this is to check the information papers about your car yourself, e.g. user manual. If you have an older car, it is more likely that you do not have Canbus monitoring on the reversing light and then you do not need the Canbus decoder. If you are unsure, you can always contact our customer service and they can help you.

ATTENTION! Even if you have a light monitoring system on your car, it is not certain that you need it. Do you have an older car with a simpler light monitoring system on e.g. reversing lights and indicators, so this is not needed. If you are unsure, always check this before you buy the product. If you are unsure, contact our support and they can check your particular vehicle whether you need it or not.

Technical specification

• Product: Strands Canbus Decoder for Reverse Lights (for newer modern cars)
• Area of application: Convert digital ignition signal from reversing light to an analog one
• Included: Cables and assembly instructions