The Nissan Data Scan is a software designed specifically for Nissan vehicles. The software allows for diagnostics of the ECM, BCM, TCM, ABS, SRS, ECMD (ECM Diesel) control modules, and many other functionalities of a Nissan vehicle. 

The Nissan Data Scan is available in three primary versions – Nissan DataScan I, Nissan DataScan II, and Nissan DataScan III. The Nissan DataScan I was made for older Nissan car models from 1989 and 2000. The Nissan DataScan II is compatible with Nissan vehicles that were built with the gray 16-pin OBDII port connector and work with the Consult II protocol over the K line (DDL2). Nissan DataScan III, on the other hand, was built for newer Nissan vehicle models equipped with the latest grey 16-pin OBDII port connecter and run the Consult III protocol over the CAN bus. Below is the process on how to set up and use the Nissan Data Scan properly.  

Driver Installation

Connect your PC’s OBDII adapter to a spare USB port. Windows may connect to the Windows Update website and install any relevant driver it finds for the device, depending on the operating system.

There is no need to proceed with the steps given below if the automated installation occurs. If a suitable driver cannot be located automatically, use the option to manually choose the driver location and navigate to the place where the driver was saved.

The USB drivers may be downloaded from Nissan’s website, www.nissandatascan.com. After installation, the FTDI driver will assign a COM Port number to the adapter. Take note of the Com Port number, since it will be needed to configure the NDS program.

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Com Port Number Identification

The Nissan Data Scan Software must be able to interface with the OBDII adapter in order to function. This is accomplished by specifying the adaptor’s Com Port number. The Com Port setting is found in the Communication window, which can be accessed via the main window’s pull-down menu, Settings -> Communication. In the “COM Port” option, type the Com Port number allocated to your adapter. Choose the adapter type you’re using.

Generic adapter – for a “dumb” OBDII adapter, such as the VAG COM 409 adaptor

BlaztII adapter – design adapter for BlaztII

Click the Save button to save your newly modified settings. If you don’t know what Com Port number your adapter is allocated, use the methods below to figure it out.

After installation, the FTDI driver assigns a Com Port number to your OBDII adapter. Windows Device Manager can also help you find it.

Connect the OBDII adaptor to a USB port on your computer that isn’t in use. From the Control Panel, open the Device Manager Window on your computer.

The OBDII adapter will be found under “Ports (COM & LPT)” if the driver is successfully installed. Unplugging the adapter from the USB port will validate that you have recognized the proper device. The device should no longer be shown in the Device Manager list. You may also use the Communication Window’s Find BlaztII Adaptor feature to check all accessible Com Ports for the presence of a BlaztII adaptor. Generic adaptors will not be detected by this function.

Software Activation

Users can download NDS software from Nissan’s website under the tab Nissan Data Scan software download. You will be required to activate the Nissan Data Scan Software the first time you run it. To access the Activation window, go to Help->Activation. Fill in your name and email address for registration. To get your Registration Code, click the Generate Code button. 

Log in to the Nissan Data Scan member’s area with the credentials you were given when you bought the software. Select “Register Software” from the drop-down menu. Copy and paste your Registration Code from the NDS program into the “Generate Activation Key” box, then click the “Generate Activation Key” button.

Copy the Activation Key and paste it into the NDS program, then click the “Unlock” button. A pop-up message will verify that your NDS software has been activated. The NDS software is now fully functional.

Access to Software Functionalities

The primary window gives you access to all of the Nissan Data Scan software’s features. When not linked to an ECU, some functionalities are available “offline.” Other functionalities are only available if you’ve established a connection with an ECU. Specific ECU functions and program parameters are accessible from the top menu. The tabs allow you to select between ECUs, wideband sensors, and connection types:

ECM – Consult II procedure, Engine Control Unit

BCM – Consult II procedure, Body Control Unit

TCM – Consult II procedure, Transmission Control Unit

ABS – Consult II protocol, ABS Module

SRS – Consult II protocol, Airbag Module

ECMD – Consult II procedure, Diesel Engine Control Unit

OBDII – OBDII procedure, Engine Control Unit

WBO2 – Innovate Motorsports wide band oxygen antenna

Due to Consult II protocol constraints, only one ECU may be linked at a time. It is not feasible to connect to numerous ECUs at the same time. The ECU component number will be shown after the connection has been established. All functionalities that need communication with the ECU and those the ECU supports will be activated automatically.

The connection between the ECU and the PC is shown by the progress bar at the bottom. There is no data received from the ECU if the bar is not moving. The BlaztII adapter firmware version and user preference settings are also displayed in the status bar.

Communication Settings

The communication settings may be found under Settings -> Communication in the main pull-down menu. These options define the parameters that the NDS  program needs to access your ECUs. For the most part, the default settings will suffice.

COM Port – The OBDII adapter has a Com Port number allocated to it. If you’re not sure what Port number to use, look at the subject “Identifying Com Port Number.”

Generic adaptor – When utilizing a generic “dumb” OBDII adapter, such as the VAG COM 409 adaptor, choose

BlaztII adaptor – When utilizing a BlaztII design adapter, choose.

Please note that adaptors of the type ELM327 are not supported. A BlaztII design adapter is recommended. They are more dependable when it comes to connecting to ECUs. A generic “dumb” OBDII adapter is also supported for a low-cost setup and occasional use. If you’re experiencing trouble connecting with a generic adapter, consider changing the Ini Timer Offset setting. The time utilized in the start sequence is changed by this parameter. For certain generic adaptors to transfer data to the k-line, the DTR pin on the serial port must be enabled. For this type of adapter, enable the DTR option.

Save debug data – When this option is enabled, a debug file is created that NDS developers can examine. The file is normally stored in the same directory as the NDS application, however, this varies per operating system. This option should only be used if Nissan Data Scan clearly instructs you to.

ECU ID in Hex – Id of the target ECU. The IDs differ by area. The program utilizes a Tester ID to identify itself to ECUs. Most autos should be able to use the default settings.

ECU Button

The Find ECU button searches for ECUs that are currently operational. It’s utilized to figure out which ECUs are on board and how they’re reacting to the start sequence. If the default settings fail to communicate with the ECU, you might need to use this feature.

During the Active ECU Test, ECUs that aren’t supported can respond to the inquiry. For each sort of connection, it’s critical to use the relevant ECU ID. For example, for BCM connections, only use BCM IDs and for ECM connections, only use ECM IDs. Each type of ECU is limited to a certain set of functionality and requires a specific sort of connection.