Mazda Training manual - part 180

TC001-18-01H

INTRODUCTION TO M-MDS 
SG00 - General                                                                        

 
 

 

SG00 Page- 3 

Timetable 
 

Day 1 

Time 

Session 

Remarks 

8:30 – 9:00 

Introductions 

 

9:00 – 10:20 

M-MDS Components  

PDA Owners Manual must be 
available 

10:20 – 10:30

Morning Break 

 

10:30 – 11:50

M-MDA Activities 

  

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch 

 

13:00 – 14:50

M-MDA Activities 

 

14:50 – 15:00

Afternoon Break 

 

15:00 – 17:00

M-MDA Activities 

 

 

Day 2 

Time 

Session 

Remarks 

8:30 – 9:00 

Review Day 1 

 

9:00 – 10:20 

M-MDA Activities 

 

10:20 – 10:30  Morning Break  

 

10:30 – 11:50  Introduction to IDS 

 

12:00 – 13:00  Lunch 

 

13:00 – 14:50  IDS Activities 

 

14:50 – 15:00  Afternoon Break  

 

15:00 – 17:00  IDS Activities/Evaluation 

 

 

 

This schedule is subject to change when necessary. 

TC001-18-01H

INTRODUCTION TO M-MDS 
SG01 - Introduction 
                                                                        

 

SG01 Page- 1

IDS Components 

PDS Components 

M-MDS Components 
 
M-MDS consists of new hardware and software to communicate with the vehicle’s 
control modules via the Data Link Connector (DLC).  
 
There are two diagnostic systems within M-MDS.   
 

• 

Integrated Diagnostic Software (IDS)  

• 

Portable Diagnostic Software (PDS)  

 
Like WDS, both systems get updates via DVD every 6 to 8 weeks.  In addition, both 
systems get daily updates from the internet.  These updates are similar to the 
updates previously downloaded from ESI. 
 
IDS uses a Mazda-approved laptop computer, a Vehicle Communication Module 
(VCM), several cables, and IDS software. 
 
 
 
 

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PDS uses a Mazda-approved Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), the same VCM as 
IDS, several cables, ActiveSync, and PDS software.  PDS also requires a host PC to 
get data into and out of the PDA. 
 
 

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NOTE 

Mazda PDS uses a PDA.  In this class and in Mazda Service Information, the 
PDA acronym is the same as Pocket PC (P-PC).  M-MDS uses a PDA/Pocket PC 
with Windows Mobile 2003 SE software.  M-MDS will not run on a Palm Pilot. 

 
Mazda PDS consists of two pieces of software, Portable Diagnostic Software (PDS) 
and Portable File Manager (PFM).  Together, this software is referred to as Portable 
Diagnostic System (PDS). 

TC001-18-01H

INTRODUCTION TO M-MDS 
SG01 - Introduction 
                                                                        

 

SG01 Page- 2

Vehicle Diagnostic System 
 
All modules in vehicles with scan tool diagnostics connect to the DLC via one of 
several communication methods: 
These are the different forms of communication the scan tool must be able to 
understand to communicate with the vehicle. These are:  
 

• 

ISO1941“K” line 

• 

J1850 SCP 

• 

ISO 11898 CAN 

  
 
ISO 1941, also known as “K” line, is a single wire from the module to the DLC and 
then to the scan tool.  The only communication on the “K” line is module to scan tool.  
The only diagnostic functions available are DTC retrieval, Data logger, and limited 
programming ability.  There is only one “K” line (single wire) in the DLC 
 
J1850, also known as Standard Corporate Protocol (SCP), is a 2-wire system (Bus 
+ and Bus -) allowing module to module communication.  It also goes to the DLC to 
allow communication with the scan tool.  With SCP, the scan tool can retrieve DTC(s), 
access data logger PID(s), and program/reprogram the modules.  When connected, 
the scan tool becomes another module on the SCP bus lines.  There is only one Bus 
+ and one Bus – in the DLC 
 
ISO 11898 CAN (Controller Area Network) is a two-wire system (CAN + and CAN -) 
that allows module-to-module communication.  CAN also connects to the DLC to 
allow communication with the scan tool.  Like SCP, the scan tool becomes another 
module on the network.  With CAN, the scan tool can retrieve DTC(s), access data 
logger PID(s), and program/reprogram modules.  When connected, the scan tool 
becomes another module on the CAN network(s).  Currently there can be up to two 
CAN networks on Mazda vehicles: High speed CAN (HS CAN, DLC pins 6 and 14) 
and medium speed (MS CAN, DLC pins 3 and 11).  All current Mazda’s have HS 
CAN.  MS CAN depends on the vehicle’s options or module content: 

•  HS CAN communicates at 500K per second  

•  MS CAN communicates at 125K per second. 

 
Now let’s talk about information flow to the scan tool, starting at the DLC. 
 
When you plug the data cable into the DLC, information goes to the VCM in 
Controller Area Network, Standard Corporate Protocol, or “K” line. The VCM converts 
this data into Universal Serial Bus (USB).  Data in this format is then sent to the 
laptop (IDS) or PDA (PDS). 
 

NOTE 

“Universal Serial Bus” is an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates 
of 12 Mbps.  A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral 
devices, such as a mouse, modems, and keyboards. USB also supports plug-and-
play installation and hot plugging. (Source: www.webopedia.com). 

TC001-18-01H

INTRODUCTION TO M-MDS 
SG01 - Introduction 
                                                                        

 

SG01 Page- 3

Vehicle Diagnostic System  
(Cont’d) 
 
The laptop or PDA then converts this data into text or images (i.e., graphics) for us to 
use when diagnosing the vehicle. 
 
IDS is very similar to WDS, using the same icons and functions to operate it.  The 
only difference to the operator is that the Mazda-approved laptop is not “touch 
screen” like the WDS Portable Test Unit.  This means you have to use the keyboard 
and mouse or scratch pad.   
 
Since you are already familiar with WDS, this class deals primarily with PDS. Let’s 
get started with PDS activities.