GT-R MFD (Multi-function display) reverse CAN Bus data?

Tiny
60PSI_GUY
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  • 2013 INFINITI FX50
  • 30,000 MILES
Hello there hope all is well!

-I know this is old but I came across this thread from you and a fellow QX70 owner discussing CAN bus signals:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/pin-digram-for-speedometer-cluster

-I've been questioning all day what this person did here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CarHacking/comments/1goavn8/nissaninfiniti_can_bus_reverse_engineering_to/

-He was able to modify the firmware on the nav unit to get the GTR MFD, and then get any available CAN bus data to transfer into the MFD tab on the now "modified" unit. There's more videos on his YT channel of him testing it if you can check it out.

-Here's where everything started:
(Guy from the first reddit link above perfected the MFD menu and translation into the united that this person "unlocked")

https://www.myg37.com/forums/audio-video-and-electronics/301371-modding-the-oem-navigation-head-unit-gaining-gt-r-mfd-and-other-functions.html

They have confirmed that it should work on every unit from 2010 - 15 I believe, but he is perfecting it on his G37 first.

Now, my question is, where is he pulling/tapping into to get CAN bus data from to translate it into the MFD to be viewed on the unit like he shows on this videos?

He doesn't really go in depth except for what he uses to data log for testing purposes on a dummy unit, plenty of instructions online on how to do that.

Sorry if this is too much to read, I just got really intrigued from all the diagrams, and detailed info you were giving on that old thread. Pretty similar but different situation here.

I'd appreciate any info you can provide and what are your thoughts on this project. For reference I have a fx50 2013.

Thank you!!
Friday, February 20th, 2026 AT 8:18 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
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The CAN bus connects to the AV unit directly so that is likely where he is getting that data. Then it looks like he used blue tooth to intercept the physical sensor data from the engines sensors directly at the engine harness before they are input into the data stream to the ECM, that way you just write code that says what signal voltages represent. IE- 5 volts = 100 psi or 3.4 volts = 180 degrees, to get those values you could use a scan tool that gives you the temperature as well as the signal voltage and write a table similar to the OE tables in the ECM. Then you would write some code into the nav unit showing how to display the data as gauges. It looks like they are pretty much just using the nav unit as a display, similar to using it to control an ipod or phone using blue tooth.
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Saturday, February 21st, 2026 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
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So in other words, data log (SAVVYCAN)>find how to sniff from the CANBUS>translate/transfer data from the sniff point to the AV?

Sounds a bit confusing, I'd love to give this a try on a dummy unit as well and see how it goes. Although he said he is launching it as a plug and play product this late summer. I guess I will wait or, idk.
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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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There are decoders already out there that can grab the data and send it to digital gauges and display codes as well through blue tooth using the dongles that are sold to link to a phone. Not sure if they would link to BT in the vehicle though, never tried it. I try to avoid adding things beyond scan tools to the data bus in vehicles, have seen many times where bugs in them cause problems with some vehicles. Those dongles that the insurance companies like to push are noted for issues. So are many of the real cheap ones out there.
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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
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Oh yeah, I'm always against those dongles, they're up to no good specially those from insurance companies. But when I mention "sniff" I mean it as a "tap" not through the dongle bluetooth etc. Only for readings like oil temps, coolant temps, transmission temps etc. Nothing wireless. Would be nice to find a diagram of both Nav units, one from a GTR and the other infiniti QX/FX sec gen. I'll keep digging then
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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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They both use the same data lines and signal types. However some of the data may be different in terms of how each vehicles code is written. That is one of the reasons scan tools are $$$$ they have to be able to translate all the different protocols and data streams.
These are the various network lines in an FX50 that you listed, the DLC has most of them available. Pins 3 and 11 are the AV network, that covers nav as well. The other lines are there as well but if you look at the diagram, on the far right side you will see the CAN gateway, it is the network security guard, it's job is to prevent anything from accessing the network unless it's a recognized item, like an approved scan tool. However if you get your data before it gets to the gateway, it's fair game. The AV data doesn't go through the gateway however the AV surround view unit (for the birds eye and camera views) does connect to the primary CAN bus, that is the data line he is using to get the signals from. It is also why the "network gateway" doesn't really pose any real threat to thieves, if you could send the correct signals through the open AV unit network you could compromise the vehicles systems. That is why I'm against having all the wireless networking items on modern cars. It's like having a bank vault with the combination and release codes painted on the outside of the door, and the vault is in the lobby!
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 AT 8:23 AM
Tiny
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You might be the most helpful person I've ever come across on the internet.

Very helpful information. I really appreciate you taking your time to share your knowledge! Cheers!

I'm going to do some data log and see what I can come up with in a dummy unit at home and see which Code ID is which. As long as I find speed, rpm and temps I'm cool with that.
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 AT 8:28 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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If you want to play around with it, go download a couple of the free OBDII scan tool apps that are out there for use with the ELM327 based dongles. Most show live data, you would just select out the code that displays the particular PID you want. No need to reinvent the wheel at this point as there are a lot of those out there to give you the basics.
Good luck with it.
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
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Amazing. I wonder if those would also do data logging and allow me to save in specific formats so I can send it through on a spare unit to see how the MFD menu reads the translated values. Considering those settings are by "default" for a GTR, bits and bytes might need to be adjusted when installing the firmware. Or maybe it will just show it as it is, but of course, GTR values are far from being the same as other Infiniti models, in this case, FX/QX that's just another topic. In the meantime I'll just play around with reading values.

Grateful and excited, thanks mate!
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Most are real time but storing data is what a PC was meant for and I store Pico waveforms all the time as well as data streams on the network. Go read up on the protocols used on the networks, then look at translator software, you can run data packets through them and it will try to spell out what the packet is doing. OH and if you want to dig into it a lot more go look up Keith Perkins and take some of his classes, as well as some of the other network gurus he can point you to. Maybe look at Diagnostic Network and the free PICO training. Just be careful and take snacks, the rabbit holes can get very deep when it comes to networks.
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2026 AT 11:15 AM

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