LIN Bus

📖 YOUCANIC Automotive Glossary

LIN Bus (Local Interconnect Network) is a low-cost single-wire protocol for simple, non-safety-critical subsystems where CAN is overkill. LIN operates at max 20 kbps with a master-slave architecture — one master (typically BCM or door module on CAN) controls up to 16 slaves. Applications include window motors, mirror motors, seat motors, rain/light sensors, ambient lighting, sunroof, wiper motor, and TPMS receivers.

DIYers rarely interact with LIN directly — LIN nodes are managed by their CAN-connected master module. When you control a window through the BCM via scanner, the BCM translates the CAN request into a LIN command. LIN faults appear as codes in the master module — a faulty LIN connection to a rain sensor triggers a BCM code for rain sensor communication failure. Diagnosis requires checking the single signal wire between master and slave.