M. H. Corbin, LLC OBD-II Vehicle Distance Translator Technical Manual
Version 3.0 Page 8 of 9
Examples of inadvisable operation follow:
Matt wants to measure the length of a guard rail. Matt pulls up on the side of the road to
the start of the guard rail and configures his NiteStar DMI to start recording distance.
Matt accelerates to 55mph and drives past the end of the guard rail, stopping
measurement and taking a reading as he passes the end.
Mike wants to measure the length of the guard rail. Mike is on the highway travelling 50-
60mph and does not want to pull over to make a measurement. Mike starts
measurement as he passes the beginning of the guard rail, and decides to pull over at
the end of the guard rail. Mike brings the vehicle to an aggressive stop engaging the
antilock brakes on the vehicle or causing the tires to skid, immediately stops
measurement before the NiteStar DMI has finished incrementing distance, and takes a
reading from the NiteStar DMI.
In the scenarios listed as inadvisable operation, the trip is not “complete” from the perspective of
the NiteStar DMI due to the delay that exists between a change in the vehicle’s actual speed,
and when the vehicle’s ECU has recognized this new speed.
6. Troubleshooting
Recommendations to troubleshoot several potential issues are presented below:
6.1. NiteStar DMI is not registering distance
Please have the user perform these steps:
1. Ensure the vehicle is in the on state and engine running.
2. Unplug the OBD-II VDT from the vehicle,
3. wait 5 seconds,
4. and plug it back in.
5. Next, ensure the OBD-II VDT is plugged into NiteStar DMI’s “POWER” port and
not “DATA” port.
6. Ensure the NiteStar DMI is not displaying “Count Hold” or “Display Hold” and is
otherwise operating properly (see your NiteStar DMI operation guide / user’s
manual to verify proper configuration).
7. Drive vehicle.
If NiteStar DMI is still not registering distance, follow the steps listed under Section 7
“Returns” to have the user return the device to the dealer for a replacement. If the
replacement also does not work, the vehicle may not be supported (unless the vehicle
was manufactured prior to January 1st 2000, this is unlikely). If the replacement does not
work, the dealer should record the make, model and year of the vehicle the user is using
the device in, and inform M. H. Corbin. of this data.
6.2. User has to perform the steps listed in Section 6.1 every time vehicle
is shut off
Dealer should record the make, model and year of the vehicle the user is using the
device in. In addition, if possible, obtain a voltmeter reading of the battery voltage of the
