If someone asked you to check if the BCM is communicating to the CEM over the CAN, would you think to check it with the AMDS? Uh – can you repeat that in English please! The official Aston Martin Workshop manual is bristling with Acronyms, and knowing what they mean will make taking care of your Aston go a lot easier.
Recently Dean Bufton posted what looks like an insider guide to understand all the jargon over on the Aston Martin DIY (All Models) Facebook group [thanks Dean!]. I’ve pinched it and reformatted it a bit here for all of us to share. [If someone knows the original source of the document I’d be happy to credit it here – just leave me a comment down below]
If you are into DIY for your Aston, you might want to join this Facebook group. It’s very active and I learn a nugget or two from it each week. Click here and ask to Join the Group if you aren’t already a member.
If you haven’t downloaded your own official copy of the Aston Martin Workshop manual for your car, please check out my article on how you can get one.
Now on with the TLA’s (three letter acronyms) …
| Acronym | Meaning |
| +ve | Positive (for example Battery Positive) |
| -ve | Negative (for example Battery Negative) |
| ABS | Anti-lock Braking System |
| A/C | Air Conditioning |
| ACCR | Air Conditioning Clutch Request |
| ACCS | Air Conditioning Clutch Signal |
| ADM | Adaptive Damping Module |
| ALR | Automatic Locking Retractor |
| ALT | Alternator |
| AMDS | Aston Martin Diagnostic System |
| ARS | Airbag Restraint System |
| ASM | Auto Shift Mode |
| AUU | Auxiliary USB Unit |
| AUX | Auxiliary |
| BATT | Battery |
| BCM | Brake Control Module |
| BDS | Battery Disconnect Switch |
| BNTSW | Bonnet Switch |
| BOO | Brake On/Off |
| BPM | Bluetooth Phone Module |
| BPM | Body Processor Module |
| BPS | Brake Pressure Sensor |
| BRK | Brake |
| BT | Boot Harness |
| BUZ | Buzzer |
| CAN | Controller Area Network |
| CAN VENT | Canister Vent |
| CCM | Carbon Ceramic Matrix |
| CCM | Centre Console Module |
| CCM | Climate Control Management |
| CEM | Central Electronic Module |
| CFC | Chlorofluorocarbon |
| CHMSL | Central High-Mounted Stop Lamp |
| CLTP | Clutch Position |
| CLTS | Clutch Sensor |
| CLTSPD | Clutch Speed (Gearbox Input Speed) |
| CMS | Catalyst Monitor Sensor |
| CTANKRQ | Crank Request |
| CTO | Clean Tachometer Output |
| CRM | Convertible Roof Module |
| DDM | Driver’s Door Module |
| DI | Direct Indicator |
| DIAG | Diagnostic |
| DIM | Driver Information Module |
| DPFE | Differential Pressure Feedback |
| DSC | Dynamic Stability Control |
| DTC | Diagnostic Trouble Code |
| DTC | Dynamic Traction Control |
| ECL | Electronic Column Lock |
| ECM | Electronic Control Module |
| ECU | Electronic Control Unit |
| ECU | Emotion Control Unit |
| EDF | Electro Drive Fan |
| EGR | Exhaust Gas Recirculation |
| ELR | Emergency Locking Retractor |
| ESCL | Electronic Steering Column Lock |
| EVAP | Evaporator |
| EVFRRIZ | Electro Valve Frizzione (Clutch Valve) |
| EVR | Electrical Vacuum Regulator |
| F/BACK | Feedback |
| FC | Fascia Harness |
| FEPS | Flash EPROM Power Supply |
| FPDM | Fuel Pump Diagnostic Monitor |
| FPM | Fuel Pump Module |
| FPM | Fuel Pump Monitor |
| FW | Forward Harness |
| GND | Ground |
| GPID | Gear Position Indicator Display |
| GPS | Global Positioning System |
| GSL | Gear Selector |
| HEGO | Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor |
| HID | High Intensity Discharge |
| HLM | Headlamp Levelling Module |
| HMSL | High-Mounted Stop Lamp |
| HRW | Heated Rear Window |
| HVAC | Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning |
| HYDPMP | Hydraulic Pump |
| HYDPRES | Hydraulic Pressure |
| IAM | Integrated Audio Module |
| ICE | In Car Entertainment |
| ICM | Ignition Control Module |
| ICM | Infotainment Control Module |
| IGN | Ignition |
| IONIDM | Ionization Detection Module |
| IP | Instrument Panel |
| I/P | Input |
| IPATS | Integrated Passive Anti-Theft System |
| ISO | International Standards Organization |
| ISW | Inertia Switch |
| IVD | Interactive Vehicle Dynamics |
| KAPOWER | Keep Alive Power |
| LED | Light Emitting Diode |
| LF | Left Front |
| LH | Left Hand |
| LHD | Left-Hand Drive |
| MAF | Mass Air Flow |
| MFD | Misfire Detection |
| MFDM | Misfire Detection Module |
| MFP | Modulated Fuel Pump |
| ML/KLM | Miles/Kilometers |
| MMM | Multi Media Module |
| MMM+ | Multi Media Module Plus |
| MOST | Media Oriented System Transport |
| NAV | Navigation |
| OBD | On Board Diagnostics |
| OBD II | On Board Diagnostics II |
| ODO | Odometer |
| O/P | Output |
| OSS | Output Speed Sensor |
| PAM | Parking Aid Module |
| PAS | Power Assisted Steering |
| PAT | Passive Anti-Theft |
| PATS | Passive Anti-Theft System |
| PCM | Powertrain Control Module |
| PCV | Positive Crankcase Ventilation |
| PDI | Pre-Delivery Inspection |
| PDM | Passenger Door Module |
| PHM | Phone Module |
| PPS | Pedal Position Sensor |
| PRE_TEN | Pre-tensioner |
| PRV | Pressure Relief Valve |
| PSM | Power Steering Module |
| PTEC | Power Train Electronic Controller |
| PWGND | Power Ground |
| RCM | Restraint Control Module |
| RH | Right Hand |
| RHD | Right-Hand Drive |
| RKE | Remote Keyless Entry |
| ROPS | Roll Over Protection System |
| ROT | Repair Operation Time |
| ROV | Rollover Vent |
| ROW | Rest of World |
| RSE | Rear Seat Entertainment |
| RX | Receive |
| SAS | Steering Angle Sensor |
| SC | Steering Column Harness |
| SCP | Service Communications Protocol |
| SIG | Signal |
| SLM | Security Locking Module |
| SMM | Select Shift Mode |
| SRO | Service Repair Operation |
| SRS | Supplementary Restraint System |
| TACHIN | Tachometer In |
| TCM | Transmission Control Module |
| TCU | Transmission Control Unit |
| TMC | Tandem Master Cylinder |
| TMC | Traffic Message Channel |
| TP | Throttle Position |
| TPM | Tire Pressure Module |
| TPMS | Tire Pressure Monitoring System |
| TPS | Throttle Position Sensor |
| TVM | Total Vehicle Maintenance |
| TX | Transmit |
| VAPS | Variable Assistance Power Steering |
| WDS | Worldwide Diagnostic System |
| VMV | Vapor Management Valve |
| VPR | Vapor Recovery |
| VREF | Voltage Reference |
| VSS | Vehicle Speed Sensor |
| VVT | Variable Valve Timing |
| YAW | Yaw rate sensor |
Aston 1936 
Hi Steve your post on acronyms was most apropos. A recent AMOC Forum post and reply to our James E Bond under ” transmission problem ” with his Vanquish was littered with them. It had me running the internet to figure out what they meant. Can Scan Stream etc. One that you may like to add is “octopus test” mentioned in the Forum Post. I’ll be sure to print the list off
Keep up the good work. John in Vancouver . P.s. 2 day Aston & Friends Victoria July 23-24
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Hi Steve,
I believe the link to downloaded an official copy of the Aston Martin Workshop manual etc has now changed to https://technicalhub.astonmartin.com/
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