On Board Diagnostic Connecter II - OBD II Connector

Actually 1994 would be an OBD I diagnostic. I think there are a few brands that might be able you to load it on the diagnostic tool and then from the tool download to PC. I think I saw an ad this week in the back of Car and Driver for such Diagnostic OBDI that has a USB interface as well.

 

You can run the diagnostic test and count the check engine flashes. Then look up the code/s it gave you.

 

Sadly that only works on US spec cars.

 

what type of adapter do we need. I have a '95 355 and Im looking to get a reader also. The only thing is that each manufacturers plugs are different. You need a seperate adapter for a ford, chevy gm etc. Im assuming that Jap + euro cars have thier own also. Anyone know the answer?????????????

 

Jake,

Your '95 355. if it is a North American version, has a standard OBD II type connector that will allow you to retrieve diagnostic codes and reset lights with a standard OBD II code reader (such as EQUUS's INNOVA 3100). The connector is located below the steering column just to the left - the manual will show where.

I bought the INNOVA just to reset false check engine lights that went on intermittently. Unfortunately, Ferrari uses proprietary codes that only their version of an OBD II reader, called an SD2, can read. These readers are available only at Ferrari service centers and a select few independents. The proprietary codes are not available - check a post I did on the subject several months back.

If I reset a code I log it and then later have the mechanic do a SD2 analysis to determine if anything is really wrong. I just hated to see the Light!

Before someone mentions that I shouldn't reset the CE light, I knew that the light was because of a sensor problem rather than a real engine or smog issue, so you so have to be responsible about the use of an OBD II reader. Always have a mechanic check that a major problem does not exist.

Hope this helps...

 

1995 is not OBD II compliant. Only 1996 and newer.

 

Correct..on the 95 car's U.S one anyhoo..there is a button right near the ECm's in the engine compartment. But before the button is pressed, you must connect the diagnostic plug together, (you will see these guy's hanging around by the ECM). One the connection is made..turn the key to "on". Go back the the ECM and push the button for about 3 seconds. The engine light for either "check engine" 1-4 or "check engine" 5-8, depending on the ECM being tested will begin to flash. These flashes represent seperate numbers in a 4 digit trouble code. I have the code chart..but I don't have a scanner (hmmm Christmas!!) but if you pull the code I'm sure either myself or someone else here could tell you what is means. If you want to clear the code...push the button for about 10-15 seconds and the code should clear. Then disconnect the diagnostic connector.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks for the description, Could one do any harm in clearing a code that before knowing what it means? Would clearing the code make the bank start up again if one of the banks had failed?

Thanks

 

Your question has limited info but, I'll try to answer. You can clear codes at anytime but they may reappear. It's not going to fix the problem if, let say you have a defective sensor that's activating the ECU to turn the CEL. What is going on with the engine? need more info to try to explain further. Regards, Vern

 

My 1-4 CEL came on today, and shut down the bank. It was after a short drive then an hours wait after i washed the car. I figure water got into somewhere it shouldnt be.

I guess i was wondering that if i cleared the code perhaps the bank would start up again, and if the problem no longer existed (evaporation perhaps) that the light would stay off.

I can post the code tomorrow, but not sure how long it would be til i got a response here.


So could clearing the code start up the bank?
Could any damage be done by clearing the code between the time it is cleared and the time the computer re-issues the code?

Thanks

 

After you washed the car huh? did you wash the engine? If not, it might be coincidental that the light came on. In a lot of cases when a bank is shut down the exhaust temp sensor ECU is acting up. you could clear the 1-4 codes and start the engine and see what happens your not going to hurt anything by doing that. If the light comes back on then the next step is to read the codes. I didn't ask, what year and model of car is this?

 

Hello
It is a 95, 355.
I did not wash the engine, and purposely made efforts not to spray water into the engine bay area. The area looked very dry when i looked at it, and there is no evidence of water spots, so i am not even sure it got that wet.

If it is the exhaust temp sensor, i have heard this can be disconnected. Where is the part that should be disconnected? Perhaps i should just try doing that as well.

This situation happened once before, long story short, replaced the cats. I put about 500 miles on the car, and was disappointed to see it do it again.

Thanks

 

Hi Ian, You can disconnect the ECUs they are on the backside middle of the shock towers. Little black boxes. When you unplug them your slow down lights will come on but this way you can check to see if they are causing your problem. The engine will run just fine with them unpluged. If that is the problem then the bank should come back online. hope this helps. Regards,Vern

 

Thanks for the input. So with the slow down lights on, you just ignore them... it is not as if the computer will see them on for some period of time and start taking the liberty of shutting down banks or anything will it?

THanks

 

I'll try to make a long explanation short so bear with me. The cats have a temp probe in the them(don't get me started on the reason for this)if the cats get to hot the probe tells the ecu this and inturn signals the engine management ecu to shut down the respective banks injectors that it thinks is overheating(usually a bogus message). The probe ecu appears to not have any effect on the engine or the engine ecu if you unplug it other than turning on the dash lights. I am not recommending you leave them unplugged, this concept will tell if that is what is causing the problem. Banks that are shut are usually caused by this malfunctioning ecu vs. the cat actually being to hot, it may or may not be your problem but it is where I would start. Regards, Vern

 

Thanks, i will keep this info in mind.