OBD port not working

Tiny
LARRY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 167,000 MILES
I went to get my car inpsected this morning and the technician plugged in to the OBD port under the dash. He was not able to get the connection to work. Now I need to figure out what is wrong.

This also happened two years ago that the technician couldn't get the port to work. It took us a while, but after jiggling the wires we finally got it to work.

I suspect it is a physical conector problem like bent pins or dirty pins or something simple like that. The car is 14 years old, so that wouldn't surprize me.

any suggestions as far as replacing or cleaning the connector?
Tuesday, July 31st, 2012 AT 6:25 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
See if power on two terms in ALDL.
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:30 PM
Tiny
LARRY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Okay, I found 12v between pins 4 and 16. Also 12v between 5 and 16. What should I check next?
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:30 PM
Tiny
STEVIEK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE
Computer problem
1995 Buick Park Avenue 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Apparently I have an OBD1 computer with an OBD2 connector. The pinout will not work with an OBD2 scanner.

The check engine light came on after the car suddenly started backfiring and idleing erratically. I know there is a code in the computer but I don't know how to retrieve it. With OBD1 you can jump pins A&B and get the code from the check engine light. But in this configuration, I don't know where A&B are.

The pinout is as follows
(it's a 16 pin connnector. * = No pin and x=pin:

* * x x x * * x
x * x * * x * x

Can you help me?

Thanks
Steve
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
You need this guide to help and the diagrams below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/198357_Graphic_97.jpg



Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVIEK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Raz and Doc,

Gentlemen, Thank you for answering my question so quickly. I'm still in a quandry though.

The problem is I have an OBD1 computer, but I don't have the OBD 1 connector shown in Raz's illustration. I have an OBD 2 style connector If you look at the pin out I diagrammed you'll see that it doesn't match the pinout of the OBD1, or the typical OBD 2. Since the computer is an OBD1, I think it still has the A&B pins, just in a different location.

Doc, I'm not familiar with a Tech 1. I've seen other OBD 2 scanners, but I get linking errors because the pins in the scanners don't match the pins in the 16 pin connector on my Buick, since the computer is an OBD 1.

Some of the more expensive OBD2 scanners have cables for OBD1, but they're for the typical connectors shown in Raz's illustration. Which I don't have on my car.

Most auto part stores will not let you return a scanner, and I'm concerned that if I buy one that doesn't work, I'm stuck with it and will be out of a lot of money.

Wow, sound's like I'm rambling. Sorry. It's just a bizzare problem.

Any further input guys?

Thanks again for your help
Steve
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Sir, I viewed your DLC it has the 16 pin IAW Mit1 ondemand.com and also it requires the use of the Tech1 to pull the OBD1 codes.

Conversion trouble codes from the OBD1 codes to OBD2


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_dtc1_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_dtc2_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_dtc3_1.jpg


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_dtc4_1.jpg

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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVIEK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Rasmataz,

Thanks again for your efforts! Is a tech 1 commercially available or is something that only a dealer or shop would have?

Steve
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Dunno if its commercially available but the dealership should have it, maybe some reputable shops.
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RON LOCHRIDGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The dreaded "1.5" OBD I have a 1995 Buick Park Ave also. There are only 6 pins in the 16 pin ALDL I had to bust out the cash for a code reader that will work on it I got an ACTRON CP9690 that works well. The bad news is plan on shelling out about $250.00. The good news is, it comes with adapters and it will work on any other makes and models you need to test.
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Thanks for the that addition. This post was over 10 years old so it probably did not help them but I am sure that will help others that visit this site and find this post just like you did.

Let us know if there is ever an issue that we can help you on.
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 3:31 PM (Merged)

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