Comments on Issue 87 Articles

[JDancoe]

Well, I don't know how I can directly comment on the articles by staff writers, so I thought I'd post here and maybe my comments will filter back.
Just a quick note on Rob Patton's "TDResource"- pg. 40. "If I'm not mistaken, we didn't see on-board diagnostic plug-in ports until 1996."
All of the 1992 & later 1st gens. I've seen have diagnostic connector in the wiring harness in the engine compartment, left side-below the hood hinge. I have a "Pro-Link 9000" DDR that connects there and allows me to check a variety of functions using that connector.

Regarding John Martin's article on motor oils in "Backfire"- I've read several of his oil related articles in other issues as well, and always find them interesting and informative.
One item I've not seen (I might have missed it) is any discussion of by-pass lube oil filters. I worked many years in the OTR trucking and Off-Road fields, and by-pass filters were as common as rubber tires on that equipment.
I personally have used by-pass filters on all my vehicles for many years, and am convinced they contribute to extended oil life and reduced wear.
There are a number of such filter/systems on the market, perhaps one of the TDR staff writers or contributing writers could discuss this in a future issue?
Jack Dancoe

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

The OBD(0) - the plug in was where you have stated on '93 models. That first OBD(0) did not have the ability clear codes just read a limited number of factors of system performance. The 1st gen had a process where by you could use the key and count the flashes to determine a problem. This setup was very limited. Starting in 1994 OBD1 came on which was much better than OBD(0) was. That was the year that the Auto makers decided to play hide and seek with the plugin. You had to figure out where the plugin was - they were very creative in where they were put it.

I think you are right that OBD2 first was clearly visible under the drivers side dash from '96 on. This was mandated I think by the NTSB. You might have to get creative to find the plugin (if it exists) on the 94 and 95 2nd gens.

Bob

 

[DonFitzwater]

94-95's had the connector mounted in the engine compartment, against the fire wall just below where the passenger wiper arm is.

 

[MLee]

How bout under the dash by the drivers knee? 94-95

 

[cerberusiam]

The article is correct, OBD was not an option until 96. The OBD protocal and adapter was mandated and standardized for the 96 model years on vehicles approved for use in the US. Prior to that, there were adapters and they may have been the pre-ODB protocal or not. Each manufacturer had their own protocol and way to read it. OBD, and OBDII, is just a set of PIDS that all manufacturers must implement. They all had their private comm protocols and specific PIDS that only their harware could read, still do.