95 OBD1 with OBD2 plug

[bigbadwhopper]

My daughters car says it is OBD1 on the emission sticker, but has the OBD2 plug. I know this was a tranition year (95) between the two systems, but I can't figure out how to read the codes. I know an OBD2 reader won't work and I can't jump the two pins. Anybody know Of a code reader that will work? Thanks

Register today for free or log-in if already registered to remove this ad!

[1Gary]

Yepper-GM had a big transition yr in 1995 in a number of it's stuff in 1995.Use the scanner that is the same as the plug.

[bigbadwhopper]

Thanks for the response, but I tried with a OBD2 scanner (thats what the plug is for) and I juse get error since the system is OBD1. I heard The dealer has a scanner that will work, but was hoping for a cheaper route.

[95SonomaDriver]

I have a 1995 GMC Sonoma that has an OBD2 port. I have tried several "over the counter" OBD2 scanners on it but none of them have worked. They all will draw power from the connection but none of them would communicate with the computer. I found fairly nice scanner from Craftsman on clearance last night and decided to give it a try. Same result (although this one actually had a display where I could see it attempting the various protocals, kinda neat). This scanner actually had a tech support number so I gave them a call and was told there is a KNOWN and fairly common problem with various 1994 and 1995 General Motors vehicles: OBD1 computers but OBD2 connection ports. A mechanic friend (who unfortunately lives 3 hours away) has a scanner made by SnapOn that will connect and read. I'm assuming that the SnapOn scanner somehow detects what is happening on each pin and adjusts accordingly on it's own.

I'll add that the emissions sticker on my truck does NOT have the OBD2 certification marking. Oddly enough, I assumed an OBD2 port meant I had an OBD2 computer...Silly me.

I'm planning to get an OBD2 and OBD1 cables along with a diagram of the pinouts and hack them together then connect to an OBD1 compatible scanner or find a scanner that already accounts for this stupidity.

I'm also wondering if this merits a Class Action lawsuit since they paired up incompatible hardwares (the on board computer and the port you have to use to connect and diagnose it). This is the sort of thing that "heards" owners into "Stealership" repair shops (where they have more sophisticated scanners that can get around the manufacturing f-up) instead of being able to do the work yourself or take it to a less expensive shop. To me this is either an intentional bad design or a case of running out of correct computers or correct wiring harnesses and simply sticking something in that would still work without regard to the diagnostic problems it would cause consumers (and probably a lot of repair shops).