WHAT IS AN OBD CONNECTOR?

On Board Diagnostics (OBD) is a system connected to the vehicle's electronic central and makes it possible to read and transmit various types of mechanical data, which are done through a standardized interface. In 2010, OBD2, which is the evolution of the system in question, began to be adopted.

This whole pattern came from the need to reduce the emission of polluting gasses. It all started with the electronic injection systems that, over time, began to improve and pointed to a more economical scenario. With the diagnosis done electronically, repairs are faster and sometimes the need to take the car to a mechanic shop is reduced.

Do you need to connect to your car’s computer for diagnosing issues and analyzing its efficiency? You surely need to learn to wire OBD2 Connectors.

It is a complex process and must require proper wiring connections to bring it to working conditions. 

BENEFITS OF THE OBD2 CONNECTOR

The benefits of the OBD2 system for the driver are great. It can help identify any minor problems that may go unnoticed, but that could cause major damage in the future. The system also makes it possible for your car to run the way it was designed, resulting in greater fuel savings and reduced wear and tear on parts.

In more modern cars, when the OBD2 system detects a problem, it is corrected automatically, without any intervention by the driver, which generates even greater savings for the person.

UNDERSTANDING PINS OF THE OBD 2 CONNECTORS:

Before wiring up the connector with your vehicle’s PCM or other devices, it is important that you know what pins would be integral in connection formation. So, here are they:

Pin 2 – serial data line

Pin 4 and Pin 5 – Ground line

Pin 10 and Pin 16 – source battery

These are all the pins you need for establishing a connection. However, in some cases, your vehicle’s PCM might have the other wires, so you can connect them with the other pin ports too. But without any of these essential wire connections, you will not be able to communicate with your PCM, which makes all these pins essential.

OBD2 ON SMARTPHONES

When the OBD system and, consequently, the OBD2 were implemented, there was a standardization of data, which caused a drop in the costs of the equipment used to visualize such diagnoses. Smartphones nowadays do everything, including applications that allow the reading of the OBD2 system. Now, you can have your car data on your cell phone screen.

You can download it from the AppleStore, Google Play or Windows Phone virtual stores. You download the application and use it through a special OBD2 connector via the USB or Bluetooth input.

WIRING OF THE OBD 2 CONNECTOR:

First of all you must find out if your vehicle is OBD2 compliant. If so, it will have a 16-pin female connector inside the vehicle, on the driver's side. Gasoline vehicles that have been manufactured since 2001 have this system, but some from 1996 onwards also have it.

It all also depends on the type of reader you are going to use. A Bluetooth reader will be connected in the car and will transmit to your cell phone and respectively to the app. If you use a notebook, for example, the connector can also be Bluetooth or USB

Step 1: Hook up pin 4 and Pin 5 (ground wires) to form a single wire. In a few cases, it might work separately. But if the equipment does not allow it, it can create problems in communication. Once hooked, you can connect it with PCM.

Step 2: Pin 2 will go to port 58 on the blue connector on the PCM

Step 3: Connect Pin 10 and 16 to 12V battery source. This current has to be constant. It must not be considered as an alternate to the primary power source.

With all these wires set up, your OBD2 connector is in place to read and write data to and from your vehicle’s PCM.