OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

TommyTott · Post by **TommyTott** » July 6th, 2008, 9:42 am

I want to know if my car is a OBD 2 or OBD 1.
Ive read on the forum that some 94 Mx3 are OBD 2, but I dont know where to check. How can I find out?

The reason I need to know is that I want to make a digital dash with a pc and screen. There are several programs to do this, but almost everyone uses OBD 2.

If my car is OBD 1, I have found one program that uses OBD 1. But what OBD1 readertool can I buy for my car then?

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » July 6th, 2008, 9:49 am

I don't know much because I know mine is OBDI, if you hav 2x O2 sensors and a round air flow meter, you're OBDII. If you have 1x O2 sensor and a box type air box, you're OBDI. also, DOHC is OBDII and SOHC is OBDI. Also, 1994+ is OBDII. 1993- is OBDI

TommyTott · Post by **TommyTott** » July 6th, 2008, 10:01 am

Thanks for a quick answer. But since Im a total noob when it comes to motors, I dont know where to find the O2 sensors, or how they look like. Same with the air flow meter. Can anyone show me in a picture where to look?
Or where i can find the OBD plugs, so maybe I can find out by looking at them?

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » July 6th, 2008, 10:18 am

O2 sensors... they are little things wit a wire coming from them sticking our of your exhaust pipe. For OBDII I believe you're looking at one between the engine and catylic converter and one after. on my OBDI the only one is located right in/below the exhaust manifold (the thing that says HOT on it with a no touching symbol

)
The VAF is.... the thing between the opening of your intake and the engine. If you look under your hood, off the top of my head, theres the air box feeder which is what your hood prop clicks into. follow this to a big black box with clips that you can take off the look at your air filter, and right after the air filter box is your VAF(box shape) or MAF(round shape). Its actually bolted to the top of the air filter box, at least my VAF is. the MAF may just be in the tubing between the filter and the engine. Its the only thing within the entire rubber intake system with a sensor on it, meaning a port with lots of wires heading off into the depths of the mysterious engine bay....

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » July 6th, 2008, 10:24 am

this is a picture that includes my VAF.

............................................................................................................................^

Its painted black, has a backwards D shape of silicone...

TommyTott · Post by **TommyTott** » July 6th, 2008, 10:31 am

Ok. This is my airfilter box.

So is this a MAF and I probably have OBD2?

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » July 6th, 2008, 10:32 am

Thats a MAF, OBDII, yessir.
You also have a DOHC, and your car will be 94 or newer, and... what else, you have the 2 O2 sensors, your dash will have the swivel vents.... something else is different in the ECU and harness, but IDK off the top of my head

TommyTott · Post by **TommyTott** » July 6th, 2008, 10:33 am

YEY!!! You made my day.. Now I can rebuild my dash to get digital instuments.

EDIT: you are correct with the 94, the vents.. I dont know about the others, but youre probably right..

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » July 6th, 2008, 10:36 am

Now that I think about it, I was assuming you have a 4 cyl... Aren't all the V6 OBDII? Anyone? and I see you have a V6, correct?

TommyTott · Post by **TommyTott** » July 6th, 2008, 10:39 am

I hope they are, or that the V6 with MAF are OBD2..

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » July 6th, 2008, 10:41 am

I'm very sure they are, and also you're in Europe. These little details make a difference

Edit, also a MAF is still a MAF may it be in a 4 or a 6, and no matter what its from I can't plug it into my OBDI, so it must be OBDII.

TommyTott · Post by **TommyTott** » July 6th, 2008, 10:51 am

Ok.

If anyone else who are 100% sure can tell me, I would be very happy.

But since you are almost sure, it helps me a lot, so now I can start looking for the best obd2 reader and software.

Daninski · Post by **Daninski** » July 6th, 2008, 11:05 am

Holy clean engine Batman! OK, look under your dash behind the radio from the passenger side. There's a flat box thing under there with wires coming out of it. That's your ECU. If it has three plugs in it it's OBD1 if there's 4 plugs with wires it's OBD2. Too simple. And yes your exhaust manifold will have an O2 sensor and below it will be the O2 sensor monitor if it's OBD2. Check the forums for OBD2 readers to find which ones you can use. If its OBD1, "NO Reader For You"! Just watch the flashing lites. Cheers to you and the Junk Yard Dawg

TommyTott · Post by **TommyTott** » July 6th, 2008, 11:27 am

If I understood right, then I only have a OBD1..

Its hard to see because of the wires, but I think its only three plugs.

Can anyone confirm if its a OBD1 or OBD2??

TommyTott · Post by **TommyTott** » July 6th, 2008, 11:29 am

Also, the reason the engine is so dirty, is because I havent used the car for 2years. Im going to fix it now.

MX-3.com

OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools

Re: OBD I or OBD II, Scantools