Well, today I went to go to get my car tested for emissions. Apparently, my car doesn't have an obd2 or something that sounds like that. I couldn't understand a word the guy was saying to me. Its obvious he hasn't lived here too long. Anyway, I'm pretty sure he said an obd2 but then again it could have been an ob2 or od2... It's something that should be right underneath of the steering wheel.

If anyone has any information on what this is and how much it would cost to get the dealership to install it, it would be appreciated.

Ummm, that guy is an idiot. He was saying OBD2 which stands for on board diagnostics. Its basically a standard that the government and car makers adopted for a number of reasons. The thing he was looking for under the steering wheel is the OBD2 diagnostic plug. His machine probably plugs into it and uses it to interface with some of the cars sensors during the emissions check. If your car is older than '96 it may not have it. Mine is a 94 and it has a proprietary toyota diagnostic plug under the hood. Its by the firewall on the drivers side. He'll need a special cable to interface with it but he should have it. He probably is just lazy and is so used to plugging in new cars he didnt' want to have to look for your plug and find his cable and blah blah blah. Just go somewhere else, they should be able to hook you up no prob.

To have OBD2 'installed' youd have to update all the sensors, the ECU and some other stuff to post 1996 spec. It would be very costly and there is absolutely no reason to do it. Find a new emissions guy. >>

It says, "DIAGNOSTIC", on it, right?

Found something that said that right where you said it would be, just making sure so when I go to bitch at the emissions people I don't turn out to look like a jackass.

Speaking of OBD-II , anyone have a recommendation on a good(affordable) hand-held diag tool. or anyone tried any of the PC based diag programs?, I'm looking to spend around 200-400. have a feeling it will be cheaper in the long run than paying these morons around here to do it wrong.

yep,

yeah, thats it.

97GTinKC,

i dont know of any one thing but i would check www.dsmtuners.com and search for data logers(lot of people there use them).

many data loggers plug into the obd2 port and record readings from all the cars sensors. tells you everything and even reset the CEL

Thanks for the help. Guess I'll go on Friday and tear those emission guys a new... That and try to get my $14 back or get them to test it for free.

-yep+Dec 24, 2003 - 10:22 AM

MD has places to go to for emission testing that are run by the MVA or whoever is in charge of cars in MD... I'm going to assume that it is different in other states.