Using paperclip to read OBDII error codes
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Using paperclip to read OBDII error codes
I hope that I'll be able to get some quick help here. I'm trying to read error codes with a paperclip in my '98 Civic Ex. I was able to get a panel covering the ECU off. I think I figured out which plug I need, but it looks really hard to get to. There's a big ribbon or cable in the way, which isn't easily moveable because it's connected oddly enough to the ECU itself with a plastic band and some kind of screw it seems. And the plug itself, I don't know how to remove. It's absolutely tiny and I don't see an easy way to pull it out without tugging the wires. What do I do?
I believe it's the blue plug in a larger green plug near the top of the image. It has a brown and black wire.
I believe it's the blue plug in a larger green plug near the top of the image. It has a brown and black wire.
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Re: Using paperclip to read OBDII error codes
You found the correct plug.
Press the blue lock tab down (top, center) and remove from the green holder.
Press the blue lock tab down (top, center) and remove from the green holder.
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Thanks for the quick reply. I looked more closely at it with a flashlight, and noticed the lock tab must have broken off at some point. Probably when the ECU was replaced years before I got the car. All I see is an indentation or hole there.
UPDATE:
I was wrong about the tab. It was there, just kind of hidden from the thick green rubber housing. I still couldn't pull it out, so I used a knife to break into the green housing and pulled it out easily after that. I then ran the test, and there's still only one error, which is either error 5 or 41, I think it's the latter because I was told before the code was from a faulty O2 sensor. Hope it's ok I left the paperclip in there.
UPDATE:
I was wrong about the tab. It was there, just kind of hidden from the thick green rubber housing. I still couldn't pull it out, so I used a knife to break into the green housing and pulled it out easily after that. I then ran the test, and there's still only one error, which is either error 5 or 41, I think it's the latter because I was told before the code was from a faulty O2 sensor. Hope it's ok I left the paperclip in there.
Last edited by Cyborg Ninja; Jun 22, 2015 at 06:54 PM. Reason: got it
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is either error 5 or 41,
Long- long- long- long- short would be 41.
Five short blinks would be code 5.
Or...just swing by any discount parts store that's open on Sunday and have them read the OBD2 code.
Hope it's ok I left the paperclip in there.
Remove it before driving.
You can leave the connector dangling under the dash if you want, but take out the paper clip.
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Re: Using paperclip to read OBDII error codes You better figure out how to read flash codes then. Long and short blinks indicate tens and ones place.
Long- long- long- long- short would be 41.
Five short blinks would be code 5.
Or...just swing by any discount parts store that's open on Sunday and have them read the OBD2 code.
Don't drive around with the paper clip in it.
Remove it before driving.
You can leave the connector dangling under the dash if you want, but take out the paper clip.
Long- long- long- long- short would be 41.
Five short blinks would be code 5.
Or...just swing by any discount parts store that's open on Sunday and have them read the OBD2 code.
Don't drive around with the paper clip in it.
Remove it before driving.
You can leave the connector dangling under the dash if you want, but take out the paper clip.
never use a paper clip in your OBDII port as I did trying to program a new car remote and it shorted out my car causing a lot of damage that I had to pay over 200 in diag fees and parts to fix...I wouldnt recommend it just buy a code reader are you that cheap
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It’s been 6 years since this thread was touched, so it appears all went well.
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