What to do if the OBD II scanner doesn’t communicate with the vehicle

Last updated on October 1st, 2023 at 06:47 pm

When it comes to diagnosing vehicle issues, one of the first steps is to use an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) II scanner. This tool allows you to retrieve error codes and other information from your car’s computer system, helping pinpoint the source of any problems.

However, what happens when your OBD II scanner doesn’t communicate with your vehicle? In this guide, we will explore some potential causes and solutions for this issue.

Possible Causes

There are a few reasons why your OBD II scanner may not be able to communicate with your vehicle. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Faulty Scanner – The first possibility is that your OBD II scanner itself is faulty. This could be due to a hardware or software issue.
2. Broken OBD II Port – Another potential cause is that the port where you plug in your scanner is damaged or malfunctioning.
3. Disconnected Wires – The wires connecting the OBD II port to the vehicle’s computer may be disconnected or damaged, preventing communication.
4. Dead Battery – If your car battery is dead or low, the OBD II scanner may not be able to establish a connection.

If the scan tool does not receive data from an OBD II vehicle

TEST 1: Connect the positive DMM lead to DLC pin 4 and the negative DMM lead to the negative battery terminal, using jumper wires if necessary. Do not connect to the body or chassis ground but to the battery terminal directly.

With the ignition on, the voltage drop across the ground terminal should be 0.1 Volts or less

TEST 2: Repeat for DLC pin 5

NOTE: An open circuit or high ground resistance means that the PCM will never enter diagnostic mode.

TEST 3: Voltage check on DLC pin 2. (does not apply to a Mazda MPV)

PCM transmits data on this pin

Connect the positive DMM lead to the class 2 Serial Data pin and the negative DMM lead to either pin 4 or pin 5 or a known good groun

Troubleshooting Steps

TEST 1: Connect the positive lead of the Digital Multimeter (DMM) to DLC pin 4 and the negative lead to the negative terminal of the battery. If needed, you can use jumper wires. Ensure that you connect directly to the battery terminal and not the body or chassis ground.

With the ignition turned on, the voltage drop across the ground terminal should be 0.1 Volts or less.

Test 2: Repeat the procedure for DLC pin 5.

Note: If there is an open circuit or high ground resistance, the PCM will not enter diagnostic mode.

Test 3: Perform a voltage check on DLC pin 2 (not applicable to a Mazda MPV).

The PCM transmits data through this pin.

Connect the positive lead of the DMM to the class 2 Serial Data pin, and the negative lead to either pin 4, pin 5, or a known good ground.

With the ignition on, the voltage on the class 2 serial data pin should be 5V or fluctuate between 3.5V and 5.0V. If the circuit is open, the PCM will be unable to transmit data to the scan tool.

With the Ignition on, the voltage on class 2 serial data pin should be 5V or fluctuating between 3.5V and 5.0V, If open, PCM cannot transmit data to the scan tool.

When it comes to diagnosing vehicle issues, one of the first steps is to use an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) II scanner. This tool allows you to retrieve error codes and other information from your car’s computer system, helping pinpoint the source of any problems.

However, what happens when your OBD II scanner doesn’t communicate with your vehicle? In this guide, we will explore some potential causes and solutions for this issue.

Possible Causes

There are a few reasons why your OBD II scanner may not be able to communicate with your vehicle. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Faulty Scanner – The first possibility is that your OBD II scanner itself is faulty. This could be due to a hardware or software issue.
2. Broken OBD II Port – Another potential cause is that the port where you plug in your scanner is damaged or malfunctioning.
3. Disconnected Wires – The wires connecting the OBD II port to the vehicle’s computer may be disconnected or damaged, preventing communication.
4. Dead Battery – If your car battery is dead or low, the OBD II scanner may not be able to establish a connection.

Troubleshooting Steps

TEST 1: Connect the positive lead of the Digital Multimeter (DMM) to DLC pin 4 and the negative lead to the negative terminal of the battery. If needed, you can use jumper wires. Ensure that you connect directly to the battery terminal and not the body or chassis ground.

With the ignition turned on, the voltage drop across the ground terminal should be 0.1 Volts or less.

Test 2: Repeat the procedure for DLC pin 5.

Note: If there is an open circuit or high ground resistance, the PCM will not enter diagnostic mode.

Test 3: Perform a voltage check on DLC pin 2 (not applicable to a Mazda MPV).

The PCM transmits data through this pin.

Connect the positive lead of the DMM to the class 2 Serial Data pin, and the negative lead to either pin 4, pin 5, or a known good ground.

With the ignition on, the voltage on the class 2 serial data pin should be 5V or fluctuate between 3.5V and 5.0V. If the circuit is open, the PCM will be unable to transmit data to the scan tool.

TEST 4:

Connect the positive lead of the digital multimeter (DMM) to the positive terminal of the DLC battery. Connect the negative lead of the DMM to the ground terminal of the battery. The DMM should display the battery voltage. This test is performed to check the voltage supply to the ECM, as a lack of power could be due to a blown lighter fuse.

TEST 5:

Connect the positive lead of the DMM to either of the DLC bias terminals. Connect the negative lead of the DMM to the ground terminal. With the ignition key turned ON and no bus activity, the BUS + reading should be 0V and the BUS reading should be 5V. With the ignition key turned ON and bus activity present, the voltage reading should vary from 0 to 5V, depending on the level of bus activity.

ADDITIONAL NOTES PCM receives battery voltage (B+) through a fuse or fusible link. Check for an open circuit. An open ground or power (B+) circuit on a fuel-injected engine removes power from the ECM and prevents the engine from starting.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Old PCM is fried, see the attached picture when attempts are made to communicate after fixing the wiring problem.

The new PCM is functioning properly. However, it’s worth checking the fuse box (Power Panel) as it could potentially be the cause of the PCM’s power supply and communication issues.

TEST 4:

Connect positive DMM lead to DLC Battery + terminal Connect negative DMM lead to battery ground terminal

It should read battery voltage

This tests the ECM Voltage supply as no power may be caused by a blown lighter fuse

TEST 5: Connect positive DMM lead to either DLC bias terminals Connect negative DMM lead to the ground terminal

With the ignition key ON and no bus activity, BUS + should read 0V BUS should read 5V

With the ignition key ON and bus activity, the voltage should vary from 0 to 5V depending on the amount of bus activity!

ADDITIONAL NOTES PCM receives battery voltage (B+) through a fuse or fusible link. Check for an open circuit. An open ground or power (B+) circuit on a fuel-injected engine removes power from the ECM and prevents the engine from starting.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Old PCM is fried, see the attached picture when attempts are made to communicate after fixing the wiring problem.

The new PCM works fine.

Check the fuse box (Power Panel), it might be the reason why PCM isn’t able to receive power as well as communicate.