OBD-II Port Missing?

[Insane3D]

Hey guys. My girlfriend's '99 Accord has its CEL on, and in NH now you will fail for that on inspection. I have my trusty Auto Enginuity Scan Tool and laptop, and I'd love to find out the code, and what possibly needs to be repaired, but the ECU diagnostic port seems to be missing?

In the information I've found, the location is supposed to be under the dash, on the driver's side, between the steering column and driver's side door, but, well...it isn't. I can see the bracket where the port should be snapped in, but it's not there. I checked well up under, and behind the dash, but I can't see the port loose anywhere.

I have checked codes for a coworker with a '00 Honda Accord, and it's in that location. I see the European models had it in a different area from my searches, but I'm fairly sure this is not a Euro model. So, I'm wondering where the port is, and if it's apparently not where it should be, what reason would it be missing.

I thought that maybe someone had done an engine swap at one point and put in a older engine with no OBD-II port, but the CEL has not been on the whole time, it just came on, and I'm not seeing why someone would put in an older engine and ECU in a car like that.

I'm not real familiar with Honda's, so any help solving this mystery will be appreciated.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Did she buy the car new? That's really odd that it would be missing.

Maybe call the dealership?

 

[Insane3D]

No, she bought it used. I'll get some more info tonight when I talk to her.


Supposedly she bought it from someone who had always owned Accords and was buying a new one.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
No, she bought it used. I'll get some more info tonight when I talk to her.

Supposedly she bought it from someone who had always owned Accords and was buying a new one.

Could it have been modded? Seems odd that even a modder would remove or relocate the OBD II port.

Edit-Check the passenger side maybe?

 

[Insane3D]

I did check all over...I was completely on my back on both sides looking up and under the dash with my shop light. It doesn't seem modded at all...just an generic Honda Accord.

I also looked under the fuse panel cover on the driver's side of the dash, and nothing there either...

Edit:

The part that is strange is the bracket for the port is there where it should be...

 

[Insane3D]

Bump for the morning crowd...

 

[nwfsnake]

This may not help, but on my '96 Accord it is behind the ashtray. Just pull out the ashtray to check.

 

[Insane3D]

I'll check that out...thanks.

 

[Insane3D]

Not behind the ashtray, and apparently the last time it was inspected they did pull codes...so I'm at a loss.

Anyone have any ideas??

 

[luckysnafu]

Take it to Autozone, they will read the codes for free. Let them try to find it for you.

 

[Insane3D]

Thanks, but I've been everywhere they would look. That would be a wasted trip. I spoke to three local Honda dealers and they were stumped too..

 

[mrblotto]

Are there at least any wires or a harness near where you think it would be? Like maybe last time it was inspected the thing just got tore off..... *shrugs*

 

[LTC8K6]

I noticed while googling that people sometimes relocate their OBD ports for various reasons. Perhaps someone has done that?

 

[T2urtle]

why would anyone relocate the port? it doesn't make sense because its almost never in the way.


your OBD port is not missing. its might just be a broken bracket and not its loose somewhere under the dash.


in 96 part of of the rules of OBD II is that a the port be i think 3 feet from the steering wheel. Check the area of where u found the port in your co-workers car. it will be there.

 

[mrblotto]

Get in your car, close your eyes and very quietly say "Marco......??"

Hope you find the little rascal!

 

[bruceb]

On your Accord it should be 'Center Console (Veritcal) on Vehicle Center Line behind Ashtray"

Download the .pdf from this link:

www.nology.com/pdfandzipfiles/obdiiconnectorlocations.pdf

It tells where the connector must be placed for all model years

 

[Insane3D]

I already have that PDF...thanks. If you look closely, those comments are for the '96 and '97. The '99 is location 2, and it's not covered.

As for relocation, I can understand why you'd do it. On my Speed, I used to hook up the AutoEnginuity to have real time readings while I drive from the car, as well as data log to the laptop. The OBD-II port on my car is right above the brake, pointing down. Trying to drive with the AE tool connected to the port in it's stock location, it get's in the way of brake operation due to it's orientation. I originally popped mine out and had it stuffed up underneath with the AE with the USB cord run into my center console .

As to it hanging around under the dash, as I said earlier, I've been on my back on both drivers side and passenger floors, and had my hands way up underneath the dash pulling on any visible wire bundles for a loose port. I could not find one. I won't have access to the car for another week or so, otherwise I'd be out there right now looking again.

Thanks for the advice guys...hopefully I'll resolve this at some point.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Insane - just take it over to a Honda dealership and let them look for it. Just say you can't find it and let them find it for ya. Least it'll solve the "mystery" of whether it's actually truly missing or not. Yea, you can say it'll be a wasted trip, etc, but least you'll have it figured out.

 

[mwmorph]

I'm ot sure if this still holds true, but a lot of cars have a 2nd port under the hood somewhere.