OBD2 port, is this factory?

[Frenchy]

Because it's not just a plug -- it's basically a box with circuitry. Something like that could easily tamper with intended functionality or influence readings by devices (i.e stuff DEQ depends on) trying to monitor the vehicle.

Except that the only way a device can do that is be resetting things in the PCM. If devices did that so easily by just plugging in then you would have plenty of signs while driving the vehicle if you can get it started.

Sponsored

 

[RDJTX]

When I had to get emissions tested today, the people at the facility insisted both that this connector is not factory -- and that it is illegal.

They weren't sure what to make of it, and they eventually agreed to test me (which was good because my registration expires next week) but it made the process take much longer.

I would want them to cite documentation that proved it was illegal. If they cant identify it how do they know it’s illegal?

 

[Max Crafter]

This truck is totally stock. There is a cam for lane control, but it would be weird for an official package to draw juice this way

was referring to the OP with a used 1500 mile truck. Which I now see was a million year old thread resurected.

 

[Max Crafter]

I would want them to cite documentation that proved it was illegal. If they cant identify it how do they know it’s illegal?

this might be a good start:

Its sketchy enough to raise a red flag.

 

[Dgc333]

A lot of the larger auto insurance companies are pushing devices that plug into the OBD port that track your driving habits and promise a break on your premiums if you drive the way they want you to. Progressive is the most visible with their Snapshot device.

If plugging something into the OBD port was illegal the EPA would be all over the insurance companies for offering them.

 

[banerjek]

A lot of the larger auto insurance companies are pushing devices that plug into the OBD port that track your driving habits and promise a break on your premiums if you drive the way they want you to. Progressive is the most visible with their Snapshot device.

If plugging something into the OBD port was illegal the EPA would be all over the insurance companies for offering them.

There's a useful distinction between plugging a device (which can be removed) into the ODB port and providing a different port for the state to plug into when they want to check emissions.

The whole reason they held me for awhile there was nothing that they recognized as a factory port. This process is normally super straightforward and no one else was getting held up. Trying to figure out why any automaker would provide an interface that confuses people who spend all day every day plugging into these ports. It's not like they've never seen a Ford truck before.

In any case, my goal is to just get in and out fast without getting entangled in the state bureaucracy.

 

[Dgc333]

There's a useful distinction between plugging a device (which can be removed) into the ODB port and providing a different port for the state to plug into when they want to check emissions.

The whole reason they held me for awhile there was nothing that they recognized as a factory port. This process is normally super straightforward and no one else was getting held up. Trying to figure out why any automaker would provide an interface that confuses people who spend all day every day plugging into these ports. It's not like they've never seen a Ford truck before.

In any case, my goal is to just get in and out fast without getting entangled in the state bureaucracy.

IMHO, if they didn't recognize that something was plugged into the OBD port I would say they are not competent for the job. I have a blue tooth dongle that I plug into my port so I can wirelessly monitor the engine with my phone. I have forgotten to remove it when I have gone in for inspection and the tech just unplugs it and goes about his business. The OBD2 standard defines the configuration of the port connector and it's location.

They don't check emissions, they check for diagnostic trouble codes the lack there of is an indication the engine is running within parameters. Having two OBD ports doesn't make much sense.

 

[Big Blue]

OK, unless I'm missing something we have not seen what @banerjek is talking about in post #11. The only picture I've seen is from the OP, and that definitely looked like a power take off. The current discussion sounds like something entirely different that we haven't been shown.

 

[TheAssuager]

What blows my mind - and this thread is evidence of it - is the fact that in this day and age of information on the internet, how little everyone knows about these sketchy ass KARR alarms, security systems, kill switches and GPS trackers that ALL dealerships install on their new and used cars. I have a KARR thing in my Ranger and I can't find anything online about removing it. Hard to even discern what wires are factory and not. They suck! Obviously a practice that's here to say but when I become President I am outlawing them.

 

[9zero1790]

this might be a good start:

Its sketchy enough to raise a red flag.

allow me to translate this epa / govt document.
The Revenue militia has discovered that defeating devices and tampering with electronics that the government has not taxed and not made a profit on or taken over are being used. someone is making money that we are not getting kickbacks from. This must stop until we figure out how to subsidize it. oh and clean air...

 

[taralon]

I would like to point out that the initial poster who provided the picture, and the person complaining that they were held up in emissions because of a non-OEM port are two different people. Additionally the poster complaining about the non-OEM port and emissions issues has not provided any photographic evidence of the issue.

For all we know they have had a obd2 splitter cable installed with a tracker/power take off installed and the free female end hanging loose.

 

[VAMike]

What blows my mind - and this thread is evidence of it - is the fact that in this day and age of information on the internet, how little everyone knows about these sketchy ass KARR alarms, security systems, kill switches and GPS trackers that ALL dealerships install on their new and used cars. I have a KARR thing in my Ranger and I can't find anything online about removing it. Hard to even discern what wires are factory and not. They suck! Obviously a practice that's here to say but when I become President I am outlawing them.

pick a different dealership; "ALL" simply isn't correct.

 

[banerjek]

OK, unless I'm missing something we have not seen what @banerjek is talking about in post #11. The only picture I've seen is from the OP, and that definitely looked like a power take off. The current discussion sounds like something entirely different that we haven't been shown.

It is different -- I should get a pic. It's some kind of in line box. You have to unplug something to get to the ODB port which is in the box. My gut reaction was to remove the box, but it's not something that was just plugged in. Also, unplugging to get to the ODB port, but doing so, caused terrain mode warnings to appear.

What I find interesting is that others are not seeing this in their trucks. My truck is one of the really early ones. But it was ordered straight from the factory and I paid in cash so there's no reason to expect them to install anything extra that I didn't pay for.

Sponsored