Help! My Check Engine Light Is On!

Whether you are using an auto code scanner in a business, or for your own personal use, there is one very important thing you need to know—where is the OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) connector?

If you are lucky, you might be able to find the OBD connector (also called a data link connector) without a lot of hunting, if you are familiar with the different places that most manufacturers hide them. I use the word "hide" because the manufacturers are not exactly forthcoming about such locations. They want you to come to them for any necessary service.

If you are smart, you can and should have some knowledge of why your check engine light is on before you seek outside assistance. An online or manual search of where that all important connector to plug in an auto code scanner, can be exhausting, and not always fruitful.

Where's My OBD Connector?

While there are websites that provide that information upon providing your auto's make, model, and year, they are sometimes difficult to find and wade through.

There are seventeen typical auto computer connector locations. They are:

1. Behind an ashtray.
2. Bottom dash, above the hood release.
3. Dash on right, underneath.
4. Driver side of dash, above hood release-left hand side of instrument panel.
5. Front of center console, driver side.
6. Front of center console, passenger side.
7. In front of shifter.
8. Inside a cavity, lower dash, but next to center console.
9. Left edge of dash, left of hood release.
10. Left driver side on dash.
11. Lower edge of dash, next to transmission tunnel.
12. Passenger side of the console.
13. Steering wheel, underneath, center.
14. Right driver side on dash.
15. Under driver side of dash, and next to kick panel.
16. Under the glove box on the passenger side of dash.
17. Under the passenger dash.

Keep in mind that the exact location can vary, depending upon the year, make, and model. An example would be a manufacturer that locates the connector under the passenger side of the dash in 1996, doesn't mean that the next year it wouldn't be under an ashtray or somewhere else. Additionally, some connectors are located upside down, so some attention needs to be paid to this factor when trying to connect.

The key thing to remember, is that since 1996, all auto computer code connectors are found somewhere inside the front passenger compartment.

1996-2001 Integra OBD Connector Location

1996-2005 NSX OBD Connector Location

Honda Acura NSX Tribute

1996-2009 RL OBD Connector Location

1996-1999 SLX OBD Connector Location

1996-2009 OBD TL Connector Location

1997-2003 CL OBD Connector Location

2001-2003 MDX OBD Connector Location

2004-2009 TSX OBD Connector Location

2002-2006 RSX OBD Connector Location

2007-2009 RDX OBD Connector Location

Under Cover?

Manufacturers of all vehicles since 1996, have played around with not only the placement of the computer code connectors, but also whether or not they are covered. Some of the manufacturer's will do both.

You'll find that if they are covered, it is with either a rubber or plastic cover, or even a hinged door. It will be necessary to remove, or open this, before you can connect your auto code scanner..

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Comments

Murphy on May 04, 2014:

2000 Acura TL - is above the shifter at the bottom of the dash and you have to pull the cover off.

honda-stream from Canada on May 07, 2013:

A wealth of information! Thanks!

joye on November 16, 2011:

how would someone remap a integra

Glenn Stok from Long Island, NY on August 31, 2011:

It's weird how they keep changing the location. I wouldn't be surprised if they do it to try to make it difficult for people to check their own codes. So people have to pay a mechanic to do it. Silly. Your hub is very useful for owners of these cars. Voted up.

Jerilee Wei (author) from United States on May 03, 2011:

Thanks Tombo!

Tombo on April 06, 2011:

Nice article

Jerilee Wei (author) from United States on October 03, 2010:

Thanks C_Pinto! Glad to be of some help.

C_Pinto from USA on February 25, 2010:

Great info! Thanks for focusing on Accura as I own one myself :)

Jerilee Wei (author) from United States on January 26, 2010:

Thanks Angela Blair! At some level before I knew all about this topic, I knew we had them in our cars, but had no clue where. It's kind of empowering to know where to find the computer connector.

Angela Blair from Central Texas on January 26, 2010:

Thanks - you just answered a huge question for this old lady - I have a Honda Accura and read the Hub, went out and checked and there the darned thing was! Bless you! Best, Sis

Jerilee Wei (author) from United States on January 26, 2010:

Thanks prasetio30! That's one of the things I love about hubpages too, so much to learn from others.

prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on January 25, 2010:

thanks, I get new experience by reading this hub. It was wonderful car.

Jerilee Wei (author) from United States on January 25, 2010:

Thanks Hello, hello! Wanted it to be one source where anyone with any model could get the answer to where their connector could be found.

Hello, hello, from London, UK on January 25, 2010:

Beautiful car and thank you for such a wide information.