I have (courtesy of Father Christmas) an OBD II scanner which happily lets me perform limited brain surgery on the more “normal” cars in the household. In theory I should also be able to use it on the Z as she’s a 1996 Series 4, and it would be a lot less pain than digging around in the footwell and tripping the ECU into diagnostic mode, but I’m confused about how to do this or even if it can be done!

 

I can find online adapters to convert the Conzult plug to an OBD II, but will that actually work? Great if so, but I’m a little suspicious it could be that easy.

 

I also found online posts that suggested there is a second, OBD II port on 1996+ cars, but can’t find anything about where it should be and I suspect that may be a US market thing only.

 

Anybody out there managed to get a generic OBD II scanner working, or is it just a no-go like my old Discovery, which has an OBD II port but speaks in a LR-specific protocol?

 

Thanks for any help!

Mmm... its all about protocol, Nissan used their own Consult diagnostic system on both the early 8 bit and later 16 bit ecu`s. It would be doubtful a generic "scanner would have the correct software on board to "communicate " even with the later 16 bit cars.

 

True OBD11 cars incorporated the canbus electrical system and this is the core of the diagnostic system and is how so much info can be read and coding done from the port, the 300zx was never canbus and as such will not give the info like newer cars.

 

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I thought just getting an adaptor cable seemed too easy. I have seen claims of OBD compatibility but without Canbus I assume it’s only limited data and maybe on US cars only. Back to grovelling in the footwell then! :)

This works. Then use diagnostic app via your android tablet (or android based media stereo )

 

 

http://www.trackelectronics.com.au/diagnostics

Get the NDS1 software for Android. Not expensive.

 

 

Nissan Data Scan

http://www.nissandatascan.com

The Nissan DataScan I is intended for Nissan cars build between years 1989 and 2000.

Someone told me before that the 1996 changes were only applicable to USDM. Not sure if that includes OBD2.

sadly non of the above and including US late models were ever fitted with canbus protocol, remember for that to work, every sensor and module that is connected by the twisted pair would have to be re-engineered to give active data stream, way too much work for the small sales for late models.

 

Just a few of the modules that would need re working to get full OB11 diagnostic

 

ABS unit

Steering ecu

Ecu

Light control modules

Air bag modules

Steering angle modules

Gear box modules

Cruise control module

Steering wheel switch modules

Ac module / system

Complete New stereo system

 

The list goes on and on ... and of course to be fully OB11 compliant for world wide sales the diagnostic port would have to be compliant too and not a Nissan Consult one.

 

 

 

 

Jeff

That Datascan app looks really neat! Unfortunately I’m on Apple only, doesn’t look like they do an iOS version ):

That Datascan app looks really neat! Unfortunately I’m on Apple only, doesn’t look like they do an iOS version ):

 

If my Zed was driveable and reliable I might get an Android based car stereo with a double height screen, I could bluetooth connect my trackelectronics BTconsult and switch between NDS1 gauges, DVR and GPS..... and music . If you can, do it. These things usually have an option to mirror your apple iPhone screen

That Datascan app looks really neat! Unfortunately I’m on Apple only, doesn’t look like they do an iOS version ):

 

You could always buy the windows version of Datascan and use a laptop to connect it to your car. The software is pretty handy but the conZult software is better, with more features so I’d recommend that over the NDS. It is more expensive though.