6G Celicas Forums

Hey everyone,

So the law changed in my state to where I HAVE to have communication between OBDII and the scanner. but they say they can read an obdi with the same machine. so I was wondering if I could switch to obdI (since the engine is OBDI) and have it tested that way.

any thoughts on this?
Kevin

Almost certainly No.

In most places, if your car came with OBD2 from the factory it's expected to always have OBD2.

IANAL, but i think legally, in the united states, you're not allowed. different states (and even locations within states sometimes) have different laws about what is required for an inspection though, so it may be something the authorities just don't care about in your area.

as far as physical capability goes. not really sure. in my understanding: its about the ecu you use because that is what the code readers talk to. so obd1 ecu means obd1 code reading.

well I have been constantly been told that OBDII can read OBDI ecu's so I just don't understand what is going on. I'm not that car smart and even worse when it comes to electrical stuff (I usually always have someone do that stuff for me).

I mean if there was a way I could just get it able to read that is one thing. even the code pullers wont read anything.

no matter what the vin will show the true year make an model. if you live in states where emissions and inspection is required they will not pass an obd switched car. in lancaster pa there is a milage exemption for emissions if the car is driven under 3,000. also obd1 vehicles only receive a visual emissions inspections, as opposed to a data connection to penndot through the obd port and the results are sent via computer to harrisburg. all cars in my area go through a visual safety inspection. both are done annually. learn local laws. what is the end goal that you wish to achieve?

yeah I understand that, I guess what I am saying is if the local DMV says something like "well can you get OBDI codes read?" and if I can say yes that would be one thing. but really I just want to use my car. Its my daily and I wasn't expecting this to happen (again two years ago, heck last year this wasn't a problem). I guess I am going to have to plead for a way around it, though I doubt the state is going to give a crap.

This post has been edited by Soulend: Jun 5, 2013 - 10:41 AM

I don't understand what the problem is? You need to get a state inspection? Is your CEL on?

Whoever told you an OBDII scanner can read OBDI codes is completely wrong, unless the code reader is specifically designed to also read OBDI.
Also, by federal law you cannot go backwards with your emissions parts, but you can go forwards. So you're not supposed to swap a 94 ECU into a 96, but you can swap a 97 ECU into a 96.

Also, if your car is OBDII and part of the inspection is hooking up the inspection machine to your OBDII port, you can't swap to OBDI and pass the inspection. If they just do a visual it's still illegal, but they may not notice.