I have a 1996 F150 4.9 pickup that I'm have been unable to get any data out of the Data Link Connector. I have a check engine light on in the dash and when a OBDII tester is hooked to the connector, nothing happens. The test just has a "blank" not turned on appearance. Anybody have any ideas on what to check before I'm force to pay BIG bucks at a dealership?
Thanks for your time.

 

Are you sure the tester works?

 

It's been tested in 2 different shops with the same reuslts - nothing!

 

check fuse for data link power, sounds as though there is none.

 

Do you know if anyone ever got codes from that connector?? My 95 Explorer has both the OBDII and the EECIV/OBD1 connectors. OBDII is under the dash and EECIV is under the hood. The OBDII connector did not work at all ever, so I had to retrieve codes from the EECIV connector. 95 (and maybe 96) was the transitition year for Ford to go from EECIV to OBDII. That's why mine was built with both connectors but only one was operative. MAYBE if you have a very early production 96, you have the same setup. Just a thought...

Mike

 

I have a 1996 F-150 5.0L that I bought yesterday. While test driving it, I noticed the engine light came on during cranking and never went off. I went to Auto Zone to see if they could check it out. The guy hooked up an OBBD II checker to some plug under the dash on the passenger's side. It didn't show anything at all. His sensor/checker was blank. After he checked my truck, he checked a car parked next to mine and his checker worked fine.

"check fuse for data link power, sounds as though there is none."

Check the fuse? Which one? Will it say on a diagram?

Thank you very much,
jasonwho

 

I think you should look for the eeciv/obdI connector under the hood.

 

I also have a 96 f150 and have had the same problems w/ the code reader being blank.. where would one find this other data connector under the hood?

 

The EECIV/obdI connector is under the hood on the drivers side fenderwell. It has a trapozid connection on it.

 

Thanks for the info EECIV/odbI connector location. I am currently replacing my heater core so I will look under the hood for the connection. I'll get it checked out and let everybody know how it goes.

 

If it has it under the hood, it would be at the top center of this picture near the left hood hinge. The connector in that photo is for the cruise servo, which this truck doesn't have. It also doesn't have the EEC-IV connector because it's a '96 OBD-II MAF truck (4.9L).

BTW
I hope you're not trying to replace the heater core from under the hood - you should be working through the glove box.

 

My '96 does not have an EEC-IV connector. My '87 Thunderbird does, so I knew what to look for. My trcuk was made in 11/95. I am not missing any fuses (besides one which is apparently only for deisels) and none are blown. I found the Owner Guide in the glovebox. I checked it against that.

canarycary, magic-dot, please let me know what you find out.

Thank you,
jasonwho

 

The data link connector on my truck is just ro the right of the ashtray. I found that the fuse (#16 - cigarette light/diagnostic tool power) was blown. Replaced the fuse and the data connector link works. Thanks (late) to every body for their responses.

 

first off, you dont actually need a code reader. your data link connector (or eec self test connector),is located on the drivers side fender up by the fire wall and hood hinge.(you already know this.) there really is not much to protect it from dust, dirt and corrosion, other than a loose fitting plastic cap. make sure this is squeaky clean so you get a good connection. there are two connectors under this cover. one is slightly trapezoid shaped with 5 pin slots,- three across the bottom and two across the top. the other connector (usually grey) is a single wire with only one pin slot. here's what you do: holding the larger of the two connectors in your left hand, place a jumper wire on the "signal return pin". this is the one on the top-right. take the other end of the jumper wire and connect it to the "self test input" (sti) wire. this is the single wire connector. make sure of your connections, and make sure your battery is hooked up. next, with a note pad and pencil, get in the vehicle and turn your key to the "on" position. watch your "check engine" light. it will take a few moments to initialize, but once it does, you simply count the series of blinks the same as you would with a code reader. you may get 4-5 or more codes, but more oftem than not, you will get one that will pinpoint your problem. the rest of the codes will be because the engine is cold, or not running. this is "falsing". i know this because i have been trying to locate an electric fuel pump malfunction. the code reader i was using was faulty and i discovered that on the '87-'96 f-150 thru f-350's, code readers are not even necessary. i have finally isolated the problem, by the way. now i just need to locate the root cause and repair it. if anyone is interested, it will be in the "electric fuel pump problem" thread later tonight. be absolutely certain of your connections, and make sure they are getting good contact and you can save yourself the price of a code reader, which essentialy, does nothing more than what i just described. come back in here with your codes (if you dont have the code book) and someone will tell you what they mean and hopefully pinpoint your problem. hope your problem is a simple one.
still immobilized ford-itude

 

P.S. my truck (1994 f-150) has both the eec self test connector under the hood, and the the data link connector under the dash, below the ashtray. it is probable that these give diffrent codes. not sure what your looking for, but hopefully either way, you locate the problem. hope this helps.

ford-itude