I went to get an inspection done and there computer says it can't communicate with my OBD port. Odd thing about that is my reader works fine. So I was overall curious are there like certain pins that may be used by there system vs my OBD reader? Because mine works no issues whatsoever. I went to two shops to get my inspection and both had the same issue so that narrows out that's it's most likely not there wire. The pins do look a little screwed up but that wouldn't explain my reader working. I'm not sure how to take apart the port either I tried sliding to unlock and taking it apart but no luck so unless it's not port related then maybe something else. I also have a remote starter installed from previous owner not sure if that's related. It's a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500.

 

I think there is another post with the same problem. Do a search and see if you can find it. Not sure what the outcome was.

 

The only issue I saw them have was related to pins and no readers working in there port where as I at least have my reader working so maybe it's narrowed down to certain ports

 

Do the shops use a statewide standardized test system ? There are multiple OBD protocols (http://obdtester.com/obd2_protocols), possibly the tester can't autodetect the proper variant or has the wrong info.

 

Hmm not sure. Ones a Dodge dealership which everything seems pretty up to date I used to work there. And the other is a little old local business.

 

If both places have to use the same system with the same (flawed) software it would explain why both had issues communicating with the PCM. Maybe go back to the small local business and show them your low$ code reader has no problem communicating with the truck. The test equipment should use ISO 9141-2 which was already getting dated in 2001 when the truck was built.

 

I went to two shops to get my inspection and both had the same issue so that narrows out that's it's most likely not there wire

 

I've brought my 2006 Charger and 2016 Challenger to the Dodge dealership that I mentioned and neither had problems getting the inspection done. Not sure if they use similar or same OBD protocol. But I said that to both of them and they said oh it must be cause our wires communicate differently meaning there's probably an issue with interference in your OBD port.

 

Not sure if this helps but with my OBD2 reader, I kinda get the same thing, cannot communicate with PCM. I literally have to hook the computer up 5 or 6 times before it wants to work, sometimes turning the truck on, while the connector is plugged in, trying to scan, shutting the truck off an turning the key over once notch and then it will talk.

 

See my reader works perfectly fine but I wonder if the problem is the same as that. I'll have to give that a shot somehow