Where is the OBD-II port?
Look under the driver’s side of the dashboard first. The OBD-II port is a wide, slightly tapered socket with two rows of eight slots. It’s where your code reader plugs in.
Start at the driver’s footwell
Open the driver’s door and shine a flashlight up under the dash. Start below the steering wheel, then look toward the door and the edge nearest the center console. The socket may face down, which makes it hard to see from the seat.
If you still can’t see it
Some vehicles tuck the socket behind a small cover. Search your owner’s manual for “data link connector,” “DLC” or “diagnostic connector.” If the owner’s manual leaves it out, use the service information for your exact model and year. For a 1994 or 1995 vehicle, check the emissions label under the hood for OBD-II certification. Some cars from those years have a 16-slot socket and still use an earlier system.
Plug in the reader while parked
Follow the scanner instructions for the ignition position. Line up the wide side of the plug with the wide side of the socket. If it won’t slide in with light pressure, check the orientation and look for damage before trying again. Keep the cable away from the pedals.
The reader stays dark or says “no communication”
If a reader that draws power from the car stays dark, check that the plug is fully seated. The vehicle manual or fuse chart can help you find the fuse that supplies the connector.
If the reader powers up but can’t connect, check the ignition position and the tool’s vehicle coverage. “No communication” means the scan didn’t connect. Save that message if you take the car to a shop.