NB lack of OBD socket

[mazdad]

I'm puzzled because, although my MX 5 is a 2002 RS JDM model, it doesn't appear to have an OBD port of any style, anywhere! It does have a grey adaptor marked 'DIAGNOSIS' on the left hand wheel arch in the engine bay with 11 of the pins connected. This sounds reminiscent of the NA diagnostics connector I've read about. However, as I understand it the original OBD system had been available on much earlier MX-5's.

I've searched the 'net looking for some information on this in vain! Any ideas?

[Mark]

http://codes.rennacs.com/Petrol-Engine/ ... ngines.php

I think investigation of the above link will show how to use the diagnostic connector with simple "bridge" between pins and an LED to read codes, with lookup of codes in their database. It's been a while since I looked, but I think these codes sometimes also correspond with OBDII codes.
There are readers which will interface with the Mazda diagnostic connector, but the only ones I could find were expensive professional tools rather than cheap ebay/trademe type OBDII tools.

I have come to the conclusion that while it's a pain in the neck not to be able to have the option of a simple plug-in OBDII tool, it's also a 2-edged sword having the additional complexity of OBDII. The purpose of it was mainly for emissions control monitoring where a fault code often due to a faulty sensor, connection, or engine modification would result in a check-engine light and a rejection of "smog test" certification. In the end, you might be happier not to have it.

[mazdad]

http://codes.rennacs.com/Petrol-Engine/ ... ngines.php

I think investigation of the above link will show how to use the diagnostic connector with simple "bridge" between pins and an LED to read codes, with lookup of codes in their database......

Hi Mark,

Thanks very much for that, I'd done quite a bit of searching myself but this is the best info on the subject I'd seen.
I'll give it a go later today.

Eric