OBD port disconnecting at smog

[zorobabel]

So my 97 Max failed smog 2 times in 2 days because the smog place's device disconnects from the OBD port in the middle of the test. Handheld devices work just fine, at least the 3 I tried..
Aside from cleaning the battery terminals, what else should I try?
Anybody else run into something like this?

 

[spasm3]

Have you tried a different smog shop? Perhaps the problem is with their connector, not your obd port. Their connector gets used much more every day than the port on your truck.

 

[zorobabel]

Have you tried a different smog shop? Perhaps the problem is with their connector, not your obd port. Their connector gets used much more every day than the port on your truck.

Thanks, I plan on doing that tomorrow.

 

[atikovi]

the smog place's device disconnects from the OBD port in the middle of the test.

Physically or electronically? If physically, why not just hold the cable tight against the connector during the test?

 

[Chris142]

Don't disconnect the battery cables. If you do you will have to wait for the monitors to set.

 

[92saturnsl2]

I'd try a different smog place. If a handheld scanner works, so should a diagnostic machine at the place doing the emission test.

 

[bdcardinal]

Are they doing a TSI or dyno test?

 

[clinebarger]

Some cheap handhelds have fatter pins & can stretch out the terminals in the OBD Port.....I have to up-pin OBD Ports to repair the terminals all the time.

Not saying that their cable isn't faulty....But they do depend on it to do other vehicles??

 

[zorobabel]

Physically or electronically? If physically, why not just hold the cable tight against the connector during the test?

Unfortunately I don't know. They said it is not getting power from my car.

 

[zorobabel]

Don't disconnect the battery cables. If you do you will have to wait for the monitors to set.

Did that already yesterday, but drove it around some since, don't see any sensors not ready.

 

[zorobabel]

Are they doing a TSI or dyno test?

Don't know what a TSI is, but it is on the dyno that it supposedly drops.

 

[zorobabel]

Some cheap handhelds have fatter pins & can stretch out the terminals in the OBD Port.....I have to up-pin OBD Ports to repair the terminals all the time.

Not saying that their cable isn't faulty....But they do depend on it to do other vehicles??

How do you do the up-pin-ing?
The car in front of me (beetle) had the same problem, but they added power from a jumpstarter to their device to finish the test.

 

[mk378]

car in front of me (beetle) had the same problem

Really sounds like the problem is them, not you. Try a different place before doing much more on this.

Power out through the OBD plug to the scanner depends on a fuse that is often the same as the lighter or radio but you would notice that with your scanner never working either.

 

[clinebarger]

How do you do the up-pin-ing?
The car in front of me (beetle) had the same problem, but they added power from a jumpstarter to their device to finish the test.

I meant un-pin the terminals from the port & use a small awl to bend the "tabs" back down.

But as other have said.....It could be on the shops end.

 

[1uz_4me]

Had a shop unable to connect to my car, went to a different shop & no issues. Most likely it's their equipment.

 

[Dave9]

They've made it your burden but it shouldn't be. BAR oversees the smog program.

File a Complaint

The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s Online Complaint Form...

www.dca.ca.gov

 

[zorobabel]

They've made it your burden but it shouldn't be. BAR oversees the smog program.

File a Complaint

The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s Online Complaint Form...

www.dca.ca.gov

So to update - I went to another shop Friday and smogged it just fine! Could only update the thread tonight, took the Max on a trip.
Thank you all for replying!

 

[JavierH19]

try another place. sounds like their scanner is junk.