would my 94 v8 4.6l have an ODB2 or ODB1?

[Mafils]

am hearing mixed information from everywhere :/

Autozone tells me 96+ only and can't diagnose my car. However, someone on the boards said that they can od any year.

Called them back up and they said its only for ODB2. You probably have an ODB1.

So, asking the thunderbird experts - which do i have?

[J_ROC812004]

obd2

[Mafils]

thanks a bunch!

[njdjh2o]

You car might have OBD1 and OBD2, depending on the automaker.
Like the 1994 Nissan Maxima have both in, but 1994 Mitsubishi Galant on have one.

The federal government required all automake put the same OBD2 system in every car starting in 1994.

To find out if you have OBD2 IT IS right under the dash on the driverside of the vehicle directly below the steering column.(required by law)

OBD1 is on the passenger side somewhere,

Thanks

[squibb94tbird]

If u guys dont mind telling me whats a ODB1 or ODB2? I'm new at cars and i'm learning more and more everyday. thanks

[njdjh2o]

How can I explain it, OBD (On Board Dianostic) 1 is when each automaker set their on rule on how their codes is read. But when Customer and Technician started complaining the federal government stepped in and required all automaker have the same code for the same problem for every car they make with came the birth of OBD 2.

The car do a self test to make sure on the safety features, like brakes, airbag, work. Plus the emission control features and some mechanical parts work the way it supposed too.

If something is not working the way is suppose to that is when the check engine light come on if is a mechancial problem. If it the airbag (if equipped) will come on, or the anti-lock brake (if equipped) will come on. If it does it will store a code in which you will need a scanner (which is the best form) to read it or some car you can read them on with out a scanner. You have to ask how that is done.

But, you car still can have a code without turning on your check engine or safety feature lights. It is call a stored code, the is when something happen just one time. It could have been because it was to cold ( your O2 sensor read to low) or your anti-lock brake sensor could have been block by dirt. So you have to regularly check it. Because when you go to get your car inspected, they will check it and if they find any codes your car will fail.

[squibb94tbird]

Ok thanks for that info i somewhat understand now. My car is a 94 4.6l and i have a plug on the passenger side under the dash it says something like Dianostic plug or something like that on it. You said before that a plug on the passenger side is ODB1 but i have the same car as Maflis and u said he had a ODB2 which was under steering column. I dont have anything under column.... Sorry for being a pain.

[Mafils]

mine wasnt under steering, it was under passenger

[njdjh2o]

Then he have a mid year car. The automaker is not going to throw away anything they do have too. So they use what is left and when that stock is all gone they start with the new equipment.

That is why you have OBD1 and your friend have the OBD2.

[contrinsic]

you should have both( ODB1 and ODB2). i had a '95 SC and it did, so did my '97 LX. so im thinking yours should as well. hope this helps, i also hope auto doesnt try to fuck with either.

[8ate8]

3.8ls were OBDI until 96 when they switched to OBDII. 94-97 4.6ls were OBDII as well.

[1980rm400]

I have same probnlem My 94 lx 4.6l has connector under dash on passenger side but does not fit the obd1 scanner connectors are verticle on the car not horizontal like the obd1 ford code reader I assume now that it is obd2 or mayB I need some kind of adaptor?

I recently added restore oil additive to my oil at oil change...and within 1 week it was running like a bag of crap and finally the engine light has come on steady all the time...oil pressure is fine no knocks or anything terrible just running like crap....Ive stopped driving it till I can figure out how to scann it and assume the additive has caused a emissions system problem...any idea's as to the possible addive problem and what eec reader i need?

Thanks (im also doint a HID projector retro fit on it,,,any1 done this on a t-bird)

[thunderbirdcoupe89]

I do the obd scans at work. if it has the scan plug on the passenger side, autozone can scan it as a '96'. even though its a 94, the codes will read out the same as a 96, as long as the plug fits. this is the only way I can get our machine to work on those year cars.