PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

OBD2 port connectivity issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 24, 2015 | 08:56 PM
  #1  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default OBD2 port connectivity issue

the car is a 1999 Camaro V8

I cant pull the tune with HP Tuners as it gives me "unable to locate VCM" and cant log the car through scanner as it wont pull the parameters of the car which im guessing is because it cant read the car. The port is getting power as the cable will get power without it plugged into the computer. The computer is reading the cable as the cable gets power when only plugged into the computer. I oem'ed the data pin from the ecu to the plug and it checks out fine. Its not the cable or HP Tuners itsself as it will log my 2003 silverado and my buddies 2002 camaro just fine. Im borrowing a cheap code reader tomorrow just for the heck of it to see if it reads. Just not my car. Any help?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 06:02 AM
  #2  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Bump....
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 06:50 AM
  #3  
N20zuki's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Elizabeth City NC
Default

As silly as it sounds, does your cigarette lighter work?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:46 AM
  #4  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Yes. The port is getting power fine. That fuse is not blown.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 02:03 PM
  #5  
RonSSNova's Avatar
8 Second Club
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 814
From: Portland, OR
Default

The OBD reader will likely work which will add to the confusion. I have the same issue on a buddies car.

Have you asked on the HPT forum?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 02:11 PM
  #6  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by RonSSNova
The OBD reader will likely work which will add to the confusion. I have the same issue on a buddies car.

Have you asked on the HPT forum?
I'm sure it will. Have you gotten anywhere with the problem on your buddies car?

Not yet
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 02:17 PM
  #7  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

Does the car have an aftermarket remote start or alarm? I see some of those that tap into the purple data wire on the OBD2 plug that will interfere with some programmers. It's usually on trucks I see that problem. I have to disconnect where they tap into the wire to get Tunercat OBD2 to work.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 02:34 PM
  #8  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 2xLS1
Does the car have an aftermarket remote start or alarm? I see some of those that tap into the purple data wire on the OBD2 plug that will interfere with some programmers. It's usually on trucks I see that problem. I have to disconnect where they tap into the wire to get Tunercat OBD2 to work.
Nope..
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 05:39 PM
  #9  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Diablo sport handhelp will power on but not read trouble codes or log ect
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 07:00 PM
  #10  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

At this point you should test the PCM with a bench harness.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 07:09 PM
  #11  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 2xLS1
At this point you should test the PCM with a bench harness.
You would think if it was the PCM the car wouldn't run.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 07:12 PM
  #12  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 2xLS1
At this point you should test the PCM with a bench harness.
how would i go about bench testing a computer?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:29 PM
  #13  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

Originally Posted by speedfreak2685
You would think if it was the PCM the car wouldn't run.
I recall a similar thread where it did turn out to be a bad PCM.
The PCM has many inputs and outputs; sometimes just one input or output circuit gets fried. A long open-ended line like the OBD2 circuit could pick up damaging static electricity.
The 411 PCM is readily available for $89 pre-configured for your VIN and a few other parameters.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:36 PM
  #14  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by mrvedit
I recall a similar thread where it did turn out to be a bad PCM.
The PCM has many inputs and outputs; sometimes just one input or output circuit gets fried. A long open-ended line like the OBD2 circuit could pick up damaging static electricity.
The 411 PCM is readily available for $89 pre-configured for your VIN and a few other parameters.
That's not bad at all. Could I take the computer out of my buddies 2000 or 2002 and put it in my car just to see if the port will connect? Obviously I wouldn't start the car. Just hook it up to see if it acts fine when I connect hp tuners
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:42 PM
  #15  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

Yes, I think that would be a safe thing to try.
Just be sure the PCM connectors are the same color, the PCMs look identical and your connectors fit into the swapped PCM.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:50 PM
  #16  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

All you need to plug in is the blue connector. You could also plug your computer into the other vehicle. Again, blue connector only. Power, ground and data is all done through the blue connector.

You can build a bench harness with just a blue connector, a few wires with the pins, and an ALDL connector with it's pins.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2015 | 08:55 PM
  #17  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by mrvedit
Yes, I think that would be a safe thing to try.
Just be sure the PCM connectors are the same color, the PCMs look identical and your connectors fit into the swapped PCM.
Good deal. I'll go rob his this weekend. Lord I hope this fixes it!
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2015 | 03:22 PM
  #18  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Swapped computers, still won't work. I even swapped batteries out of my truck with no effect
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2015 | 11:23 AM
  #19  
speedfreak2685's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Default

Anyone else got an idea? I swapped the pin for the data on the plug but that didn't work either.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2015 | 01:22 PM
  #20  
Becker's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Default

I am literally chasing this problem to a T....four readers nothing works...powers it up just fine..

heres something funny on mine, a bluetooth dongle works perfectly through torque app.. nothing else

I read one fix (sounds crazy) battery voltage too low, I read a thread that it was the exact same as our craziness but as soon as he hooked up a tender to it then it worked..

OF COURSE, california made it illegal to purchase battery charger/tenders so I have yet to try it... Maybe jumper cables to another vehicle just to throw it out there.

Like I said it sounds so stupid and crazy but I am going that direction, that or ordering a new plug and replacing it..probably a pushed up pin.

Please try something along the lines of above to let me know
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:06 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE