1996 was the year that they went to the industry standard connector and interface. Is there any way I can read the trouble codes from my 1995 VdP without spending thousands of dollars? I have the DVD which appears to contain the translations of the codes.

 

Hi Jon, My XJ6 was built in 9/94 and I can read the engine codes with my Ultragauge, but not abs or body codes.

if you have access to a generic reader, which I'm sure your mechanic has, plug it in to the OBD port located near your right knee, assuming you are in the drivers seat of a LHD car.

 

Hi Jon,

I recall reading that all the '95 model year X300s were deemed "fully OBDII compliant" with the exception of a few issues considered trivial (which were corrected on later models). I don't believe you should have any problem using a standard scanner on your '95 to read most or all of the generic OBDII codes. As RJ mentions, to read the proprietary ABS and Body codes you would need a dealer-level scan tool.

See this post for a list of OBDII scanners that have been tested by forum members, including a couple that have been tested on '95 models:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...22/#post175598


If your phone is an Android, you might look at the inexpensive bluetooth OBDII adapters such as the ELM327 models available on eBay, used in conjuction with the even less expensive Torque Pro app available from the Google Play store for USD $4.95. I suspect it might work with your car. Perhaps another member can confirm:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...l.torque&hl=en


I believe there are now some comparable alternatives for iPhone users but I don't know any of the details.

Cheers,

Don

 

Fascinating. I do recall that when they did the emissions test onmy late '96 CJS they just connected to the connector, but the same station stuck a sensor in the tailpipe on the '95 VdP. Of course now the VdP is old enough that they don't check emissions.

But I do see I have a connector of some kind down there.

I do have an Android and I'll definitely try eBay.

 

Yes, '95 X300s (at least the 6 cylinder cars) are OBDII compliant but. as mentioned, you won't get ABS and Body codes with a generic code reader. If your scan tool allows you to view live data be aware that the '95 system is a little weird....um....not fully developed.....and you might get some readings that don't make sense. Lots of archived discussion on this.

Cheers
DD

 

Well, a generic code reader did not succeed in reading any codes. The local dealer says that the '95 had the connector but was not OBDII compliant. Seems that my six cylinder VdP just can't be read other than by a dealer.

 

Jon, I wouldn't give up just yet.

I have a '95 XJ6 and an Innova 3130 (or 3120, can't remember and it's in my trunk at the moment) and it reads my codes, however, IIRC i have to select "1996" for my car (as no 1995 year shows in the display) to use the reader. Maybe try this if you haven't.

Best of luck.

 

Jon:
Re-read the above comments. You probably have some configuration incorrect. The OBD communication standard used on the X-300 is ISO 9141.

Many of us regularly read codes from a MY 95 X-300 with generic scanners. I have used several different ELM 327 based interfaces and as Don says, they can be had for less than $25.

Your dealer no doubt believes the BS he is feeding you, but, plain and simple, he is wrong.