1996 XJ and OBDII

I've read several threads about OBDII on this forum.
I have a question.

According to one thread some 96 XJs will display codes by flashing the CEL after a "on-off-on-off-on-off-on" ignition sequence? My old Reliant did that.

I have a '96 XJ that was built later in the year with VIN build serial # in the 200K range.
I have an AutoEnginuity OBDII PC based reader/scanner/controller.
I is a relatively advanced unit that works well on all my other vehicles.
I hooked it to my XJ and it says it can not connect to the OBDII device.
I it possible that my XJ is OBDI ?
The CEL went on, just as I was pulling it into the garage to replace my cracked exhaust manifold.
Is there anything special I have to do to get the 96 to connect to my scanner?

If you were able to plug the OBD-II scanner lead into the vehicle, then it's OBD-II - the ChryCo OBD-I plug had a different form entirely.

The "cannot connect" thing would make me wonder tho - try installing your RTFM interface (RTFM = Read The Farkin' Manual) and see if there's anything you should know.

Note that OBD-II codes can take one of three formats...

Decimal: this is what you'd get if the CEL/MIL were to "flash out" a code for you.
Hexadecimal: this would be what a PC-based or palmtop-based scanner would get natively.
SAE Standard: this one is what you'd get out of a scan tool. It would take the form of "LETTER 0/1 xxx". The letter tells you the system, the "0" indicates an SAE standard code/1 indicates manufacturer-specific code, and the last three digits are the code itself.

A breakdown of OBD-I and OBD-II codes are on my website, in the Tech Archives. This listing is probably not quite compleat, but I've culled it from FSMs, so they should be correct.

Thanks Kelly, helpful info on your site.

4wheelnfun said:

Thanks Kelly, helpful info on your site.

Click to expand...

That's why it's there - and glad to be of help.

Trying to build a "one-stop shop" for general Jeep tech. Hell, I'm digging most of it up anyhow while I'm researching my books...