Hello Jeepers, I’m here to find an answer to this ghost that lives in my electrical compartment! To the point, I bought a Jeep that had sat for 10+ years, I got it running and boy is she mean. Gets up and goes and spins back wheels easily. Does not have any misfires, hiccups, or leaks. Replaced wires that needed loving and now it’s back to the OBD. I’ve done many test and yet still no communication. What I have done so far? I unplugged sensors like CPS, Cam position sensors, ABS fuses, TCM module, and still nothing. On the DLC (Data Link Connector) Pin 16 (Power), when connector to pins 4 & 5 (Oil Dip Stick Grounds) I get a positive reading of 12.6v. As soon as I try and test the CAN Bus (-) & CAN Bus (+) I don’t get a single reading. No mods or after market parts electrical related has been added to the vehicle. To get my recordings, I’m using a Multimeter. At this point I’m absolutely stumped. Done so much digging around and some of the information I just don’t understand. I used a cheap OBD reader that reads my codes and clears them perfectly fine. But when I try and scan the vehicle for I/M test, vehicle identification. It says vehicle not able to communicate. I’m using my higher end FoxWell reader and it’s not reading a damn thing. I need this higher OBD scanner to read because when I took it to smog, there high end OBD machines couldn’t communicate.

 

Foxwell didn't work on my 1996 Cherokee. A cheap blue tooth reader to the free Torque App does work however. Apparently Foxwell isn't compatible with the older Jeeps.

 

That’s interesting, I would have never known of the compatibility issue. Although the cheap scanner does work by reading and clearing codes. It still can not identify the vehicle, giving me a no communications code. Once I figure out what causes this. I can pass smog and get back to off roading.

 

'96 is the 1st year of OBD2 and its my understanding many/most OBD2 readers cannot fully communicate with the '96 XJ or some other '96 vehicles either

I purchased a cheap brand that advertised as working with OBD2, and I use Torque App, but it does not identify VIN, Vehicle type etc

It reads and clears codes and some live data

This may be an issue for you with the authorities, as its a bit of a grey area

The vehicle will raise a code and/or CEL if any anti-pollution device is not functioning

Perhaps you can show them (ie unplugging a sensor)