I went down to get my 1996 XJ smogged and it wont hook up too the machine. It worked fine two weeks ago when I first took it to get smogged, but it failed of course. Im guessing the plug is not getting power so I checked the cigarette lighter fuse and it was popped but I changed that and took it back and it still wasnt connecting to the computer? Anyone have any ideas? Someone please help me! Thanks

 

Did you disconnect the battery during any of the work you did? The ECM needs a certain number of miles to create a data profile, and until the profile is complete, the OBDII connector won't connect.

 

Did you inspect the connector face for bent pins?

 

Good suggestion

I'm assuming you tried it with another scanner tool?

If the above suggestions don't cover it, another thought is something on the OBD bus is shorted. You could try unplugging sensors one at a time and see if the problem goes away.

 

not sure for your year but there is a obd fuse that controls power for that circut. i thinkg its obd2a? just of the top of my head. check all the fuses too.

 

A 1996? That's Renix, or OBDI ain't it?