Intermittent OBD2 connector.

I have a 1997 Subaru Legacy. When I plug in my scanner to the OBD2 port, the slightest little jiggle in the cable will kill the power to the scanner and then it has to reboot. I've tried another scanner and it does the same thing. Is there an easy way to tighten up the pins in the car's OBD2 port so that it stops cutting out?

Thanks for your replies.

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David Farber 
Los Osos, CA
Reply to
David Farber
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It's old. Maybe the surface has got some contaminant.

Contact cleaner spray?

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Adrian C
Reply to
Adrian Caspersz

I think I already tried the DexIt spray. It's been touchy for so long, I don't remember. I'll give it another shot.

Thanks for your reply.

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David Farber 
Los Osos, CA
Reply to
David Farber

Replacement OBD2 plugs/sockets are readily available, as are videos on youtube on how to replace it. It is probably not worth farting around with the plug unless you have the correct pin extraction and crimping tools.

Most connectors are good for 20 to 100 insertions after that they deteriorate gradually or rapidly...

John :-#)#

Reply to
John Robertson

So if I'm not extracting and crimping in new pins, how am I connecting the old wires to the new plug? It occurred to me that if the entire display is going blank, that would indicate that the 12V supply pin and/or the ground pin is cutting out. Correct? That shouldn't be too hard figure out. I do find it amazing that after 20-100 insertions, the plug's integrity would be compromised.

Thanks for your reply.

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David Farber 
Los Osos, CA
Reply to
David Farber

The spec sheets for crimp pins and connectors is eye opening...many Molex pin connectors are only rated for 25 connections - after that it is anyone's guess how long they will last. Amp and other connectors are much the same.

Heck even electrical outlets start to fail after 50 or so insertions - ever notice how a socket you use for the coffee pot feels looser and the plug seems warmer than it did when they were new?

John :-#)#

Reply to
John Robertson

On 4/30/2021 2:35 AM, John Robertson wrote: [snip]

In my limited experience (sample size of 1) that's not true. I have a toaster that I only plug in when I use it. Which is 1-2 times a week, for 20(?) years: 1000 or 2000 times & no noticeable looseness.

Reply to
Bob Engelhardt

ve a

eek,

That anecdotal report agrees with my findings as well. :-)

Thanks for your reply.

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David Farber 
Los Osos, CA
Reply to
David Farber

-

ave a

week,

Yeah, I hear you. I can't find a PDF on life expectancy of NEMA 5-15 plugs/receptacles (North America), but my experience is perhaps 100 to

200 insertions one starts to notice the socket doesn't grab the plug as well. Our kitchen has an outlet that we tend to plug the toaster (a few times a week) in and after ten years it is noticeably less well held than the outlet above it - which we now use.

If you leave a plug in an outlet there is no reason to assume it won't last the rated 50+ years of a NEMA 5-15R, but my point was there is a limit to the number of insertions beyond which any connector starts to fa il.

John :-#)#

Reply to
John Robertson

il.

My employer switched us all to laptops because we're teleworking half time each. So we have the computer in a docking station at one location with co nnection via an USB-C, and at home just on a power cord and wifi. That's a lot of connecting and unconnecting on the USB-C. Figure 200 plus work day s in the office with an insertion/outsertion cycle daily; i wonder when the y will get flakey.

Reply to
Tim R

That often depends more on the lateral forces you apply to the connector than on the number of insertion cycles.

You can insert it quite a number of times, but one inadvertent jerk because someone steps on the powercord which hangs from the device at the edge of the table to the floor and it is gone.

Reply to
Rob

Not if it's using Magsafe.

Reply to
Lucifer

You don't want to find out - it will invariably mean lost data.

Keeping them clean is of top importance. Once dust, grit or grease gets into the equation, replacement may be the only reliable option.

Ratings for power connectors have reduced insertion counts because they involve monitored voltage drops at high current. Obviously, use at less current or for shorter time periods will mask their reduced ability for cntinuous rated use. As long as it doesn't burn before the toast pops, you're satisfied.

Signal connections are a different story and require different materials and test methods. Again, as long as the pins you need work, while you're using them, you're happy.

Combined signal and power (ie USB) are a can of worms, though often only one function may be required of a multipurpose connection at one time.

RL

Reply to
legg

Do they make male/female adapters for usb c ? I had them for usb on my work laptop to save the ports.

KenW

Reply to
KenW

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