MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post

AndrewH · Mar 17th, 2004, 03:48 AM

OBD II doesn't become standard in Australia until Jan 2005. It is essentially a system that monitors the environmental aspects of the engine management system and is used to ensure vehicles sold continue to comply with EPA emissions standards (and that this compliance can be checked by non-dealer technicians such at registration authorities).

I have been advised by someone that has direct experience in this area that some manufacturers actually either switch off the link to the connector, alter the hardware interface or use it to provide non-standard info down a couple of the pins (which I think is the case with the Mini's). Nissan's for example have a totally different connector even though the same vehicles are sold in the US with the OBD II connector.

Don't forget that Minis are sold in more markets that don't require OBD II than those that do. And there are a lot of dealers in these markets that don't want to loose business to other service outlets (and BMW probably don't want dodgy service operators servicing their cars).

There was a very strong lobbying effort on behalf of the vehicle manufacturers regarding the introduction of OBD II in Australia, hence its start date of 2005 when it has been in force in the US since 1996 and even earlier for OBD I.

Mar 17th, 2004, 03:48 AM	#5
AndrewH Were there Oompa loompas? Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canberra Local Time: 05:34 PM Posts: 4,209 Offline	OBD II doesn't become standard in Australia until Jan 2005. It is essentially a system that monitors the environmental aspects of the engine management system and is used to ensure vehicles sold continue to comply with EPA emissions standards (and that this compliance can be checked by non-dealer technicians such at registration authorities). I have been advised by someone that has direct experience in this area that some manufacturers actually either switch off the link to the connector, alter the hardware interface or use it to provide non-standard info down a couple of the pins (which I think is the case with the Mini's). Nissan's for example have a totally different connector even though the same vehicles are sold in the US with the OBD II connector. Don't forget that Minis are sold in more markets that don't require OBD II than those that do. And there are a lot of dealers in these markets that don't want to loose business to other service outlets (and BMW probably don't want dodgy service operators servicing their cars). There was a very strong lobbying effort on behalf of the vehicle manufacturers regarding the introduction of OBD II in Australia, hence its start date of 2005 when it has been in force in the US since 1996 and even earlier for OBD I.