Experiencing trouble connecting your BAFX OBD2 reader to your 1999 Miata can be frustrating, especially when you’re aiming to diagnose car issues or even reset fault codes. Many users encounter similar problems, often finding their readers work perfectly on other vehicles but fail to communicate with their Miata. Let’s explore common reasons why your BAFX OBD2 reader might not be connecting to your NA Miata and how to troubleshoot these issues.
One of the first things to consider is protocol compatibility. While OBD-II is a standard, sometimes older vehicles, or specific models, can be particular about protocol selection. Your BAFX reader, like many others, likely defaults to an automatic protocol detection mode. However, for a 1999 Miata, manually specifying the correct protocol might be necessary. Consulting your Miata’s repair manual or online forums specific to NA Miatas can provide insights into the OBD-II protocol it uses. Within your Torque app or Car Gauge Lite, investigate if there’s an option to manually set the OBD-II protocol instead of relying on the auto setting. Experimenting with different protocols could establish a connection and allow you to proceed with tasks like diagnosing issues or resetting fault codes if any are present after a successful connection.
Another point of confusion can be the location of the OBD-II port itself. You mentioned finding a port under the fuse box cover to the left of the driver’s knee. While this is indeed the location for many Miatas, it’s worth double-checking for any variations, although for a ’99 NA Miata, the location you described is typically correct. It is less likely that there’s another hidden port, but ensuring you are indeed using the intended OBD-II port is a basic step to rule out any simple oversights. The positioning can sometimes be a bit awkward, and it’s worth confirming the BAFX reader is firmly seated in the connector. A loose connection can also lead to communication failures.
Finally, while BAFX readers are generally well-regarded and compatible with a wide range of vehicles, there’s always a possibility of reader-specific compatibility issues, especially with older car models. Your experience of it working on a ’98 Civic but not on your ’99 Miata suggests this could be a factor. Before concluding the reader is faulty, try it on another OBD-II compliant vehicle if possible to further verify its functionality. If it consistently fails on your Miata but works elsewhere, it might be that your specific Miata model or year has some nuances in its OBD-II implementation that the BAFX reader isn’t fully accommodating. In such cases, researching online forums for recommended OBD-II readers specifically for NA Miatas might reveal models known to work reliably. While it’s less ideal, you might consider trying a different brand or model of OBD-II reader to see if compatibility improves. This process of elimination can help pinpoint whether the issue lies with the reader, the car’s OBD-II system, or a simple procedural step in establishing a connection. Successfully connecting an OBD2 reader is the first step towards being able to diagnose issues and potentially reset fault codes, making it a crucial step in car maintenance and diagnostics.
In conclusion, troubleshooting OBD2 reader connection issues with a 1999 Miata involves checking protocol settings, confirming the OBD2 port location and connection integrity, and considering the possibility of device-specific incompatibilities. By systematically addressing these points, you can increase your chances of successfully using your BAFX OBD2 reader to interact with your Miata’s ECU and access diagnostic information, including the ability to reset fault codes when necessary.
