The MIL or OBD check engine lite you can Not even see if its on or not. It is there in the dash and should come on when ignition is on but go off with a running engine. You can not tell either.

I was just using a PO 430 code as I do know that is a common fault code for the auto side since I said I have no training on the auto side but do know a bit about it. That's it and I know that code would never be in this marine engine without a cat and O2 sensors.


I will give a lot more details about this Lexus marine engine. Thanks I wanted to fix the water leaks first, check all grounds and have it scanned, then move on from there to pin point some of these other problems that it has. .

Matt what would be a good OBD II scan tool to buy on the cheap but works well. I most likely will use it maybe 6 times in my life. Also what is the current computer used in the auto world ? I do not think its OBD II currently anymore correct ? Thanks

Matt or COOPs or anyone else familiar with these Lexus engines around. Ayways the question in hand is I am trying to scan this freaking Lexus marine engine finally as this boat / engine had 5 water leaks the largest one was the exhaust muffler box and it is a special app specific for it so it took 4.5 weeks alone to just get that. I could not even run the boat during that timeframe for a couple reasons.

Everything is put back correctly with all related new part installs and so forth as I have never seen a used boat that did not have some sort of problems. Never, whether they are minor or medium or major.

So now at the point to scan this pig so I borrowed a Matco 1500 with freeze frame and live data inwhich I wanted that app - so this OBD II scan tool can not communicate with the ECM and shows error.

I have found that this engine thru the shop manual claims that an OBD II SAE J1978 scan tool will work or the Toyota hand held using a Vetronix diagnostic toolset program card for Toyota Motor Corp - p/n 01002586 will also work . I am better off finding a OBD II but I guess it has to be an older scanner since these newer OBD II scanners will not work with airbag features, ABS and other current features is my guess. .

So my question where in the world do I find a OBD II SAE J1978 standards scanner ? or what is the older Lexus V- 8 Auto engines using from 1996 to 2002 to scan those ? I want to watch live data and have freeze frame capabilities as well. Or am I - SOL.

Make sure pin 16 has power and pin 4 has a good ground first and foremost. You will get no communication if either of these are bad. This is just a generic picture I plucked off google images but it will show you what pins to check:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]544753[/ATTACH]

Also, the J1978 protocol should supersede to the ISO standard, which is very commonly used on older Toyotas until they changed to the CAN protocol around 2005. Just about every generic scan tool I have used will communicate with this. If you can communicate, you will get codes, and a limited amount of live data, but the sample rate really sucks, it's not much good in most situations from my experience. Again, most non communication issues boil down to missing power or ground on the DLC. Maybe verify the scanner you are borrowing works on another vehicle first.

Thanks Matt for the reply. I knew as in the auto world that # 4 was chassis ground and 16 was power. I planned on checking it with test lite and volt meter. The Matco scanner works on the auto side as right after I double check to make sure it was not the scanner testing it on a home auto. I know the scan is receiving power because it comes on and it is in a thinking mode for about a minute and half then pops up communication error. Acts like it is trying to see something but can not persay.

I was unsure about the current OBD II scan tools for going back as far as scanning the first gen of OBD II ( without airbags, ABS, 4 CAT systems and so on.)

Also I have a feeling that this boat might has a improper winterization thrown into the mix. Possible I say for now. It is running a whole lot better and at the proper temps on the water hose. I think it might need a t stat along with cleaning the throttle body & MAF as well.

What I really want is to check history and live data with the scan - I want to check rpms, temp, oil pressure and the volts thru out the rpm ranges. Also fault codes. that's it.

We will see if that can happen.

You won't get oil pressure from OBD2 data, you will get RPM, ECT, and battery voltage. Fault codes will be available though and could be very helpful, if it trips one for you. Your primary source for fueling requirements are the MAF on that engine, if the hotwire element is even slightly fuzzed up it will run terrible, especially with no O2 feedback to correct fuel trims.