Experiencing trouble connecting your BAFX Bluetooth OBD-II reader to your 1999 Miata (NB)? It’s a common frustration, especially when your reader works perfectly on other vehicles. Many Miata NB owners encounter the dreaded “No Response from Vehicle ECU” message when trying to use OBD2 diagnostic apps like Torque or Car Gauge Lite with their BAFX adapter, even when the Bafx Obd2 Light indicates power. Let’s troubleshoot this issue and get you connected.
One of the first questions that comes to mind is whether there’s a specific procedure for connecting to a ’99 Miata. You might be wondering if you need to manually select a protocol instead of relying on the auto-detect feature. While OBD2 is meant to be a standardized system, sometimes automatic protocol detection can stumble. It’s worth checking if your Torque app or Car Gauge Lite allows you to manually set the OBD2 protocol. Consult your app settings to see if you can specify protocols like ISO9141-2 or others that might be compatible with your NB Miata’s ECU. Experimenting with manual protocol selection can sometimes bypass auto-detection glitches.
Another point of confusion often revolves around the OBD2 port location itself. You mentioned finding a port under the fuse box cover to the left of the driver’s knee. While there might be connectors in that area, the standard OBD2 port location on a 1999 Miata (and most vehicles of that era) is typically located in the driver’s side footwell, usually under the dashboard. It’s often near the steering column or slightly to the left. It’s possible your mechanic accessed the OBD2 port in this lower footwell area. Double-check down there – you’re looking for a trapezoidal 16-pin connector. Using the correct, and intended OBD2 port is crucial for establishing a connection. The port under the fuse box might be for other diagnostic or accessory purposes, not the standard OBD2 communication.
Finally, compatibility can indeed be a factor. While BAFX readers are generally well-regarded and compatible with many vehicles, there are instances where certain readers might not play nicely with specific car models or ECUs, including the NB Miata. It’s less about NBs being “super picky” and more about slight variations in ECU implementations or communication protocols across different makes and models. Before considering replacing your BAFX reader, ensure you’ve tried manual protocol selection in your OBD2 app and that you are definitely using the correct OBD2 port in the driver’s footwell. If you’ve exhausted these steps and still face the “No Response” error, particularly if the bafx obd2 light is on but no data is transmitting, then trying a different OBD2 reader might be the next logical step. Consider researching OBD2 readers specifically reported to work well with Miata NBs in online Miata forums and communities for recommendations before investing in a new device.
In conclusion, to troubleshoot your BAFX OBD2 reader issue on your 1999 Miata NB:
- Verify OBD2 Port Location: Ensure you are using the correct OBD2 port in the driver’s side footwell, under the dashboard.
- Manual Protocol Selection: Within your OBD2 app (Torque, Car Gauge Lite), try manually selecting OBD2 protocols instead of relying on auto-detection. Experiment with protocols like ISO9141-2.
- Reader Compatibility: If the above steps fail, consider the possibility of compatibility issues between your specific BAFX reader and your Miata NB. Research Miata forums for recommended OBD2 readers that are known to work with NB models.
By systematically checking these points, you should be able to pinpoint the reason why your BAFX OBD2 reader is currently giving you a “No Response” error on your Miata NB and get your diagnostic connection up and running.
