Experiencing trouble connecting your Bafx Obdii Reader to your Mazda Miata? Many Miata owners, especially those with the NB generation (1999-2005), have encountered similar issues when trying to use Bluetooth OBD-II adapters for diagnostics or performance monitoring. Let’s troubleshoot why your BAFX OBDII reader might not be communicating with your ’99 Miata and explore potential solutions.
You’ve plugged in your new BAFX Bluetooth OBD-II reader into the port, the red light is on, and you’ve successfully paired it with your Android device. However, apps like Torque or Car Gauge Lite stubbornly display “No response from vehicle ECU.” Frustrating, right? Especially when the same reader works perfectly fine on a ’98 Honda Civic. Let’s break down the common culprits.
One of the first things to consider is protocol compatibility. While OBD-II is a standard, early implementations and specific car models can sometimes be finicky. It’s less likely you need to manually specify a protocol with a ’99 Miata, as they are OBD-II compliant. However, it’s worth checking if your BAFX reader and the Torque app settings allow for protocol selection. Ensure “Auto” protocol detect is enabled, which should generally work for most OBD-II vehicles.
Another point of confusion can be the OBD-II port location. You mentioned finding a port under the fuse box cover to the left of the driver’s knee. This is indeed the correct OBD-II port location for the NB Miata. It’s possible your mechanic accessed it from a lower angle, making it seem like it was deeper in the footwell, but there isn’t another hidden OBD-II port. While the location might seem a bit awkward for permanent mounting of a Scan Gauge, it is the standard diagnostic port.
Now, let’s address the possibility of reader compatibility. While BAFX readers are generally well-regarded and compatible with many vehicles, some cars can be more sensitive to certain OBD-II adapter chipsets or Bluetooth implementations. It’s not uncommon for certain OBD-II readers to work flawlessly with one car but struggle with another, even within the OBD-II standard. The ’99 Miata, while OBD-II compliant, might be exhibiting this kind of pickiness.
Before considering returning your BAFX reader, here are a few steps to try:
- Double-check the connection: Ensure the BAFX reader is firmly plugged into the OBD-II port. Sometimes a slightly loose connection can cause communication issues.
- Restart the app and Bluetooth: Completely close the Torque or Car Gauge Lite app, turn Bluetooth off and on again on your Android device, and then retry the connection process.
- Test with another OBD-II app: While you’ve tried Car Gauge Lite, explore other OBD-II apps available on the Google Play Store. Sometimes, compatibility issues can be app-specific. Apps like OBD Auto Doctor or DashCommand are popular alternatives.
- Try with the engine running: Although you mentioned trying with the engine running, reiterate this step. Some OBD-II systems fully initialize only when the engine is running.
- Check BAFX Reader Compatibility Lists: While not always exhaustive, check online forums or BAFX product pages for user reports on Miata compatibility. You might find other users with similar experiences and potential solutions or recommended settings.
If, after trying these steps, your BAFX OBDII reader still fails to connect to your ’99 Miata, it might indeed be a compatibility issue. In this case, exploring other OBD-II reader brands or models could be the next step. Some users have reported better success with readers using different chipsets or those specifically recommended in Miata forums. Before purchasing a new reader, researching Miata-specific OBD-II reader recommendations could save you further frustration.
In conclusion, while the BAFX OBDII reader is a popular choice, compatibility issues can arise with certain vehicles like the ’99 Mazda Miata. Troubleshooting steps like verifying the connection, trying different apps, and ensuring the engine is running are crucial first steps. If these don’t resolve the issue, the problem might stem from reader compatibility, prompting consideration of alternative OBD-II reader models known to work well with NB Miatas.
