Technical Diagnostics Socket Location

[Dr Zhivago]

I give up. Where is the OBD diagnostics socket on a 2013 Panda 1.4 diesel 4x4, RHD?

Someone (https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/330018-obd-socket.html) said they "would be very surprised" if it were not behind the plastic panel under the steering wheel. Seeing the Union Jack by that post I guess that would also be RHD.

But there is no obvious panel directly under my steering wheel. There is however what looks like a removable panel a bit to the right of the steering wheel, above the driver's right leg, but I cannot find how to remove it and am reluctant just to pull in case I break something. I cannot see any clips (or the OBD socket either) looking behind it with a torch and mirror.

This must be a commonly used socket. Can anyone help please?

 

[AAB1992]

It is that very panel you mentioned! Just pull on it from the bottom, that's how you remove. You will not break it

 

[Dr Zhivago]

Thanks for that, but I'm wondering if your Panda is quite the same as mine (sorry, I meant a 1.3 diesel, not 1.4). I have pulled on that panel as hard as I dare without breaking it. It is hard to believe that this is meant for routine access.

Looking up with a mirror the panel seems to be attached at the bottom left (I cannot see the other corners) with a strong plastic barb of the once-only type - ie with square shoulders so that something must break. I think I can also see the OBD connector, further up, and can feel it's a bit loose in a rectangular hole in a metal bracket. I wonder it it is meant to unclip from this bracket and pull down for use.

Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing, here is a picture of the panel - Panel A which seems clipped by that barb to a flange behind it belonging to Panel B. I have dotted where the connector seems to be.

Other advice I have found on the web is useless for RHD. LHD Pandas seem to have the OBD socket in the fuse panel which is on the far left (would have been easy to access). That fuse panel is still there in RHD, but lacks the OBD socket. Finding the location of these things seems to be a major issue with many cars.

I need some more help please - I have now got my diagnostics kit but cannot use it!

 

[AAB1992]

Thanks for that, but I'm wondering if your Panda is quite the same as mine (sorry, I meant a 1.3 diesel, not 1.4). I have pulled on that panel as hard as I dare without breaking it. It is hard to believe that this is meant for routine access.

Looking up with a mirror the panel seems to be attached at the bottom left (I cannot see the other corners) with a strong plastic barb of the once-only type - ie with square shoulders so that something must break. I think I can also see the OBD connector, further up, and can feel it's a bit loose in a rectangular hole in a metal bracket. I wonder it it is meant to unclip from this bracket and pull down for use.

Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing, here is a picture of the panel - Panel A which seems clipped by that barb to a flange behind it belonging to Panel B. I have dotted where the connector seems to be.

Other advice I have found on the web is useless for RHD. LHD Pandas seem to have the OBD socket in the fuse panel which is on the far left (would have been easy to access). That fuse panel is still there in RHD, but lacks the OBD socket. Finding the location of these things seems to be a major issue with many cars.

I need some more help please - I have now got my diagnostics kit but cannot use it!

You need to tug panel A in your image. It is behind there and the panel is very easy to remove. A firm pull will remove it

 

[Dr Zhivago]

I have reached the OBD socket. You are right; thanks for giving me the confidence to pull even harder

For the sake of "posterity" (ie others trying to do this job) I have attached pics of the location with the panel off, and a rear view of the panel. I had said it looked like there were plastic clips at the bottom of the panel with square shouldered barbs but in fact they are plastic spigots with steel spring clips on them that taper both ways (ie they allow both push on and pull off) and go into the two vertical slots seen in my photo below.

I pulled with my fingers as close up to the clips as possible and the panel hinged at the top and came out. I shall put some silicone grease on the metal clips when I put the panel back.

The cover comes with a fuse removal tool clipped to the back, but there do not seem to be any fuses around here.

Now to see if I can get an old Windows XP laptop going with the Multiecuscan software.

 

[Al D]

Even I can confirm the trim sturdy (nothing broken) and admittedly (stupidly basic and cheap) code reader I have just tried didn't bring up any errors (and yes it did connect). So the orange triangle (which wasn't affecting performance at all) isn't great deal to worry about.

 

[varesecrazy]

Why has it taken me 2 years to find this thread..

I was under the impression it was elsewhere

I will attempt it at post pics in the GUIDES

Charlie

 

[varesecrazy]

Good to see the Yellow pincers

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

The fuse box on a right hand drive car is through a little door at the back of the glove box. Why the yellow tweezers are not with that has often puzzled me... in fact, I took mine off the door by the ODB socket and found they will clip onto the edge of the hatch to the fuses, so that’s where mine lives now.

 

[varesecrazy]

Why has it taken me 2 years to find this thread..

I was under the impression it was elsewhere

I will attempt it at post pics in the GUIDES

Charlie

This week hopefully..

Taken me 6 weeks to track down this info

 

[varesecrazy]

Well..It did happen..honest

I got in there ok

Took a few pics.. connected and took some figures down

Came to post a GUIDE.. cannot be done

Mods are hopefully going to assist

In the meantime:

The panel unger the steering wheel is actually in 2 parts.. the seam is evident if you look harder

You want the smaller panel..outer edge of car

Firmly grip the lower edge of the panel..and pull outwards

The panel has 2 spring clips at the lower adge..and 2 tabs that just 'hinge' at the top

Once the cover is loose ..hinge it outwards and the upper edge will become free.

The OBD port is awkwardly positioned..right at the top.. thankfully it is ready for use.. no dustcap

Sorry to say the last pic..with Cable in the port..

APPEARS twisted at 90'..

But.. click on it.. and it should be correct

 

[MaxHeadroom]

Sorry to say the last pic..with Cable in the port..

APPEARS twisted at 90'..

But.. click on it.. and it should be correct

Quite a lot of photos seem to do that on this forum.