Hey fellow car enthusiasts,
I’m diving into a bit of a diagnostic dilemma with my mum’s late 2003 Nissan Pulsar. It’s got what looks like an OBD port, but my trusty cheap Bluetooth OBD2 reader just won’t connect. After some digging, it seems these older Nissans might use the Nissan Consult protocol, even with an OBD-style port. This has left me wondering about the best way to read fault codes and get a deeper look into the car’s health without breaking the bank.
Is anyone else familiar with this and can shed some light on using a ‘Consult To Obd2 Adapter’, or if that’s even the right approach? I’ve come across the ECUTalk cable, which seems specifically designed for this situation, but at over $100, it feels a bit pricey for occasional use.
OBDII plug
My main goal is to be able to scan and clear diagnostic trouble codes, maybe run some basic relearning procedures, and monitor live data to help with troubleshooting any issues. I believe the Nissan Data Scan app is a popular choice for these cars, but I’m unsure what hardware is needed to connect it.
Are there any adapters out there that can effectively convert the Nissan Consult protocol to something a standard OBD2 reader can understand? Or is the issue more fundamental, meaning standard readers simply aren’t built to speak the Consult language, regardless of the physical port? I even read somewhere that a CANBUS compatible OBD2 reader might work, but I’m not sure if that applies to Consult protocol.
The older forum threads I found mentioned some expensive solutions, but given how quickly tech advances, I was hoping there might be some more affordable options available now. Perhaps a cheaper, maybe Chinese-made, Consult-compatible reader has emerged?
Essentially, I’m trying to figure out the most cost-effective way to diagnose my Nissan Pulsar, given this Consult-via-OBD port situation. Any advice or experiences you can share regarding a consult to OBD2 adapter or alternative solutions would be greatly appreciated!
