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We could see OBD as the car equivalent to USB port in computers. Classic cars from 40-70's don't have any way to be connected to an external computer (normally

We could see OBD as the car equivalent to USB port in computers. Classic cars from 40-70's don't have any way to be connected to an external computer (normally). Practically all modern cars (and none of the trucks) share the widespread OBD-II 16 pin connector. In the middle you can find a mess of different connectors in old cars from 80's and 90's when each brand was trying to produce their own unique plugs (You were forced to pay for their original software in the maker's official concessionaire). This was regulated later by laws to allow other companies entering in the market and for makers to reduce the mess. Electric cars could experiment a similar opening process, or not.

EamonnMR 5y ago
Some cars with OBD 2 still require special connectors and software to fully explore the ECU. For example to properly connect to my Volvo you need a whole setup, to the point where an enterprising individual has made a business out of selling pre-installed software/hardware/laptop bundles: https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/vida-dedicated-laptops-for-sale.465809/ https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/vida-dedicated-laptops-fo...
jeffrallen 5y ago
> Classic cars from 40-70's don't have any way to be connected to an external computer (normally). Allow me to blow your mind with the VW type 2 bus diagnostic port from my 1974 bus: http://www.speedyjim.net/htm/plug.htm http://www.speedyjim.net/htm/plug.htm But yes, even that port was analog, and was dropped in later models.