Experiencing a flashing ABS light after installing your new Obd2 Hud Speedometer? You’re not alone. Many car enthusiasts are drawn to the convenience and cool factor of head-up displays that project speed and other data onto the windshield. However, some users, particularly with older vehicles, have encountered an unexpected issue: the dreaded ABS warning light illuminating after plugging in their OBD2 HUD. This article dives into this problem and offers a straightforward solution based on community experience.
The Problem: ABS Light After OBD2 HUD Install
Like many, you might have excitedly installed an OBD2 HUD speedometer in your car, only to be greeted by a flashing ABS light on your dashboard. This can be concerning, suggesting a potential issue with your Anti-lock Braking System. The good news is, in many cases, the problem isn’t actually with your ABS, but rather an incompatibility with certain OBD2 HUD devices and your vehicle’s communication system.
Understanding the Cause: Pin Conflict
The issue often stems from a pin conflict within the OBD2 connector. Some OBD2 HUDs might utilize certain pins in the OBD2 port that inadvertently interfere with other systems in your car, such as the ABS. User experiences suggest that a specific pin on the HUD’s OBD2 connector might be the culprit, causing a communication error and triggering the ABS light.
The Solution: Pin Isolation (Trial and Error)
The reported solution involves isolating potentially problematic pins on the OBD2 connector of your HUD speedometer. Instead of blindly removing pins, it’s recommended to use a process of elimination to identify the specific pin causing the conflict. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on user-shared experiences:
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Identify Potential Pins: Based on community feedback, pins 9, 10, and 11 have been implicated in causing conflicts with some vehicles when using OBD2 HUDs.
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Pin Bending (Temporary Isolation): Using needle-nose pliers, carefully bend pin 9 of the OBD2 connector on your HUD device towards the bottom of the connector housing. This temporarily isolates the pin without permanently removing it.
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Test: Plug the modified OBD2 HUD back into your car’s OBD2 port and start your vehicle. Check if the ABS light is still flashing.
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Repeat for Other Pins: If the ABS light persists, unplug the HUD, bend pin 10 (and then pin 11 if needed) in the same manner, testing after each pin isolation.
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Pin Removal (Permanent Fix): Once you identify the pin that, when isolated, resolves the ABS light issue, you can then proceed to carefully remove that pin completely from the HUD’s OBD2 connector using needle-nose pliers.
Important Note: Always test by bending pins first to identify the problematic one before permanently removing any pins. Removing the wrong pin or multiple pins might affect the functionality of your OBD2 HUD. Refer to an OBD2 pinout diagram to understand pin functions, although for this specific issue, trial and error on pins 9, 10, and 11 has been reported as effective.
OBD2 Connector Pinout Diagram
Conclusion:
While an unexpected ABS light after installing an OBD2 HUD speedometer can be alarming, it’s often a resolvable issue related to pin conflicts. By carefully isolating and potentially removing a specific pin on the HUD’s connector, you can often eliminate the ABS light problem and enjoy the benefits of your head-up display. Remember to proceed with caution and test pin isolation before permanent removal to ensure you identify the correct pin causing the conflict for your vehicle.
