How-To: Fix Accessport and OBD Connection issues (Loose Pins)

I have forever had issues with my AP saying it cannot connect to the ECU required me to constantly unplug and replug the AP until I could get a connection to flash my map or get a datalog. I heard a long time ago from a guy at Cobb that i would need to get down there and tighten the pins, but there has never been a how to or guide on doing this and no one has ever mentioned doing it, but I know many people have problems with AP connections or otherwise. I had to reference probably 10 different pages to gather all of the info I needed to do this, but now that I know how it is very simple.

Disclaimer: I did not unplug my battery, I like risks, but i also did my pins one at a time. I could have also easily shorted something with my pick. So maybe I suggest unplugging your battery before attempting this.so.... ->

Tools Required:

Manly strength
Phillips Screw Driver
Small Blade Flathead
Very small pick or sharp pointy object
Common sense and patience
A Cool Cat (optional)

Process:

Step 1: Unplug Battery =)
Step 2: Remove Hood release by pulling hard down and towards you (DO NOT USE FLATHEAD OR BREAK CLIPS, i had none break but with my research others broke with screw driver so do as you want i got off by hand but not easily. I almost went for the flathead then i got it off)
Step 3: Remove the screw behind the Hood Release, Mine was black, obvious placement
Step 4: Grab the bottom of the dash cover then remove it (as far as wire allow)
Step 5: remove the 3 connectors on the switches
Step 6: using a flathead from the front of the panel where you normally plug in push the tabs in and the plug will pop out the back
Step 7: carefully remove the white clip on the back of the plug, was on there very tight for me and I had to use 2 picks
Step 8: Look over to see your cat chilling with you in the garage. Lol he was climbing up in my lap and in the car checking out the back of the car and shit while I was doing this. I love this guy
Step 9: Take a picture of the order and color codes before advancing and make sure to know which is top and bottom
Step 10: Remove one pin by holding the wire on the back then pull the plastic clip just enough until you feel the wire release
Step 11: use a pick to tighten the pin by pushing the part shown back into the clip against the other side of the clip making it tight.
Step 12: insert the pin back into the plug and you will feel a snap
Step 13: Repeat step 9-11 for other pins (8 total)
Step 14: Put the retaining clip back on the Plug (this keeps pins from pushing back out when plugging into the port, VERY IMPORTANT DONT LOSE IT OR FORGET IT)
Step 15: Put the port and the other plugs back into the dash
Step 16: Put dash back in BOTTOM CLIPS FIRST then top, I pulled up the weather stripping to allow better fitment, it lifts up very easy and goes back on just as easy
Step 17: Do or dont put the screw back in (i did not), then put the hood release back in which goes in up and back with some force, took mew a few trys until it snapped back in

tips/options: Test your OBD before putting back together (I did not but this is smart), I also cut the zip tie holding the wiring harness back so I could get closer to see what I was doing then i zip tied it back to the one i cut.

My AP connected faster then it ever has and my data logging came up instantly, where normally there is a delay and then i get an error saying it could not connect, or my logs fail part way through. There is a large risk in flashing with a bad connection if it loses the connection during a flash. I have had this issue before for years where I am afraid to touch the plug, now my plug is SOO tight it was hard to remove the AP .....so yea WIN WIN

Pictures:

 

here are full size pictures in case these are not close enough you might see better

 

An issue I and many others have run into is the connector that plugs into the AP V3 breaks then comes loose... all the time. Cobb used the cheapest connector they could find and it sucks. Luckily you can replace the connector yourself with this part: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/hirose-electric-co-ltd/ST40X-18S-CV(80)/H11361-ND/1095678

 

I've had this happen to me twice now, but I just emailed Cobb and they sent me a new one at no cost to me.

 

Happened to me too. I just blamed it on my manliness.

 

The beard looked at the cable and the cable got scared and broke.

crapatalk, yes it sucks for free.

 

Thank you so much for this. Man this has been a serious issue for me. Gonna try this fix as soon as I have time.

Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for making this How To. My AP was having the same issue, it wouldn't come on, or it would go off if I went over a bump. I'll be getting a custom e-tune and I need my AP to stay connected. I decided to tackle this and see if it would help. Sure enough, it 100% fixed my issue. This How To was great. Great pictures and very clear instructions. The only thing I didn't have was a cool cat to help me!

 

Thank you for this write up. So far I haven't had this issue, but I am saving all this info for when that dreadful day comes... let's hope it doesn't!

Now if I can get my crazy 100+ lbs dog to sit still he can help me like your chill cat did.

 

Hey thanks man it seems easy enough. I've been looking for a solution for this for months. Good to see that there is actually an alternative to spending 800 doll hairs for a whole new harness. Much appreciated.