Nissan Consult Tools for Skyline GT-R : OBD Scanners : Nissan Datascan : ECU Talk

OBD II scanner showing a P0141 code

Old cars, young people. This is something some of us old folk have to repeat to ourselves, when some new Nissan Skyline owner asks where they can plug an OBD II scanner into their car. In the USA, cars 1996 and up had OBD II, or on board diagnostics II. That was a more universal type engine computer scan tool/system/language/connector. Prior to OBD II each manufacturer had their own tool, their own connector. Still most do, but the generic OBD II has become universal in the USA.

Notice we said 1996 up, and in the USA. The rest of the world, may have had cars with OBD II connectors around the same time, but generally in Japan, you didn't see them till around 2002. There are still cars sold in some parts of the world- in 2019 that don't have OBD II.

Consult port location on an R32. The catalytic converter overtemp light, doubles as a check engine light

The 1989-2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R all have a Nissan diagnostic connector called a Consult connector, or Consult port. In the R32 the Consult port is located in the fusebox area, drivers side. Approximately above where your right knee is located. If you pull that cover off, and look in the upper left hand area above the fuse block, you will see a grey connector. That is the Consult port.

Pinout for a Consult connector R32 GT-R

From the Consult port in an R32 you can read the ECU, Hicas, and power steering.

Consult III

Nissan's factory tool is now called a Consult III (3) plus. The Consult III plus is laptop based, and has cards that allow a dealership or tech to diagnose a car. The Consult III plus is many thousands of dollars, and not generally realistic for most enthusiasts to have. However there is another way to get similar results.

With a Consult cable, and a program, you can look at engine parameters, datalog, and even do some diagnostic testing.

Nissan Datascan

The screen shot above is from Nissan Datascan. You can see the engine is turning 975 rpm, which is probably right around 1000 rpm on the tach. Both AFM are exactly the same, which honestly is a little weird. They normally are off 0.1 to 0.2 volts. The engine temp is 170.6 F or up to temperature. 02 sensor, or oxygen sensors are fluctuating, which they should. Battery voltage is 14.2 which shows a good alternator. Throttle position is 0.42 volts, Nissan says approximately 0.5 volts is normal at idle. Injector is 1.71. Timing 20 degrees. AF Base, and AF Base S/L are both fuel correction trims.

Nisbie Bluetooth connector to use with your scanner program

You don't need a Consult tool to read and clear codes, but it sure makes life easier.

ECUTalk LCD V2, Green connecting to R32 GT-R

One other tool that we just added to our Nissan scanners, is from ECUtalk. It is a stand alone box that plugs into the Consult port, and will show various engine parameters, read and clear codes. It can also alter fueling temporarily, and alter timing. So if you want to do some basic testing, it allows for those adjustments.

You can read more about what cars it covers in the User Guide.

MDM-100

Grid Datascan

I had this program since MotoRex days. Around 1999. It was on CD, runs on Windows 95, and has a serial port. However it was a great tool to diagnose Nissan Skyline. It has real time data, datalogging, trouble codes, and active testing. Along with that it can reprogram R34 NATS 2 keys.