Locating the ALDL interface

[Elanlover]

Ok, yes, I feel like a moron but.................

I've looked everywhere under the passenger's side dash for this pulg but can't seem to find it. So, I'm prepared to risk humiliation and ask if anyone can describe it and tell me exactly where I'd find it.



I'm sure the answer will make me look foolish as I'll probably find it was dangling in my face the whole time I was under there but I'll accept all insults at this time just to get Elanscan scanning. This is a Fed, cali. car by the way. Thanks and take it easy on the newbie

[Elanlover]

I'm pleased to report that, imeediately after writing this post and re-reviewing the basic instructions in the Diagnosing "Check Engine Light" Problems link I have found the ALDL.

For those of you who enjoy some humor..................

This plug WAS dangling in front of me. It was the first thing I looked at. However, when I unplugged the ALDL from its black housing I triied repeatedly to plug the Elanscan cable INTO THE BLACK HOUSING that the ALDL was being held. It never occurred to me that the thing I unplugged was, in fact, the ALDL itself.





Please be sure to tune in next week when I try to get the A/C running by turning on the hazard lights...........

[kmckmc]

hi,

I think my request is even more humiliating. Could you post a picture of that plug in the footwell?

Cheers,

[Doug]

Please be sure to tune in next week when I try to get the A/C running by turning on the hazard lights...........

[Elanlover]

hi,

I think my request is even more humiliating. Could you post a picture of that plug in the footwell?

Cheers,

I'm just out of town visiting family at the moment but I'd be happy to do so when I return.

[Elanlover]

hi,

I think my request is even more humiliating. Could you post a picture of that plug in the footwell?

Cheers,

Hey, kmckmc I never thought to ask but what side of the pond are you on? Being in North America, the pics I can take won't help you if you've got a right hand drive car. Let me know before I try to climb into the footwell upside down to snap some piccies. Takes 30 seconds to get into that position but 18 minutes to extract myself.

[kmckmc]

Hi,

Mine is a LEFT HAND DRIVE Elan.


Thanks.

[Elanlover]

Hi,

Mine is a LEFT HAND DRIVE Elan.


Thanks.

Ok then. Before having a look at these two pics you need to close your eyes and visualize this. You have opened the passenger door and looked at the glove box knowing that the ALDL plug is just under the dash behind the glove box. So, you assume what many have described as the "Lotus position" (in reference to the contorsions often required to reach the desired area). In this case - the way I took the first pic - this involved getting into the passenger seat on my back with my legs in the air and sticking my head down into the footwell so I could look up into the dash from the floor. That's how pic 1 was taken so if it looks upside down, you'll know why.

[abmunro]

I cant see this at all.

Does it plug into what looks like the ECU.

Doh!!!

[GeoffSmith]

Tony,

This thread was to help the LHD Elan owners find their ALDL socket.

If you drop the glovebox down (gentle pressure on the catch will allow it to swing all the way down) and the ALDL socket has four wires attached to it (like the pictures above) and is plugged into a retaining clip. It is NOT on the ECU.

Geoff

[abmunro]

Cheers