Excuse me if I'm hitting some idiot notes here, since I've only owned my 1996 non-turbo 850 wagon for four days. Yesterday, wouldn't you know it, the check engine light came on. I plugged in an Actron CP9125 code scanner to check what might be wrong. I'm getting absolutely nothing on the scanner — it doesn't seem to be turning itself on, though it works fine on my 2000 Saturn. Later I'll try to pop the plug-in on the console obd port and check for loose wires. But I'm wondering if this is a familiar and maybe easily resolved problem. Advice?

 

I could be incorrect, but I *think* the 96 had an ODB-I and they started using ODB-II in the '97. Can anyone confirm or deny?

 

He said it has the port so it should work. Maybe it is dirty. I would stop by AutoZone or somewhere and have someone else test it.

 

Check the fuse for the OBD II port. My pick-up had same problem. The OBD II port was powered on the cigarette lighter fuse and when the lighter socket rusted out the fuse would blow when the lighter was pushed in (don't use lighter anymore).

 

Fuse was the right answer to part of this problem. Turns out that the fuse was blown. I put a new one in, got an instant snap, crackle and pop, and then that one was dead, too. The scan port is on the same circuit as:
Audio System, Courtesy Lights, Door Open Light, Trunk Light,
Glove Box Light, Remote Control Central Locking System,
Oil Level Sensor, Seat Belt Reminder.

My thinking at the moment is that the previous owner installed a new radio and maybe did some funny business with the wiring. But if this is one of those common problems that every old hand knows about, please let me know.

 

Was the previous owner a smoker?

If so, cig lighter socket may be shorted out; disconnect the socket and see if your short goes away.