Car troubles can be a real hassle, but with OBD2 extension cables, fixing your vehicle has always been challenging. These cables connect the OBD2 port to your car’s diagnostic computer under the dashboard. So, you can retrieve data such as engine trouble codes, low oil pressure and water temperatures, and voltages.
There are many different lengths available to accommodate any needs you may have. Buying the best OBD2 extension cable is a challenge. There are many options to choose from, and many factors go into making the right decision.
But don’t worry! I’ve compiled this list of the five best for you to remember looking for an OBD2 extension cable. So, let’s have a look!
What Is an OBD2 Extension Cable?
An OBD2 extension cable connects the OBD2 port to your car’s engine computer’s diagnostic unit. This enables you to have access to a wider variety of information and allows to read abs trouble codes, as well as read and clear trouble codes. A typical OBD2 extension cable is black, with five wires, a connector on one end, and a receptacle or port on the other. There also have an additional port for another device, such as your phone or tablet.
You must choose a suitable extension cable for your vehicle that will be compatible with the type of scanner port your vehicle has installed. The cable you choose is also important to be compatible with the OBD2 port located under the dashboard, as some vehicles have more than one OBD2 port.
When Do You Need an OBD2 Extension Cable?
If you are having a diagnostic trouble code or other problems, you will need access to the computer system’s information to fix the problem. Whether your car is making a noise, or your check engine light or brake light is on, an OBD2 extension cable will allow you to retrieve all this information for free.
If your vehicle does not have one installed, you can purchase and install one yourself. Before purchasing a scanner that works with your vehicle and OBD2 port, you must find out what cable it uses.
5 Best obd2 Extension Cable
To connect your OBD2 port to the diagnostic engine computer, you will need a cable or scan tool compatible with this port.
DUOYI 33 Feet/10M OBD2 Extension Cable
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This one is perfect if you are looking for a long OBD2 Extension Cable! I am so glad that it came with a light on the end for seeing where you are going when diagnosing. DUOYI OBD2 Extension Cable is great, easy to use, flexible, and works as intended. I am very pleased with this purchase. This extension cable is well-made, tough, and worth the price. I use it for diagnostics inside a moving vehicle.
The cable also reduces wear and tear. It is made up of excellent materials. It is perfect for reading and erasing codes, resetting monitors and sensors, testing the operation of various components, controlling emissions, and much more. The cable comes with a small bag to prevent damage during use. This OBD2 adapter comes with a 33 ft cable length that can be used with any car or vehicle equipped with an OBD2 port allowing the user to view monitor data at a distance away from their vehicle’s OBD2 port.
DUOYI cable has many uses, such as you can use it for diagnosing your car or further extending the length of the scanner. The cable also reduces wear and tear. It is made up of excellent materials. It is perfect for reading and erasing codes, resetting monitors and sensors, testing the operation of various components, controlling emissions, and much more. The cable comes with a small bag to prevent damage during use.
Pros
- The measurements are accurate and fast.
- This cable provides extra-long length.
- It is lightweight.
- The cable comes with high-quality material.
- Reduce wear of OBD connector.
- The price is good.
Cons
- It doesn’t work with all cars, but you can use it with cars equipped with a 16-pin OBD port.
bbfly-A9 OBD II 2X Female Extension Cable Adapter
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If you are sitting in your car, frustrated by the limitations of connecting a scan tool to your OBD2 on-board diagnostics port, then worry no more. Because the bbfly-A9 OBD-II Cable Adapter will solve all your problems, I was looking for something a bit longer than the ones that plug directly into the OBD-II port. This cable does the job nicely. It is useful for those who have their cars on a lift or want to check codes further down into the car.
The cable worked just fine, and my car detected it right away. The product’s quality was also good as I have described. This OBDII connector to USB connector cable has a male OBD-II connector and two female USB connectors. With this extension cable, you can easily extend the length of your existing OBD2 ports while adding two more USB ports to charge your Android smartphone, iPad, or tablet.
This OBDII cable adapter fully complies with the SAE J1962 16-pin standard and supports high-speed data transmission. They are the perfect replacement for those older-style pin connectors, which can easily break out of their pins without warning. The bbfly-A9 OBD II Cable adapter’s unique patented design can help you connect your scan tool. Or you can test equipment to your OBD2 port while charging your device.
Pros
- Works Perfectly
- It comes with 2 feet hard-wired OBD2 extension cable.
- The cable is made of quality material.
- This product is easy to install and use.
- It is available at a very affordable price.
- The OBD2 connector to the USB connector cable is small and compact.
Cons
- You need to push on the back of the pin a bit to release it.
AUTOAND Wired 150cm OBD2 16Pin Male to Female Extension Cable
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I have been using this extension cord for a couple of months, and it works great. I had an issue with my car, which was the first thing I checked. Now that the issue has been fixed. The wire feels very sturdy and is long enough that you’ll be able to reach any outlet in your garage. This extension cord has a 16-pin male connector at one end and a 16-pin female connector at the other.
AUTOAND Wired extension cable can connect any automotive diagnostic tool with a round 16-pin interface with an extender cable of 150 centimeters. It is convenient and easy to use. This extender cable can be placed under the car to inspect the engine. Moreover, it is made of high-quality PVC material, which makes it durable and lightweight. Besides, its compact design is easy to store when not in use.
Pros
- It can transfer data at the speed of 480 Mbit/s.
- The length of the wire is good enough for my work and equipment setup.
- Easy to use.
- It comes at an affordable price.
- The packaging was good, which meant no damage to the product.
- This is suitable for 12V power.
Cons
- The product does not come with a carrying case, which would be nice.
iKKEGOL OBD2 16 Pin Car Male to Female Extension Cable
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If you need to diagnose your car’s fault codes or make electrical repairs, but can’t find the right connector, here is a cable that will do just the trick. This car diagnostic extension cable connects to any car’s OBD2 port and can connect with a monitor, scan tool, and more. This cable is designed for use with 16-pin connectors at either end of the cable.
The iKKEGOL OBD2 extension cable supports both standard male and female connectors and comes in lengths from 20 inches to 33 feet or 10 meters. It allows you to keep your OBD2 diagnostic reader outside your vehicle. At the same time, the cable connects inside your car near an open window. 16-pin male connector plugs into any OBD2 automotive diagnostic reader, such as iKKEGOL’s DR1503 – or any other manufacturer’s compatible scan tool.
This cable was exactly what I was looking. I was tired of using my OBD scanner inside my car because it blocked my view from the windshield. And I got this one. I like how it’s easy to plug in, look down at the screen, and see what codes I’m getting. It’s of good quality too. It supports standard male and female connectors and comes in lengths from 20 inches to 33 feet or 10 meters.
Pros
- Reliable quality to work with all my OBD2 scanners and other devices.
- Flexible connectors at both ends ensure a snug fit.
- The relatively long length of 10 meters gives the ability to lie comfortably.
- Closed connectors prevent water or other elements from getting inside the cable while outside.
- Plugs into the carport of your choice, and no tight turns are required.
Cons
- The cable could have been longer, so I had difficulty reaching the inside port.
ARTECKIN Full 16pin OBD II Male to Female Extension Cable
If you are looking for a high-quality, reliable cable with your OBD2 device, ARTECKIN is the one for you. This cable has an OBD2 connector on both ends so that you can use your car’s OBD II port. You can use it in its most convenient location while allowing access to the port in your cabin or office. The flat ribbon cable is perfect for car diagnostic testing.
This 16-pin OBDII extension cable has angled connectors on both ends. It makes it very easy to connect one male and one female connector. The cable is flat with a thickness of 0.05mm, ensuring that it can be laid flat under the OBDII port and still fit through the housing, making it much easier to work with than other types of cables with a thicker diameter.
This color is black and has a length of 30cm, which is compatible with any vehicle supporting a 16-pin OBD II port. This product comes the brand new in retail packaging from HQSEO Store. The cable is well-made and very flexible. Though it is a little thick, it still fits into the OBDII port.
Pros
- High-quality rubber cables
- Angled connectors make it easier to use on my laptop
- -Good length so I can use my OBD2 port.
- -Considerable length for a “short” cable.
- Good price
Cons
- Not as durable as some of the other cables I’ve purchased in the past.
Comparison Chart
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Things To Consider Before Buying the Best Obd2 Extension Cable
When you are in the market for a new obd2 extension cable, it cannot be easy to find the perfect one for your automobile. There are so many different sizes and types that it can be overwhelming to figure out which is best for you. I’ve compiled a guide to help you make sense of all the options so you can make an informed purchase.
Length of cables
Some extension cables can be up to five meters long. It is best if you have enough cable, so you don’t have any issues. Make sure the cable is fully shielded. Be mindful of where the plug goes into your car; some cables will only fit in some cars. Make sure it will work with your vehicle before buying it.
Purpose For Buying
Different cables are used for different needs like flashing cars, remote start, and car alarms. Price is only sometimes a factor when we buy an extension cable. But the purpose of the cable is one of the most important things to consider.
Connection type for your vehicle – OBD2 or USB?
Not all cables are OBD2 or USB. These are the two main connection types. USB cables are more common, but OBD2 is more powerful and expensive.
Quality of materials
The cable should be made of quality material. Consider whether you want a serrated cable that can cut through the stubborn wire. Or it may require a flat cable to help avoid strain on your connection and last longer.
Signal
Check if your car sends signals left and right or just one signal. The signal depends on what your car is doing and if it sends signals at different times. Then you will have to buy more cables than if the signal is the same all the time.
Price of cables
It is easy to spend money on essential tools. Because it will help you get your job done faster and better, then that extra cost will be worth it.
FAQs
Are all OBD2 cables the same?
Pinouts typically use the same connector, but some PINS differ. Pin 4 is referred to as battery constant, and pin 16 is referred to as battery positive. They are specifically differentiated.
Do odb2 splitters work?
The OBD-II port does not have the functionality to split into multiple ports or have the versatility of a USB port. And it needs to be an appropriate port for older cars that require optimal performance. The OBD-II port was designed for roadside mechanics to connect a computer to a vehicle, but it was not meant to sustain heavier use.
CAN OBD2 improve performance?
A performance chip and an OBD2 chip are installed in your automobile by a third-party company. You can do it to increase blood circulation to the engine and enhance acceleration. Some of these chips will override your car’s stock performance monitoring function, while others are leveled to work with the default function.
Do OBD2 scanners drain the battery?
A connector that could be better made might drain your battery even if it’s plugged into the OBD port during your car’s idle time. More problematic still, if a sound design is lacking, it can turn on your ECU, draining your battery faster.
When Is An OBD2 Extender Cable Necessary?
OBD2 cables can aid you in extending the life of your diagnostic tool by ensuring it does not overheat or wear out because it has sufficient power space. OBD2 extensions provide even more storage space if your gear arrives with a short cord. This technology is required for tracking your driving, for example, via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection to your automobile.
Is it worth the money to buy an OBD splitter?
An OBD2 splitter raises the longevity of your vehicle while allowing you to connect to your computer or smartphone. Additional benefits and costs may vary depending on the model of the car—usually, a new OBD port splitter cost between small to large. Additional accessories can raise the total price significantly.
Final Words
Many cars owners care about the quality of their cars. After all, maintaining such an expensive vehicle requires a lot of time and effort. It makes the process important for car owners to recharge their vehicles frequently. You can use the best obd2 extension cable for auto techs and mechanics to prevent engine wear and tear.
They will also be able to use their cars longer without having them break down. So, they’ll have more time with each dollar spent. Choosing a good obd2 extension cord is critical to avoid unexpected or costly repairs down the road because these cables require constant recharging while they are used.
As a mechanical engineer, it’s easy for David to explain the functionality of the tool. David test most of the tools before writing a review. its help him to learn something new and suggest the best product for you.