Doc’s JB4 OBD wire routing DIY

[docron]

So there seems to be a lot of discussion about the value of connecting the OBD wire to the JB4 piggy. Installation of the JB4 is my project this weekend. I thought i would offer my routing of the OBD wire. Im not a big fan in drilling holes in my sexy new beast.

1. Get fishing wire and fish thru gap between door trim piece, back window and rear quarter panel. Fish wire into engine bay.

 

[docron]

2. Tie string to end of fishing wire. Pull fishing wire back out with string attached.

 

[docron]

3. You will need to make more space for OBD plug as there is not enough space to just fish through back into engine bay. Unbolt door trim piece at bottom of trim piece. Detach door trim piece to expose rear quarter panel mounting screws.

 

[docron]

4. Loosen up rear quarter panel screws, dont need to remove them all the way. You could loosen the mounting bolt behind the Emira badge but I didnt and i didnt want to stick it back on. Using a pry tool, gently lift rear quarter panel just enough to be able to fish OBD plug thru gap. Pull string back into engine bay with attached OBD plug. Yay!

 

[docron]

5. Retighten rear quarter panel bolts, reattach door trim piece, screw door trim bolt at bottom of trim piece.
Lift rubber piece in door jam and route wire under it. Reattach rubber piece. Crossover OBD wire into cabin at level of rubber piece. (No obvious weatherseal bump if crossovered at that level.

 

[docron]

6. Run OBD wire along doorsill weatherstripping all the way to console. Route wire under panel next to AC vent (easy to remove) and under dash. Viola! No drilling needed.

 

[docron]

Decent amount of wire slack leftover too. No need extensions….

Ive been studying how to attack the i4 MAP harness plug all day. You can see and feel the plug from above if you climb into the trunk and layover the engine. And maybe able to get to it with long forcep pliers….
Im a little anxious going from below with pick tool to push in retention clip. I dont want to accidently pull at

 

[kitkat]

Very nice alternative!

 

[Brokenblinker]

So there seems to be a lot of discussion about the value of connecting the OBD wire to the JB4 piggy. Installation of the JB4 is my project this weekend. I thought i would offer my routing of the OBD wire. Im not a big fan in drilling holes in my sexy new beast.

1. Get fishing wire and fish thru gap between door trim piece, back window and rear quarter panel. Fish wire into engine bay.

View attachment 65882

View attachment 65883

Excuse my ignorance not being a Fisher. Something like the red line you have doesn't show up when I search fishing wire. Is there a different name for it? I seem to be seeing fishing line.

 

[geoffbland]

Excuse my ignorance not being a Fisher. Something like the red line you have doesn't show up when I search fishing wire. Is there a different name for it? I seem to be seeing fishing line.

Try searching for wall fishing kit - or wire pulling kit.

 

[Brokenblinker]

Try searching for wall fishing kit - or wire pulling kit.

I'm an idiot

Of course this meant like "fishing through a wall", not like literally fishing for fish LOL. Thanks!

 

[docron]

Get the nylon one, not the metal one so no scratching….

https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=electrical%20fishing%20cable/

 

[docron]

https://www.amazon.com/Puller-Through-Threader-Cable-Fastener/dp/B0C5XCXDXB/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=CKNNCM1NOP8X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dBITHg27Lt5u-y1fYCESYKRHgCLzFoTKvcETnFgF-eXXcTtzoHH0t1LgA-7faAv5feGZ_fseY44YLcFGKDUJ_v0NBPATtmIR585T8PbAecrjKH32J5IzlWQKEN7WJcGC0DPqNxx8enBC8-zxqIAh3p55-uoyswzwSwiUKDOTLjlfUG5aoDclSGW1d4t-t0lxCXok5zYn0mNoFwSSUS5KTToyBFZrHYifb2Jd79St0kaAlGZ07KYYEJ3tTe4pgz6AY6mrQlWBamT4Ns-3pqRrrHSnewXxbN8bIBiz9WYvsdI.XjZ2dpEadnpWiISLaxRZDGHyLHs0Pzmzn4zF_apn0I0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Fishing%2Btape&qid=1750023224&sprefix=fishing%2Btape%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1