Last Updated: 11/17/2022 @ 07:16 am

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Community Member Credit: CS_AR/ KP11520 / The Wizard / EddyMaxx

The 4thgen Nissan Maxima use two ports for diagnostics. There is a somewhat limited OBD2 port and a fully functional consult port. The consult port is behind the door where the fuses are located on the dash. The OBD2 port is below the dash.

White OB2 Port

Located underneath the steering wheel.
It gives some basic readings and lets you clear CEL codes.
The only reason this port is there is for State Inspection diagnostics (required by law in the US) and although
does offer some functionality, was never meant to be the port to diagnose and manage 4th Gen Maximas.
There are no advanced diagnostics or functionality using this method.

Grey CONSULT Port

The CONSULT port is where all the functionality resides.
The Consult port and communicate with the engine, transmission, ABS, and SRS modules, but not the BCM unfortunately.
Nissan DataScan I software works with the CONSULT port not the OBD2 port.
Port Reference:

Additional Info

If you want your “meat and potatoes” and to be able to communicate with the ABS and SRS, the Autel 619 plus the consult connector and cable may be your best bet.
With the new cable and connector, you can connect through the Consult port and communicate with the engine, transmission, ABS, and SRS modules, but not the BCM unfortunately.
So, for anyone reading this and planning on using the MD802 only on a 95-99 Maxima, an option to save some money is to go for the Autel 619 instead. It can communicate with the engine; and the ABS and SRS (no transmission) assuming you spend the extra $39 for the consult adapter connector and the male-to-male cable. The Autel AL619 is quite a bit cheaper than the MD802.
Make sure your terminals are the same as the 802 that I have. Meaning, they’ll both be 15 pins and the same shape, but your 619 could have a male fitting where 802 had a female.