Universal Data. Link Connector (DLC)

All OBD II certified vehicles must use a standardized 16 pin DLC. The regulations also control it's location (visible from the kneeling position looking under the driver's side of the dash). The data link connector has been moved from the seat member to a position under the steering wheel and also has a new connector. The pins carrying power,ground and OBD II communication have standardized locations, load and data stream characteristics. Manufacturers are free to utilize the remaining pins in the connector for communicating with their other systems.

The way that all the different manufacturers utilize these "extra" pins may vary a great deal. If everyone has does a good job of designing safeguards into their systems you may not hurt anything by plugging a scan tool designed for one make of car into the diagnostic plug for another. But you can't be sure! A true "generic" scan tool will use only those pins whose function is fixed by law and would be safe to plug into any vehicle. There is no requirement that dedicated scan tools such as Intellegant Saab Tester (ISAT) or TECH I must be compatible with other OBD II cars just because they share the same connector.

Until informed otherwise, the safest course will be use only ISAT when working on a Saab and to resist the temptation to try it on other makes.