Thanks for the reply...now you have me wondering if I'm plugging into the correct slot...I flip down the access door and the OBDII scanner plugs right in...is there another plug in..??I looked everywhere for the emissions sticker...it's supposed to say if it is OBDII compliant....Where might I find it..??..seems like this scanner is stuck in display test of the led's..I drive a 95 Taurus SHO...I'm used to jumping pins to get the check engine light to run test and flash codes...I'm just guessing his "check engine" light has tripped from 02 sensor's as the exhaust smell is pretty rich and they haven't been changed...he just turned 100k miles....thanks again for any info