Adapters OBD connector formats. Each manufacturer uses its own vehicle standard OBD connector. Although the OBD connector is physically different OBD protocol is the same. This section adapters of different formats from different manufacturers to standard OBD connector format. The OBD connector is the J1962 standard. OBD Adapters, OBD2, OBD II and EOBD. The initials mean OBD On Board DiagnOstic, or what is the same, system board diagnostics. The OBD-II connector what rules include for most manufacturers and to program the various functions of vehicles and make reading the data stored in the onboard computer.