Quote Originally Posted by 56Safari View Post
The plugs are cheap enough you could always put a meter on one as you insert it to see if it shorts.
Thanks that's a good idea. I really think that the narrowed down tip is designed that way to prevent shorting.

Another option would be a 3 pin XLR connector, it's a bit larger but they will definitely not short out and the connectors lock into place when inserted.
Yeah I found several cheap 3-pin connectors but all of them are a lot bigger than an audio connector. I would also want a cover for it to protect it and so it wouldn't show. I really like the idea of having such a small diameter connector for the laptop, like the audio plug. Otherwise I need to hide it better, like inside the console box with a cover on it. Putting it inside the box makes it a lot more difficult to remove the box if needed to get to the ECU.

I think I'll try getting an audio connector pair and see if it will work. Thanks for the info.