Fault Code Reader

[Hilux2400]

I want to buy a fault code reader that I can use on a 911/996. It would also be helpful if I could use the reader to re-set codes.

Does anyone have an experience of particular models or best buys? I see that there are quite a few on the market in the £30 price range, but should I be looking up market and spending more money? As I will be plugging something into the ECU I want to make sure it will not mess things up.

H

[BliarOut]

http://obdsoftware.net/

You can download a trial and if you like it then buy it. I use a bluetooth OBDII transmitter. Works a treat, assuming you have a Windows laptop.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004KL0I9I/ref=...

ELM transmitter, code was actually 0000 not 1234!

Edited by BliarOut on Monday 17th December 16:55

[AndyT955]

http://www.durametric.com/default.aspx


Not cheap , but very good.

[Hilux2400]

Thanks for the replies. It might be helpful if I had something which I could use on vehicles other than a Porsche.

[BliarOut]

That which I posted is generic...

[Richard Hamilton]

What year is your 996? The early cars (UK models) with mechanical throttle are not OBD2 compatible. You can read some fault codes with generic code readers/scanners, but not all the Porsche-specific ones.

[Hilux2400]

Late 2003

[Hilux2400]

Late 2003

[Matt Seabrook]

OBD readers only read emissions related data and not manufacturer specific codes. Also things like air bags and abs is not read buy OBD code readers. If you want to want to read and sort you 996 then the Durametric code reader is very good and if you go the pro route and sell your Porsche it will still have some value on eBay.

[matjk]

I made the mistake of buying the copy durametric, I honestly didn't know it was a copy, I just googled, 'resetting Porsche airbag lead' a link came up for $14 came up, so I clicked it paid me money and the lead turned up 8 days latter, to be fair it did reset my air bag, but I had to select the wrong car, mines a boxster had to select 968???. I only needed it as local garage replace the window regulator and set the light off and I couldn't stand looking at it till the next service.Did have a poke about and look at rev ranges and hours run, Doubt I will ever use it again, so I don't fell that guilty

[Hilux2400]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

I think I will go for the OBD Link SX which is about £30 from the States. It will be useful on other cars as well.

H

[belfry]

I haven't had a Windows computer for more than 10 years.

What will work with a Mac?

[Rockster]

belfry said:

I haven't had a Windows computer for more than 10 years.

What will work with a Mac?

Doesn't look like it.

I plugged OBD Link SX into a google search and found the product. Looks like one has to buy additional modules to work with other car models.

I've used a stand alone Actron code reader for over 10 years. It doesn't work with CAN but the newer ones do. Auto X-ray is another brand with which I have some experience and it seems to be a nice tool.

My Actron has worked in every non-CAN car I have tried it in and I've tried it in a lot of cars. Friends, family, co-workers... as soon as someone knows you have one of these devices you are very popular.

I prefer the stand alone units because they are less fragile and able to withstand the banging around these devices get when used. My Actron has lived in the car, on the floorboard, behind the seat, in the trunk for years now.

[jackwood]

I just bought one of these for £39.99 off Amazon.



Seems great value and worked perfectly. Read and cleared a fault code generated by failing cats on my 996 GT3. Does a load of other things besides. I think it's pretty cheap and very convenient. Saves panicking and having to head down to the nearest garage every time a light blinks on.

[squirejo]

Jack- have a word with brendonj on here who iirc replaced 996gt3 cats earlier this yr and went through all the options

[Ian_UK1]

If you are looking for generic OBD-II software and an ELM-327 Interface then you can't go wrong with this: http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_ENG327P.html

I've used this tool (and other, manufacturer-specific packages) from Gendan for a couple of years to very good effect. Unusually, the software is apparently written in-house and the supplied ELM-327 interfaces are modified to ensure they're bug-free (unlike some of the cheaper, generic, Fleabay alternatives). Everything just works 'out of the box', their customer service is excellent and there's free software updates too.

As correctly stated earlier in the thread, this (and other 'generic' readers) are limited to mandated (i.e. emmissions-related) feeds and codes, but are useful for checking the basics. If you find you need a 'full' package that will interrogate all the modules in the car, can interpret codes from them all, has 'drive-link' functionality and is also capable of module coding, then Durametric (the 'Pro' version) is your best option, but is a LOT more expensive.

Edited by Ian_UK1 on Thursday 20th December 22:32

[jackwood]

squirejo said:

Jack- have a word with brendonj on here who iirc replaced 996gt3 cats earlier this yr and went through all the options

Thanks. Will do.

[Robin Hood]

I've had one of these for quite a while, very pleased with it:

http://www.talktomycar.co.uk/products/codereaders/...

[jackwood]

Robin Hood said:

I've had one of these for quite a while, very pleased with it:

http://www.talktomycar.co.uk/products/codereaders/...

That one is the same make, but has lesser functionality for exactly the same money as the one I got. I think those Autel ones on Amazon were more like 20quid, so definitely worth a shop around.

Basically it looks like the Autel ones do a good job. Not 100% sure if they can clear seatbelt/airbag fault codes though. Can anybody confirm?

[Matt Seabrook]

If it's EOBD only then no as stated it's emission specific and seat belts and srs dont come in to emissions. That said your not wasting much money if it does not tell you what you need to know.

The problem with fault code readers is they don't tell you what is wrong they just tell you that an EMS value is outside what the ECU would normally like to see during a specific drive cycle. You have to make a judgement call and diagnose the problem from the information given.

Edited by Matt Seabrook on Friday 21st December 22:22