OBD II Code Reader Recommendation?

Hey all, Last year I replaced the OEM exhaust system with a Fabspeed system (headers, 200 cell cats, mufflers, X-pipe, etc.). Now, every once in awhile, my CEL comes on. I clear it (rather, I take it to the shop and they clear it), and it stays off, sometimes for months, then pops back on. The codes seem to indicate that the cats have gone bad. My indy shop guy says it's probably just something I will have to live with. I'd like to get an OBD II code reader so that I can clear the CEL myself. Any recommendations for a good inexpensive OBD II reader that will clear the CEL? If you have any other great advice, I'm open to hearing that, too. Thanks in advance! (Also, my seat belt dash light stays on all the time. There are no error codes, and the OBD II shows that the computer indicates that the belts are latched, so it doesn't seem to be the belt receptacle. The indy guy says that's probably something I just have to live with too, since it's probably a computer glitch somewhere. He says I could spend a small fortune trying to track it down. He's a very reputable Porsche indy. Any suggestions there?).

Any cheap 50$ scanner on amazon will clear a CEL.

I picked up an Actron OBDII scanner on Amazon dirt cheap - $40ish, maybe, but really ANY of the OBDII scanners on Amazon will work for reading and clearing codes. Like this... Amazon.com: Actron CP9125 PocketScan Code Reader: Automotive Amazon.com: Actron CP9125 PocketScan Code Reader: Automotive There are cheaper scanners, but the Actron listed above is (allegedly) updatable so it's a little future-proof... The really cheap scanners will give you the code, and you can Google what it means. The ones with larger displays will give you the full text of the trouble code without having to search, but you'd want to double-check the results with a list like the one below to make sure there's no Porsche-specific info you should be aware of... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/boxst...e-listing.html

Depending on whether you're an Android fan or an Apple fan, I have different recommendations for you Let me know.

If I'm going on a road trip, I throw my scanner in whatever car I'm driving. That way if I throw a code, I can find a parking lot and determine if it's a worry-about-now or worry-about-later issue.

BTW, would this be covered under Fabspeed's warranty?

Ahsai, the bluetooth/wifi lashups are neat, but having a POS scanner is kind of nice too.

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He wouldn't know until he reads the codes. MAF is always a suspect with intermittent MIL lights... *edit* I'm a dork. Cats. Might be going bad, but you might also try a spacer for the downstream 02 sensors to see if that would be sufficient to get the readings back in line.

I love my Torque app for Andrid. Better than anything other than a Durametric and less than $25 including the Bluetooth adapter from eBay.

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He can get both The bluetooth/wifi scanners offer more diagnostic capability than a POS scanner such as mode $5, $6 data and real-time sensor reading, which is essential to diagnose O2 and cat related issues, which is the case in point. His shop did and said the code points to the cats (in post #1). You are too Schnell

Oh, you want me to READ everything?

A good question. I will contact Fabspeed and see what they say. I don't think the cats are actually "bad" even though it periodically throws a code. I think the computer is just set up to read from the OEM cats. But, I really have no clue how all that stuff is integrated. The last two times the CEL came on was under identical circumstances. Both times, I overfilled the gas tank (so that it came out the filler spout) just before driving up to Los Angeles. Both times, the CEL came on while I was on the freeway half way to LA. I think I gotta stop driving to LA. Android. Galaxy III. I don't mind paying more if it gives me better functionality. Argghhh... the CEL just came on for my POS Hyundai, too. Sheesh.

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Don't quote me on this but I think Fabspeed does say their sport cats will not trip the CEL. Most users will not tolerate CEL anyway so that's not surprising. Great. I would recommend this Amazon.com: Super Mini ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 OBD-II Bluetooth CAN-BUS Auto Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP, Vista, Win7, OSX and Android: Automotive Amazon.com: Super Mini ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 OBD-II Bluetooth CAN-BUS Auto Diagnostic Tool for Windows XP, Vista, Win7, OSX and Android: Automotive and the $5 Android Torque Pro app. A more well built version is http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html but really not necessary. Try the blue one above first, cheap enough to throw away if you don't like it. Let me know once you get it. I can tell you exactly what to read and understand what the hell's going on with your cats

I used the elm327 (stated above) combined with a low profile obdII cable extension which allows me to keep the elm327 plugged in at all times (tucked away between the footwells). I also have an Android based head unit which allows me to get all the info and reset the codes directly from my head unit.

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Without the sleep function (the blue dongle), does it drain your battery?

Some ecu's are more finicky than others and will occasionally trip the cel when using 200 cell cats. I would recommend getting o2 extender bungs off e bay for $20 and try that first. Lots of guys with similiar issues were cured by getting o2 extenders. Unfortunately most of the Porsche crowd isn't as hardcore as other groups so there currently is no correlated data on which ecu revision programs are the finicky ones. Although I can appreciate the smartphone Bluetooth readers, sometimes it's good to just have a $20 scanner if all your looking to do is to clear the generic codes or are willing to look up generic codes and match them to a more detailed description. I've had this one for over 5 years and it served me well on multiple vehicles. $18 shipped. Amazon.com: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles: Automotive Amazon.com: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles: Automotive Btw, I also have more elaborate scanners in my arsenal too.

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It's supposed to have a sleep function, but to be safe, I actually spliced the power line from the obd extension cable to the head unit power, so now it only powers on when the ignition is on. This is a semi-permanent, totally hidden installation of the OBDII reader that I have had on now for 4 months with no issues at all, and is of course 100% reversible.... 15 min install and <$30

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Clever!

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I guess you guys are missing my point. The stand alone simple scanner can only read codes and it will not plot real sensor data, don't have mode 5&6, which will help OP diagnosing his issue or at least understand what is happening w/o bring the car to the mechanic all the time.

Ahsai, what do you recommend for those of us on iPhone?

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I have not tried it yet but scorchpa raved about this one Amazon.com: LYL� Elm327 WIFI Wirless OBD2 Car Diagnostic Reader Scanner Scan Tool for Iphone iPad iOS PC: Automotive Amazon.com: LYL� Elm327 WIFI Wirless OBD2 Car Diagnostic Reader Scanner Scan Tool for Iphone iPad iOS PC: Automotive It should work on iOS and Android. The problem with apple is I have not seen one app as good as Android Torque in terms of diagnostic capability but then I have not been following Apple apps that closely so maybe they have something diff now. Maybe scorchpa can comment more.

Asahai, so that cheapo $8 one will actually give useful info an also let me reset the CEL? I was a bit confused, since your later post indicates that the cheapo ones don't give diagnostic info I will need. So, if you still recommend that one, I'll buy it and then PM you for info. At $8.95 and free shipping, not much to lose there! As an update: Coincidentally, today a buddy of mine was over at the indy shop that installed my Fabspeed system (a different shop than the one that cleared out the code for me). My buddy was talking to the shop owner, and mentioned the issues I was having. So, the owner called me this afternoon. He says that if the code pops up again, bring it in to him and there is apparently something he can tweak. I'm not sure what. And correct, Fabspeed claims it won't trip CEL. Indy Shop #1 (the one that cleared the code this morning) says that the CEL might be tripping because I track the car, which is harder on cats. (the cats are less than a year old). Indy Shop #2 owner told me today that Fabspeed has a lifetime warranty, so at least I'm not worried there. The whole Fabspeed set-up cost a small fortune.). Anyway, I do like to learn, so I'd still like to get a cheap code reader. Question: Why does Porsche keep its codes so super secret? Schnelly, thanks for the Pelican code link.

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$8 one will do everything you need (read codes, clear codes, read all engine parameters etc). I do have the WiFi version, but primarily use it with Torque in Android. I've downloaded a couple free or $1 apps on Wifi, and you can still do everything Torque can, just UI isnt as nice. Now if you really want to do everything, then you're talking duramatic which is a couple hundred bucks, but for just clearing and reading codes as well as reading the main engine parameters, the $8 unit is a no brainer.

Thanks! Placing my order now. EDIT: Order has been placed. I went for the "Super Mini ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 OBD-II Bluetooth CAN-BUS" one. Amazon says 17 to 28 days shipping. I tried a few vendors and all say the same, so I assume this is some default Amazon time frame. Hard to imagine it could take that long to get here. I'll let you know once it shows up. Yeah, sounds like a good idea. When the CEL came on the first time time, I spent a lot of time worrying on the rest of the drive up to LA and back .

Yes, the cheapo $8 will do everything you need and more because the power is in the software - Android Torque, which reports data values (e.g., O2 sensor voltage) in realtime and mode 5 and 6 data. I was commenting those simple stand alone scanners though handy for reading and resetting codes, they won't help you understand and diagnose cat, O2 sensor related issues.

Torque Pro app + $8 bluetooth scanner plotting the precat and postcat O2 sensor voltages in time. What you're looking at is a bad bank 1 cat and a healthy bank 2 cat 2014-01-23_18-25-14.png

OK, great.... Looks like another toy for me to have fun with! So, to belabor the point... I'm assuming I need to go to the app store and buy this Torque Pro App?

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Correct. It's $5 with change but before that, you could just download the free verion - Torque Lite to test your OBDII scanner and setup to make sure it communicates with your car correcty. Torque Lite can already read and reset codes but has very limited capability.

OK, thanks again. I'll put in some OT at the fry station and earn some $$ to pop for the full Torque Pro.

Looks like Torque Pro is only for Android phones, got a recommendation for iPhones?

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POssible since most of them ship from Hong Kong or China. How about this one? Amazon Amazon

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Pls see post #21. The key is to find the right app. Apple apps are OK for people interested in track data overlay, hp, mpg, etc. but they are pretty weak in diagnostic capbility. Torque is extremely good at Diagnostic capability. It even supports some extended PID like Toyota hybrid, Mazda, etc.

Just get el cheapo from ebay for $16 shipped.. lol I have one and I have always been able to read codes and erase them. Simple enough.

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The way I understood it the OP just wanted something to clear cel and nothing more. If you want more like you have stated then yes, a simple scanner like this will not meet your needs.

As always, a wealth of very appreciated info, think I'll trade out one of the iPhones for a 'droid & get the App, thanks!

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Before you do that, take a look at this one http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mxwf.html Its $100 now. I peordered one at $70 at the initial Kickstart project phase. Still waiting for it to be delivered. It is a WiFi based scanner which works on both Android, iOS and Windows. The beauty of this is it works with OBDFusion, which provides similar capability as Torque (real-time sensor reading, modes 5&6) and it also works with Torque on Android phones, all via WiFi. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/obd-...650684932?mt=8 At $100, it's less attractive but if you don't want to get stuck with a single OS, this is a good albeit expensive option at this price.

The reviews for that App are outstanding, I'll get going that way as I have too many devices and vehicles around here to get locked in to a single OS, thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

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Anytime I haven't read the reviews of the app but I'm using its Android version and I like it. Torque has a little bit better user interface but if you want mode 5&6 data, this is the ONLY iOS app that does it.

I recently purchased a 1999 C4 Cab with the full Fabspeed performance package. I drove it from Arizona to Colorado and the CEL came on about half way home. I brought it in to the local Porsche dealer for an oil change and a full checkup and they said the O2 sensors were weak and they would be $1400 to replace. They suggested leaving them for now. Today I went in for a Colorado emissions check and they found a bad gas cap and the CEL light came on again. I bought a $50 OBD2 pocket scanner at the local auto parts store and it read P1276 which is the O2 sensors. I erased all error codes and all is good now.

Update: 5/8/2014: OK, so my CEL came on again today. I ordered the "Super Mini ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 OBD-II Bluetooth CAN-BUS" which arrived a couple weeks ago, and today I installed the Torque Pro app. The scanner comes with a mini-CD. My computer doesn't like it... when I try to load the CD, the computer just keeps spitting it back out. There were no paper instructions of any sort, so I have no idea what is on the CD. Anyway, I was able to get the following fault codes (see below). Ahsai, 1. How did you get those screen captures from the phone? I went old-school, and used a camera to take a picture of my phone screen. 2. I couldn't figure out how you got into those screens that plot " precat and postcat O2 sensor voltages in time." 3. I can't figure out how to clear the codes. 4. Is it OK to just leave that scanner plugged in all the time? Again, I have no instructions at all, so maybe the CD would provide elucidation, if the CD could actually be read. Here's the info I obtained:

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1. Screen capture on Samsung phones see here http://www.androidcentral.com/how-ta...g-galaxy-s-iii Based on your Mode 6 tests, they both failed (marginally) so the only remedy is a set of new cats I suggest you show the screenshot to Fabspeed and ask for their warranty. 2. On the home screen of Torque, click on the "Realtime Information" icon then flip to an empty page. Then touch and hold the screen to get the "Add display" option. Then select "Graph" and one of the O2 sensor voltage. Repeat so you cover all 4 sensors. With the mode 6 test results above, I expect to see the postcat sensors follow the precat sensors swinging (for good cats, the postcat will stay at 0.6-0.7v steady during idle) 3. Go to home screen of Torque and click the "Fault Codes" icon. Then click on the "menu" on your phone (should be at the lower right bottom corner). Then select "Clear faults on ECU" 4. No, it will drain the battery BTW, under the "Realtime Information" icon, one of the pages should be "Emission Readiness", can you read that as well?

BTW, those mode 6 tests don't run every drive cycle so if you clear the codes, it will take some time and multiple drive cycles before the tests are run. The tests may or may not fail because they are right at the failure boundary as indicated by the allowed value (max) and measured value (current). If one of both of the test fail, the CEL will be tripped.

Thanks for the quick reply! I'm going to try and take the car into the shop tomorrow where the Fabspeed stuff was installed. Good info about the multiple drive cycles. One more Q for now: What the heck is on that CD? Do I need it?

Anytime! I never bother to check that CD. I doubt there's anything useful that your laptop can do but your phone can't. Btw, my car runs those tests probably once or twice a week and I drive it everyday. Every time you will get a little diff results with the tests but the measured vales should be around the same ball park numbers.

OK, I'll keep you guys posted with how this pans out. Oh! I forgot about that palm-swipe thing for the screen shot capture on Galaxy III. I used it a year or so ago, then forgot all about it. Pretty amazing what an $8 scan tool and a $5 app can do. Who would have guessed a few years ago that I could diagnose my car's cats from my telephone. Alexander Graham Bell would be proud.

Cuda, not sure if you mentioned it before but how many miles are on your aftermarket cats?

About 5,000 mile or so. They were installed last year, I think around July. They should be under warranty, so I'm not worrying much. Yet. If Fabspeed doesn't stand behind their product, I will raise holy hell like holy hell has never been raised.

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Barring any precat exhaust leak, they should be convinced if you show them the P04xx error codes, the failed mode 6 tests, and the readiness tests that show O2 sensor test has passed. Also tell them it can't be the O2 sensors as they will have their own codes. It would be even better if you can show the O2 sensor plots when engine is idling. That will clearly show the O2 sensors are operating correctly.

Also, I installed all four brand new O2 sensors when I installed the cats. I have receipts for all of the work.

OK, reran the test and graphed the voltages. Test results were the same as originally (It says refreshing 3%, but that's the third refresh): .

Um, I think you picked the wrong PIDs to graph. Check post #26 again. I picked "02 Volts Bank 1 sensor 1", "O2 Volts Bank 1 sensor 2" and so on. The reading should be between 0 and 1 at all times. The pids you picked are wrong amd the reading of 33.5 is not real, just an artifact of the app. Most likely those pids don't exist so they have values of 0.

Gotcha... there were quite a few sensor choices, wasn't sure if I picked the right one. I picked the one called "O2 Sensor wide-range voltage". You are 100% right, it's an artifact, because I just now looked at it in my living room, not connected to the car, and it ran that same graph. I just now watched a few You Tube videos. Looks like this little adapter and Torque Pro can provide a ton of info, There are some plug-ins that look pretty good for the app too, like track recording. I gots me some learnin' to do. Hey, at least I can do a proper screen capture now!

the little adaptor is a no brainer if you use android phone.

Gonna take out all my gauges out of my cluster, hvac control, and radio and install a phone dock in my cluster. I'll have Siri translate my voice commands to the various controls. Then I'll write a plugin that will let BT w/md5 algorithm control my alarm and door lock/arm via proximity sensor. Unfortunately, only a pipe dream for me as I'm married w/kids. it would be pretty cool though.

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Or you can lower your goal by writing an ims post filter or better yet train Siri on ims so ppl will go ask Siri instead of posting here

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Actually there are several php script examples that you can run for the vBulletin forum system that will look for threads that have a restricted word(ie: IMS) and automatically move them to another forum or area. Question is if the moderators or site owner is willing to use these or implement them here.

Update 5/9/2014: Took the car to the shop today. We decided to just clear the error codes again and keep an eye on it. At least now it's documented at the shop. We may be bugging Fabspeed for replacement cats the next time the error code pops up. Ahsai, great recommendation on that OBDII tool. Thanks! As you stated in an earlier post, it is a very powerful tool when paired with the Torque Pro app. I was apprehensive about buying a diagnostic tool that didn't have any display attached, but this one turns out to be much better than the minimal displays on typical OBDII readers. Not like the good ol' days of counting flash codes.

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Anytime! Glad you like it. It can do a lot other diagnostic if you know what to look for and how to use it e.g., it can be used to diagnose battery/charging system, SAI system, MAF sensor, etc. Also it's super handy and easy to use. Just plug it in and fire up the app and you can check your o2 sensor graphs immediately. Try to do that with Durametric I have Durametric as well which has its own capability but for your case this time, the Torque app is better. Based on your mode 6 reading, it shouldn't take too long before the CEL came back on, maybe a few wks... The configurable display is definitely nicer than those LCD stand-alone readers. Smartphones are just amazing nowadays.

Well after waiting weeks for my ELM 327 to arrive it shows only to be a bunk unit from what I can tell. Can't get it to pair with my bluetooth. Arg.........

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What device are you connecting to? Apple doesn't work with the BT protocol of the ELM 32, you need the wifi unit with an iPhone or iPad.

Thanks. Yes was trying through Bt and not wifi. Getting closer. Need to research aps more closely.

So this thread is a few years old now. What is the current thought as to best reader to get? Reading through the old threads, it looks like the devices that blue tooth to an android or PC is the way to go as opposed to the standard OB 2 device? I'm not a mechanic, just want to be able to look at car dynamics and check codes etc.

The best but expensive is the Durametric. http://www.durametric.com But I purchased a Autel Code reader for Porsche. It reads all modules, but doesn't have all the control of the Durametric. http://www.autel.com

I have a cheapo OBDII dongle that plugs into the car, and use either DashCommand or OBD Fusion apps on my iPhone / iPad. Torque is apparently good if you're on Android. Minimal investment that paid for itself the first time I used it - tracked a CEL on the Explorer down to a $25 part that took 15 minutes to replace, instead of going to the dealership. Doesn't do any of the Porsche-specific stuff of course.

I am looking for a cheap OBD2 scanner for iPhone. There are lots on ebay or amazon and cannot decide. Which one would you recommend and which app is best on iOS? I am just looking at engine parameters and code readers. Thanks.

Dino, I wouldn't go cheap on this. Most of those super cheap OBD2 readers don't read all the modules on the Porsche. Your best bet is to go with a Durametric. But I have a reader by Autel that supports most all major European cars including Porsche. So far it works great! http://www.auteltech.com/autelcms/Pr...ools/365.jhtml

I'm still confused on exactly which unit to purchase. I'm probably not experienced enough to get all the benefits from the Durametric unit, and hoped for something that is compatible with iPhone or Mac, and less expensive? Specific model recommendations?

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https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...er-2015-a.html

Ahsai, so this?: https://www.amazon.com/Docooler-Wire...iglink20410-20

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You may want to PM CDLVancouver to see exactly which one he got. However, the two units mentioned in that thread on Amazon both have very high review ratings so either should work.

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I have this one, from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012MZGKOU/ Very basic, connects to the iPhone or iPad with wifi (not Bluetooth). Doesn't do any of the Durametric / Porsche-specific stuff, of course. But it does the job I purchased it for and works fine with DashCommand or OBD Fusion. NB the apps are a few $$$ extra.