996 Diagnostic Software

Having spoken to various Pcar owners here (we're only three so far! but a potential other 10 can be contacted ) and our common mechanic who services them, well what can he do besides changing pads, filters and oil?! Also Considering the non-availability of dealers in Nigeria for Pcars.. I am writing this to ask whether there is a decent but not complicated aftermarket software/cable that can be hooked to our pcars (mainly boxsters and carrera rangin from 96~02 models)and a laptop to diagnose our engines and electronics? We can share the cost and eventually get one of us to learn how it is done. At least we can solve minor problems.. Any suggestions to keep the legacy alive over here?! Waz 996 C2 99 Trying hard? Try harder..

Why don't you just ask Porsche AG to give you the dealership for Nigeria??? Sounds like it is up for grab and a growing market. S.

...and what are the pre-requisites of such a dealership? I can seriously talk to my mechanic about it here.. Fadz! See your idea is naturally occuring on this side of the planet after all!! Wael <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

This place has the software and the cable (I think) I bought it about a year ago. This software is the generic software for OBD II, which is the USA EPA version, how that will work were you are is an unknown. It gives general fault codes, intake temperatures, etc... So far I did use it to reset an error in the Nisan minivan (No errors in the Porsche. All you need is a STANDARD SERIAL PORT on your laptop, the other end plugs in under the dash, above where your right knee is. You could buy the machine from Porsche, I saw it on e-bay last year for about $ 6000. That one will let you do everything, including set the volume on the radio! Anyway, try this link <a href="http://www.obd-2.com" target="_blank">ODB TOOLS WEB SITE</a> By the way, are you always on line??

Thanks Tom, I'll wait for more 'cheaper' feedback, if any out there! But still I'll look into yr link, i remember i saw it a long time back and didnt really take notice of it.. Maybe it could be it afterall.. Yes am always online coz i'm on permanent wireless connection here in my house(actually i own shares in the isp here!).. PC is always on in the TV room. I refresh my rennpage every while (you can add this to the Pcar geek post!) That explains! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> Waz

You might try: <a href="http://www.baumtools.com/" target="_blank">http://www.baumtools.com/</a> They had an ad in the current "Excellence" that showed a scan tool. Good luck. Roy

Try these guys: <a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.ross-tech.com/index.html</a> They were used frequently by the Audi S4 guys. Elias

MESSAGE FROM ROSS-TECH: &gt;Wael, &gt; &gt;Sorry, but we do not make any diagnostic &gt;equipment for Porsche. &gt; &gt;Regards, &gt;Andy One down, two to go.. Wael

[quote]Originally posted by Waz996: <strong> Fadz! See your idea is naturally occuring on this side of the planet after all!! Wael <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote> Wazu, It will never work there, don't even think about it. It is a very small market with no hope. Try anyway, who knows what is happening in this world. Moreover i don't find the amount of money Tom 919 mentioned in his post is expensive, if you can find 10 ppl like you said to share the cost, i guess it would be reasonable. fadzi

Wazu try this site, got it lately from DonW, maybe it helps. fadzi

I have run several versions both in laptop form and Palm pilot form. There is a place that sells the software and the cords. It is some what generic but does work well. I couldn't continue to use is as the cords are serial based and my latest laptop supports 8 USB ports. The converters will not emulate the proper baud rate needed to talk to OBD2. I had a Palm Pilot that I wasn't using and contacted Baum for the software and cord for that. The rest is history. The software will track live data as well as snapshot the values and read all the codes. It is a great little piece. The cost was around 400.00 but one trip for you guys to the dealer would get that. To my surprise the software also was for any other make not just Euro cars. I have read and cleared codes in my wife's Grand Cherokee. The OBD2 ports are a standard configuration. The name of the laptop software is <a href="http://www.obd-2.com/" target="_blank">http://www.obd-2.com/</a>

P-Doctor (!) That's great to know.. I have already emailed the site support there and i hope they will get back to me. I will let you know also. There is hope after all! Waz

Waz, The link I gave you WAS for OBD2.Com. $ 122.00 for the software and the cable. $ 6 grand is the one from Porsche. That one does all the proprietary stuff, like lock doors at 15 Kph or dim the lights after a certain amount of time, fool with the radio and stuff like that. The OBD II kit only gives you engine codes ( Errors, RPM,intake temp, etc..... ) It does, however, work on a lot of cars

Tom/Doctor, Thanks again for the link.. Now I contacted the site support and they send me this reply: _______________________________________ The ISO model $122 USD, will support all OBD2 equipped cars except Ford and GM. Will use the 9 pin male serial port of laptop or PC. Vehicles will need 16 pin d-shaped female connector, usually by steering wheel, and best if manufactured year 98+ if not intended for sale in USA. Can download current and future software from web site, includes help file. Add $14 for Express Mail ship. Thank you, Car Code, Alex C Peper _______________________________________ Ok, now i can buy the software but where do i get the cables??!! My mechanic is excited about the idea and he's telling me to get the cables of BMW, Merc, Japs, Porsche, etc.. Any ideas to help?! Waz

This is from Alex, creator of ODB2: &lt;The Tricom $182 and 3-combo $162, both will support all obd2 or EOBD equipped cars. Common to all cars is 16 pin d-shaped female connector, the software will try all pins and hardware until one is found. All scan tools will contain only on cable and connector. The Tricom has a more compact interface case design. Have shipped to Dubai OK, USPS Tracked Express Mail Service. dd $20. Notify when transfer is completed.&gt; I WILL ORDER THE CABLE/SOFTWARE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GET IT.. AM SURE IT WILL HELP DOING SMTHG, BETTER THAN NOT DOING ANYTHING AT ALL! WAZ

I have had the OBD II for over a year now and it is great value for the money! have used it on my P-car, Jeep and wifes navigator!

Dranon, How easy is it to use? What does it help you with exactly? I'd really like to know! Do you need a lot of experience in the system or is it more self learning? More info from you will really help! Wael