Advice on Purchasing Code Scanner - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

I'm interested in purchasing a basic code scanner/diagnostics tool to have on hand for DIY projects . I've come across products by Actron, Innova and the like. Any recommendations on which one to buy ? JD p.s. The simpler the better .

Depends upon where you are going; for Porsche only work, the Durametric system is you current best bet. For general purpose OBD II on multiple makes, Actron makes some great tools at very reasonable prices, but they cannot read or clear Porsche “protected code” areas (ABS, airbags, etc.), while the Durametric can, but cannot be used on non-Porsche vehicles…………

For starters, I'm looking to clear a code (P0102) involving the MAF sensor. I don't imagine that I will ever have a need to address issues with the ABS, airbags ect... Will the Actron reset this code ?

Yes. The areas where it won't work (protected codes) are all "saftey" related, such as ABS, PSM, PASM, airbags, etc. The Actron (as well as just about everyone else's OBD II scanners) also cannot activate the "drive modules" like the Durametric system can.

I bought this one and works great.. on my Lexus, wifes Escalade, and the Porsche.. easy to use and not too expensive.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CRAFTSMAN-87702-OBD2-DIAGNOSTIC-TOOL-BRAND-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5643d68f02QQitemZ37050 5322242QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

I've got an Actron that I purchased back in 2005. It works great on my 00 986, but it doesn't work on my wife's 07 BMW X3. I've seen OBD II apps for my iPhone, and I am intrigued. I've also got the Durametric, and I am a bit disappointed (got it with my Softronic reflash). Yeah, it does all of the OBD II stuff, and I can reset an airbag light, but I was hoping for more. It allows you to test many systems by activating them with the engine off, but it does not permit permanent deactivation of anything. I need to disable the spoiler mechanism (I've got the Aerokit II, so all of the factory moveable spoiler is gone), remove the door airbags, and get rid of the secondary air injection. All of that is beyond the Durametric programing.

I purchased an Actron...does the job for me, though it is very basic. I use it more on the daily drivers than I do the Box, as it has never thrown a code.

You can't get more basic or more portable (or cheaper) than the one I bought: http://www.launchx431.ca/c-reader-iv.php I paid $40

There's a slew of no name brand scanners going for cheap on ebay. I wonder if any of them are acceptable for what I need it for ? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBD-II-SCANNER-OBD2-2-SCAN-TOOL-CODE-READER-OBDII-ENHAN-/380335464236?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item588dc29f2c#ht_8585wt_1167

I've had this a few years and it works for most issues. Neighbors and friends have borrowed it a few times too and they all give it a thumbs up. It's versatile and easy to use.

for the money, Durametric really isn't much more than a generic hand scanner. it doesn't even do coding like activate/deactivate airbags or turn on the OBC. check out VAG-COM for vw's/audis if you want to see what a pc-based scanner should be. http://www.ross-tech.com/ using Vag-Com on a vw you can recode just about anything you can think of. when Durametric is at the level of Vag-Com or the factory scan tool, i'll think about it.

If you only need to clear the code and nothing else you could just disconnect the battery. In fact that might be a good idea anyway for a MAF sensor issue because you want the car to discard all its previous fuel trim adaptation values. Sometimes clearing the code with a scanner will do it but disconnecting the battery is guaranteed to force the car to relearn.

I would never recommend going that route; "dump" clearing of codes often leaves you knowing less than you did when you started. First, with out knowing what codes are involved, you are flying totally blind and trying to diagnose the car based upon guess work rather than facts. Often, there is more than one code, plus underlying "pending" codes that taken together will point you in a different diagnostic direction than you had planned. We recently had a car in the shop who's owner had repeatedly replaced several different and expensive components in an attempt to end a persistent CEL; all without ever running a scan on the car. We scanned it, read two codes, did a $65 repair, and the CEl had not returned; and our bill was a small fraction of what he had already spent.

Purchased two of the cheap chinese code readers. First one on ebay for $20 never worked. Second on NewEgg for $39 worked once and thereafter would not recognize connection to vehicle, even with the connection light at the connector lite and the laptop recogizing the USB connection to Durametric cable. This one also turned out to be junk. Going to have to cough up the $285 and get the real thing.

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Yes happens alot. Thanks for searching & reporting your experience. Durametric works great.

give Durametric a call and ask they have any refurbished ones. Might save you a few $$

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I have done a lot of searches and find conflicting data. What can Durametric Enthusiast version do that an Actron tool (CP9135) cannot do? I would like to diagnose which microsensor is failing in my 2001 Boxster S. I would also like to see the count of over-revs on the car. Finally, I would someday like to turn on the OBC. Thanks! John

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If the sensor is in a "protected" sub system, the Actron cannot help you. It will also not read the over revs, or turn on the OBC. The correct Durametric system will do all of them.

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Thanks for the quick reply. Can you tell me if a current "Enthusiast" durametric tool will give me the over-revs or the OBC? From their website is the following: "Differences There are two main differences between the Enthusiast and Professional Kits: The number of cars supported: The Professional kits support an unlimited number of cars. The Enthusiast kits support up to three cars only. The limitation of the Enthusiast kit is based on the car's VIN - not model. The Coding and Command Console features: Beginning with Durametric version 6, Durametric supports the Coding and Command Console features. These features are included with the Professional kits only. The Coding feature provides for the ability to enable or disable predefined features in the car such as airbags, daytime running lights, cruise control, and the rear spoiler where applicable. The Command Console feature is a means of communicating with the control units using very low-level communications. This feature is very seldom used." What I read is that "the ability to enable or disable predefined features in the car..." is what I want to do with the OBC so the Enthusiast version will not work. Is that an accurate interpretation? Thanks, John

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Yes, you can activate OBC via Durametric, and check on the over-revs if I am not mistaken.