ODB-2 Readers for the DYI'er

[Mike Juzenas]

Now that I am moving from the SC world into the 993 world, I need to understand how to read diagnostics codes from the ODB-2 support port on my 96 Targa.

I know there appears to be several tools to do this, including:

1 - Bosch Hammer. Have not seen the prices for this baby but apparently its quite expensive ($3K?). Anyone sourced one and how expensive is it really?

2 - Laptop based solutions such as shown on Apparently this software can read the codes off Porsches, but can't access the Porsche specific areas? (I have a laptop so this software looks cool!)

3 - Third party ODB-II scanner from an automotive parts dealer. Do these boxes go far enough to know the error codes, etc?

I have the 993 shop manuals which goes into how to use the Hammer...but this does not help me if I am not using the Hammer.

What are the DYI'ers doing out there?

Thanks!

[Doug Zielke]

Well Mike, I told you leaving the SC brotherhood and buying that 993 would lead you down a slippery slope.
If you'd have kept the faithful ol' SC this is the only "hammer" you'd need:

[Mike Juzenas]

Doug, I am hurt. Have you had forgotten about our deal? I thought I was to go to the "dark side", suffering with a 96 993 Targa with working A/C and legible nighttime instrumentation, to bring back to the SCWDP evidence that it needs in its continuing quest.....woops, forgot this is a public forum.....

Of course, having owned and wrenched extensively on my own SC over the last seven years, I figured I needed something more technically challenging to keep my interest. You can only index torsion bar suspension a few times before it becomes routine!

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I bought the Ottoscan software from Baum Tools, $395, and it reproduces all the functions of a $4,000 dealer OBD computer via my wife's Palm Pilot. (Doesn't require marriage as a precondition of functionality, it's just that she has A Real Job while I sit home and play.) We happen to have a pre-OBD Porsche, but I use it on our 2000 Audi S4 and our daughter's twin-cam Neon with enormous success. Reads and interprets fault codes, turns them off, records engine pramaters graphically and has a host of other functions. It's advertised in the usual Porsche magazines.

Stephan

[john70t]

You should check out EASE software, it has a standard 16 pin Data Link Connector for OBD2 (and others availablefor OBD1) and does the same things as factory scanners (oem and generic side all in one). The readout has the best customizable screen on the market- easy to read and switch around, and it has many different record functions for later viewing of data and fault codes.
Some things to check though- I don't know if they have complete(or any) European compatability(US and JAP is very good). The german factorys have a reputation or not being very forthcoming with info even with their own mechanics. Also find out if the data transfer rate is the same for reading O2 sensor waveforms. It probably is and nessesary for finding problematic sensors.

You also might want to spend $25/year (single vehicle) for an Alldata account-good access to the factory TSBs(technical service bullitins). I found there was one for my 87 Golf heater core after it exploded hot water all over me .

[Bobboloo]

Is this a DME based car? I'm not up on the later cars so excuse the ignorance but if it is a DME based engine you can at least get error code readouts without a computer. DME cars after 91' will spit out fault codes via the check engine light with no ancillary equipment. Kind of morse Code style.

Bobby
72'Coupe
72'Roadster Project
92'MBZ 300TE