CEL Light - Diagnostics at Autozone??
 

just looking for thoughts here.

Recently my CEL came on, and not having a durametric, I took my 1999 996 to my local autozone and had them read the codes. They didn't have Porsche as an option, so they used Volkswagon and printed the codes for me.

I looked the codes up on line and took my baby to my indy and the codes that were read at Autozone were the same that were read by my indy.

They were also able to clear the codes after I replaced my MAF, but had me 'push the button'.

I know this does not compare to a Durametric, but it does seem to be an option when there are not others available.

This is good info. I hope to never be forced to do this, but its good to know.

What year car are we talking about here?

unfortunately the old cars lack a check engine light or OBD 1/2 (on board diagnostics). OBD 2 started in 1996 model year and 1 was 4-5 years before that.

1999 996

i send many people there. they are not allowed to reset it themselves.

In my experience, the multi-make OBD II readers in use at most FLAPS can read the standard (mandated?) codes, but my not give the detail that the manufacturers' readers can give. But that is the whole point of OBD II, to have a standardized diagnostic tool that will detect the basics of a modern digitally-controlled engine.