pcarhombre

Actually, my search is not as bad as it may seem on a topic that has been much kicked around I have finally gotten to the point where I want/need to have a diagnostic tool. I was about to pull the trigger on the Durametric when my wife came in and informed me the '08 Honda threw a CEL. My question is this: Can I use this with the pcar, the Honda and I guess my Integra (since the Rookie version that I'm looking at only allows three cars)? If this is not the way to go since I'm mixing Sauerkraut & Sushi, what do you sages recommend?
TIA

911Dave

free bump. I'm interested too A fairly basic one that can read and erase codes as well as reset CEL and readiness flags without costing a bundle would be great.

deekay911

If you only want to read codes then don't spend much money - I picked one up for $30 on Amazon



- or even better go to Autozone and don't spend any money at all.

Kika

I have an Actron 9180. it reads, erases andresets and I have used it on the Porsche, 2 Toyotas and a Mazda 3. It also monitors drive cycle (ready or not)
I think it was a little over $100 or so.

I think there are even cheaper Actrons that also do all of the above.
I am happy with my Actron

techman1

Got an OBD2 reader for christmas last year. Relatively cheap, good for the Honda and '04 BMW. Not good for my '95 993, which is OBD1. Even if it was, I would still get a Durametric, for the added functionality of it. Just need to increase my tool budget, and get it past the CFO!! I guess I am saying "get them both"

For the original question, I seem to recall a poster saying the durametric is p-car specific.

Silver993

I have the Durametric as well as a handheld unit (Innova 3100 - $100 at Wal-Mart). The Durametric is Porsche specific and will not help you with your other cars. However, it is nice to have for the Porsche.

The Innova 3100 can read codes, display readiness flags and reset the CEL. I carry it in the car as it is much more convenient to use. The Durametric runs on a laptop and is much more capable - as you probably know from reading on their website.

I started with the Durametric and then bought the Innova. The Durametric had a bug in version 5 (now fixed in version 6 with 993 support recently added) which was not showing the readiness flags set on my car. I could not believe they were not set and so I bought the Innova to verify that reading. I now generally use the Innova, unless I need to get data from a sensor, or some other Porsche specific reading.

FlatSix911

What is the recommended unit for the 1995 993 with OBD1?

tonypai

I have the Durametric and it does good work. Unfortunately, it's a pain in the butt to hook up to a computer everytime the car throws a CEL.

So I bought the PLX Kiwi which plugs into the OBD2 and creates a mini network in the car. Downloaded the REV app onto the IPhone and I can clear my codes anytime.

pcarhombre

@tonypai: So the PLX is fully functional on Pcar and others? Is it software and dongle?
@deekay911: I would like to be able to see various "states and conditions" and save the info to a database of some kind so when I go crying to my independent, and can't repeat whatever I'm describing, I can show him the info so he'll know I'm not making stuff up

I have been reading about Torque on the android platform. I ordered a OBD2 Bluetooth thingie for ~$40. The software has a free version and a full version for $5. It gets really good reviews. It can monitor various temps as well as states, codes etc. Anyone here know about this?

tonypai

The PLX is only the dongle. Software is extra and up to you. I use REV, pricey but I haven't had any problems reading any codes.

If I remember correctly, the PLX wifi only works with the iphone and the PLX bluetooth only works with android. They were working to fix that but don't know if they have or not.

Andre'

I use the Innova OBDII reader on both the 993 and my wife's Odyssee - no problems.

hoggel

I have the Durametric and I don't think it is worth buying for the 993. From this post it sounds like I may need to update my SW (5.1.2) and give it another shot but recently it won't even establish communication with the 993 ECU. It has always been intermittent. I would have to restart the Durametric SW several times to get it to connect. I know it was the Durametric's failure because I have used VAGcom in OBD mode to read and clear codes with no issue. The Durametric will not code and lock the airbag CU if you need to replace that.

I did use the Durametric to diagnose the stereo failure in my wife's Boxster. The stereo went completely dead. The code as read by the Durametric said, "amplifier fail". A new amplifier ($1100) fixed the problem.

specialeed

I have an early '95 993 with the round OBD1 port. I bought an Innova 3120, and then the proper adapter for the port. I hooked it up and the unit is on, but didn't seem to be communicating with the car - said to turn on ignition (was on) - do I need to download any Porsche specific software from their site, or am I missing some step? Thx!

ToreB

What do you mean by proper 19-pin adapter? Most, if not all Porsche 19-pin adapters sold on ebay and elsewhere are incorrectly wired.
An off-the-shelf OBD reader/scanner will only at best be able to communicate with the Motronic engine management system in the 964/993. As far as I know, there's only a handful of systems that can do all the OBD-connected things in our cars. (Motronic, ABS, air bag, alarm and climate control)
*The Bosch Porsche "hammer" (KTS 301) or later Bosch Porsche tools as PST2, or PIWIS
*Freeware Rennlist Scantool Windows software (serial port adapter as my T-OBD needed)
*Durametric Windows software with a proper serial cable
*Jenniskens OBD UDT/PDT999 diagnostic tool.

I have also tried the iCarsoft Porsche i960 and the similar "Launch" product, these do not support any of the on-board computers in the 964/993, despite their compatibility list.

Cheers,
Tore

specialeed

Thank you Tore. By proper, I had just meant that it was a cable designed for a round 19 point Porsche connector, which the Innova unit did not come with. Sounds like an Innova is not the solution for the 993.