ODB2 not showing airbag code

[SoCalTurbo]

so, i did the whole 'take out the driver's seat while battery is still connected thing, and as such have an airbag sensor going off. instead of going to the dealer with this precious beast of a car, i decided to get the mac-daddy ODB2 reader/clearer/explainer/coffee maker...basically the guy at the auto parts place picked-up the cheapest and the most expensive and asked which one i wanted...and i didn't want to seem cheap. plus, i figured for sure this thing would do whatever i needed it to do now and down the road, with all of my cars.

i'm following the instructions, do everything right, and go to read the codes. airbag doesn't show-up on the reader. i try to erase all codes anyway (there are none showing), and, of course, the airbag warning goes off without fail.

i log onto the porsche website with limited time, trying to figure out what went wrong and i got the sense that it's not an ODB2 reader that i need to clear the codes, is that correct? the store won't take the reader back (maybe i can modify it to actually make a mean cup of coffee), and i'm actually hoping that it will eventually end-up doing the job after all...that's why i'm here!

anyone have any ideas? is it a setting with the ODB2 reader? i haven't gone through all of the different features and ways of reading/clearing codes, just the most basic and common. here's the procedure: connect reader, insert key, turn on car for 10 seconds, turn car off, read codes...

stumped.

[Loren]

i got the sense that it's not an ODB2 reader that i need to clear the codes, is that correct?

Correct.

The only tools that I am aware of that can clear airbag (and other non-DME) codes is the Durametric Software (about $250), a used PST2 (about $3600 on eBay), or a PIWIS tester (about $18,000 per year from your dealer).

Where are you located?

[SoCalTurbo]

i am in the LA area. looks like going to the dealer is my only real option =\

would a PST2 come in handy for lots of things, or is it something that would rarely be used? i'm planning on a 1997 Turbo and have ordered a 997 Turbo already...so, I'm planning on working on Porsches a lot. if it would be a worthwhile investment, i'd do it. although, i don't really have the room right now...ugh...dealer?

[Loren]

There are lots of independent shops in the LA area that have a PST2 or you could buy the Durametric software - it will work on the 993 also.

[SoCalTurbo]

but, is it Mac compatible, or will i need a windows machine? i guess i could get a used laptop for about $500, which isn't too bad. what else is the software good for, Loren? i'm in the hills above beverly hills (between beverly hills and sherman oaks), so i could go to the valley or to the city. where would i get the software?

thanks for your help. also, what cables would i need to connect to the car?

[Loren]

All those questions are answered on their site Durametric.com.

[SoCalTurbo]

thanks, loren. i think i'm going to grab that software and just install windows on one of my new apple laptops with intel inside.

[SoCalTurbo]

i took the plunge, loren, and my software/hardware should be here tomorrow (it's enroute as i type). i decided that the best course of action would be to take one of my new mac laptops with the dual-core pentiums and run multiple OS's using parallel. i'm just sitting down with a 'still in the wrapper' copy of windows pro and it feels like a bicycle. having been a windows guy for a decade before switching, it feels oddly comfortable putting a win os on my computer again.

anyway, i wanted to thank you for the advise. i decided that, since i plan on owning several porsches in my life, the small investment end-up saving me thousands...especially when buying used porsches and wanting to know what the 'real' miles are, as opposed to the miles on the gauge cluster that some guy bought at the junkyard for $600 and knocked 50k miles off of the odometer...gotta get into the brains of the car and get the truth ;)

thanks again for always being here to help. i don't know of another car company that has such a fantastic base of owners and enthusiasts. it feels more like a scattered family.

best,

nathan

:renntech:

[skymast]

I was thinking about buying the software and would love to know what you think of it. Also, I am looking at a used TT with lower miles. I thought all of the mileage was stored in the cluster. Can this software actually detect a cluster change? Thx, Mark

[SoCalTurbo]

nah, the clusters are changed out all of the time to trick unsuspecting buyers into thinking a car has lower miles than it does. i learned this when someone was trying to sell me gauges and used that as the pitch; "hey, i've got one that's only 8k on it, buddy"...and, yes, this software can read the actual miles off of the car's computer, as well as over-revs and a bunch of cool stuff. i bought windows xp, installed it on my mac, bought the hardware/software, installed it and it worked beautifully! cleared my airbag code and the world was at peace once again!

[Loren]

:thumbup:

[wross996TT]

SoCal...glad to hear it worked...I'm also a Mac guy and was hoping someone would test the durametric software on the new mac. Thanks for being the guniea pig (although I was guessing it would work...because it is a mac...only problem is it has windows.)

[SoCalTurbo]

lol...i hear you on the 'it's got windows' tip. i see you're in boulder...i used to be a dj on kbco, when ginger was at the peak...i did the 10-3 midday show for a few years.

the durametric software works, but it's a bit tricky figuring out how to get the hardware to be recognized if you don't read any instructions (like myself). if you happen to do it, and need any assistance, feel free to message me.