Cen-Tech Code Reader 94217

[td873]

I have a CAT that seems to be having issues (or maybe the O2 sensor). It trips a CEL once in a while - maybe once a month or two or three. Anyway, after a few trips, it resets and the CEL goes off - until the next time. But I don't want to miss an important (or just another) CEL in the meantime, and the car will be in the shop to fix the offending part soon enough anyway.

So I decided to get a code reader to check the code when it happened, so I don't have to run to the dealer every time. If it's the same code as always, I want to reset it.

So, I got a Cen-Tech 94217 Code Reader at Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94217). This appears to be a rebadged Autel Geniscan GS400 (http://www.auteltech.com/gs400.htm). Everything is the same, right down to the manual.

Now the kicker, it accesses the car, reads the codes and displays them. I had a P0420 code.

BUT, when I try to erase the code, I get an "Erase Failure!" message.

I'm guessing that this is the reader, and not a Porsche specific issue.

Any thoughts?

-td

MY00 C2 Coupe

Appears to be DME 7.2

Edited June 20, 2008 by td873

[Loren]

You need to make sure you don't have any other fault codes. If you got an aging sensor fault code also then it could be a bad sensor not the cat. If there really are no codes then you may have a bad cat.