Diagnosing faults and how to clear them

[mcmike27]

First I would like to thank everyone who has answered my post questions over the past 2 weeks. I now have the confidence and 'backups' here to dive right in and do the basic service required on our 98 986 without having to pay an arm and a leg to the local dealer. That being said I would now like to tackle the task of being able to read faults, diagnosing them and clearing them if after the repair it's necessary. So my question is where do I being? What diagnostic tool is best for a start? Once the fault is read and repaired how do you clear them? ( I have read that disconnecting the battery and allowing the system to clear will take care of most issues) I would like to be able to clear them with the diag tool without having to every time unhook the battery.

NEED some guidance in getting started here and where can I purchase these items.

As always THANKS in ADVANCE.

P.S. I will be doing the basics tonight. Oil, Oil Filter, Air Filter, Cabin Filter wish me luck.

Also I use ramps for my other vehicles and do not have issues and am going to use them on the 986. I have seen others using the jack and jack stand method. Question where is the alternate jack position on the Boxster? All I can locate is the original jack point and I dont want to damage the undercarrige if I have to use the jack,jackstand option. Please assist.

[mikefocke]

First step: Obtain a method of reading any codes that pop up. Can be an OBDII code reader (Actron is a common brand) or Durametric s/w for a PC laptop or even a much much more expensive Porsche supplied diagnostic computer (PWIS, PST2) if you can find one...in increasing order of cost and capability.

Second step: Obtain a list of codes that could be "thrown" by your specific model year DME (engine control computer). See the documents section of Renntech here.

Third step: Obtain the manual for the DME. Start reading to acquaint yourself with what is presented and how it is organized.

Forth step: Obtain some workshop manuals appropriate to your car.

Fifth step: Buy tools only as needed for a specific repair.

Start doing simple things like oil changes so you get unafraid of the car...it is only a car...no more complex than any other modern car. Read here. Search here and other online Porsche forums for specific problems and read the advice from others who have done that repair before you.

A good place to start reading is http://mike.focke.googlepages.com/mikespor...boxsterwebpages

[Loren]

Diagnostics, Tips and Tools Forum

[pk2]

See mom was right, politeness will get you everywhere,

For Jackng there are hard spot's all over the place. basically, any hard spot is fair game, that is, anypoint where the weight of the car is transferred to the wheels. Aside ftom that it just kind of comes with experience. Got to think i through. A pad of some sort, is helpful in these unofficial spots from screwing thing up, I just use a block of 2x4.

I use up to 2 floor jacks and 4 jack stands and, depending on how precarious it is, wedge a wheel and tire underneath some where if your nervous (especially isf you have a curious prescooler around or live in earthquake country or both). When you jack it up , get your jack stands in place lower the jack slowly onto the stands till you have evenish pressure on jack and stands. If the jack isn't in your way, leave it with some there with pressure on it...may give it a 1/2 pump for good measure till it's snug.

I use a 2nd little 35 buck Orielky/kragen/et' al, 2500lbs floor jack firstly to get the car off the ground high enough to fit my big jack under it and, then later to fudge things around (like a dangling swing arm or to reposition a stand etc..

Regards PK

I think it only had one wheel on the ground

[mcmike27]

Loren, thanks this will get me started our local Advanced Auto store has the replacement Actron unit for the discontiuned CP9135 it's now a CP9175 so I'll purchase this and keep reading.

Thks again

m2

[mcmike27]

Mike, thanks for the link, I read the articles and possibly found a dead link for the Get a parts list (called the "PET") by going to https://techinfo.porsche.com/ it does not come up :( have I done something wrong? Please advise.

Tks

m2

[Loren]

Mike, thanks for the link, I read the articles and possibly found a dead link for the Get a parts list (called the "PET") by going to https://techinfo.porsche.com/ it does not come up :( have I done something wrong? Please advise.

Tks

m2

There site has been broken for a few days.

I sent them a message...