Diagnostic Access Failure

[bobmacd44]

I purchased 1999 996 C2 on ebay and shipped 2000 miles to California. Car has 54k miles and 11k miles on factory reconditioned motor. First found problem when took for California smog check and failed test because they could not access on board computer. Technician said he had never seen problem before. I then tried Durametric diagnostic tool and it said that cable was not connected. The cable was connected to car and computer and green socket LED came on when ignition switch was turned. I tried wiggling the connector but that did not help. Durametric screen was stuck at the choose model screen and would not take input of model. Prior owner had installed KN airfilter and had check engine light with fault codes discussed on forum. He reinstalled original airfilter and said it solved problem and had no check engine light for 200 miles. Car runs very well but does idle a little rough. All diagnostic lights come on when engine turned on and go off soon as on my prior 2001 C4. Any suggestions what to look for? Should I try disconnecting battery and resetting on board computer? Does diagnostic socket go bad? Could prior owner have tampered with socket or onboard computer to hide faults? Could smog computer have blown something? Anyone ever had problem getting Durametric to get readings?

Edited September 26, 2009 by bobmacd44

[wvicary]

I have seen the diagnostic pins get damaged or even pushed out of the plastic housing. How this happens is beyond me so I would inspect the OBDII socket first. Are all fuses ok?

[bobmacd44]

I have seen the diagnostic pins get damaged or even pushed out of the plastic housing. How this happens is beyond me so I would inspect the OBDII socket first. Are all fuses ok?

Thanks. I looked at fuse list and did not see obious one where paired other functions were impaired. Any idea which fuse handles computer.

[Loren]

If the car runs then the fuse is not blown.

I suggest you try another tester (like a PST2 or PIWIS tester).

[bobmacd44]

If the car runs then the fuse is not blown.

I suggest you try another tester (like a PST2 or PIWIS tester).

Thanks Loren, you gave me hope to look harder. I read online instructions for Durametric and saw that after market radio could cause problem and recommendation to turn off antivirus software and other programs. Durametric worked and I got P1602 fault code which I found in forum is just indication that battery was disconnected. I cleared code and will now retry smog test. My guess is that radio interferred with smog tester. He probably tried to reset computer by disconnecting battery. Hope this solves problem.