Check Engine OBD codes & P.System Tester 2

[GreggT]

Can someone explain to me the the dif between regular OBD codes and actual Porsche codes?........and how is it that a shop that has a Porsche Systems Tester2 might only be reading OBD codes?.....(like I do on my $100 tester).

Was it that there's a software subscription from Porsche or something in order for a shop to continue having that info, or am I rcalling incorrectly?........TIA

[Loren]

All P0xxx codes are standardized. However, each manufacturer may use additional codes which go beyond the standardized ones. This is the case if the manufacturer has integrated additional functions in the ECM beyond those required by law, and these can also be diagnosed.

These codes are referred to as P1xxx codes, e.g. "P1100".

The first character (letter) of a code identifies the system which has input the code. A total of four system types are covered: B for body; C for drive train; P for drive; U for future systems. The OBD II only requires the P code.

Any PST2 regardless of sofware version can read, report, and reset P codes, drive train, body codes, and U codes. This includes things like airbag lights, ABS faults, and alarm codes that a generic OBD II scan can not.

A yearly PST2 software upgrade licence use to run about $2500 per year. Since the PST2 has been replaced by the PIWIS tester I think the software updates are now done online (rather than CD as the PST2 was).

[GreggT]

Any PST2 regardless of sofware version can read, report, and reset P codes, drive train, body codes, and U codes. This includes things like airbag lights, ABS faults, and alarm codes that a generic OBD II scan can not.

A yearly PST2 software upgrade licence use to run about $2500 per year. Since the PST2 has been replaced by the PIWIS tester I think the software updates are now done online (rather than CD as the PST2 was).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the reply Loren.

By 'P codes' above........do you mean P0xxx codes ......or P1xxx codes?

I believe my $100 unit can read & reset pretty much all reg POxxx codes.

And I've found that the description for what ea indicates is fairly easy to find online.........(example PO155, O2 sensor heater upstream of (ahead of) bank 2 cat.

But I was curious as to why the shop told me that the fault codes displayed on their PST2 were P codes only - no Porsche codes.........and they had contacted their service software people to try to obtain Porsche codes...and then gave me info based on crossing over exact descriptions from ODB2 to matching Porsche fault code discriptions.

[Loren]

Yes, P code is P code these are universal (to some degree) for all OBD II cars.

Porsche fault codes for OBD II P codes are listed in a matrix here. We also have listing for most OBD II P codes here.

As I recall I think the PST2 can display either. Perhaps they need to go back to Porsche training school... ;)

[Richard Hamilton]

The PST2 displays the Porsche fault codes in the fault memory. When you open the individual fault code in the program it displays the OBDII code and a lot of other detail - number of occurrences, check procedure, etc.

Edited June 22, 2005 by Richard Hamilton

[GreggT]

Golly this is confusing.

Loren, I printed and tried to understand those charts a couple weeks ago.

The second link in your post is to the menue page with links to 3 DME versions and a link to a Tip code chart. The 1st link in your post is just to one of the DME versions of the 2nd (5.2 DME code sheet early 986 & 996).

Even if some of the codes are common to my car (MY01 Turbo, DME 7.8 not listed).....I still do not understand the chart.........The chart appears to have PI codes and PO codes intermixed......... and what is the "Fault" column?

None of the PO codes I have experienced (PO155, PO175, PO172) appear to be listed.

[Loren]

Generically they mean:

P0155 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

P0175 System too Rich (Bank 2)

P0172 System too Rich (Bank 1)

Bank 2 (cyl 4-6) Sensor 1 (before the cat) and P0155 says that the O2 sensor is not heating. Unless the wiring harness has been damaged or the connection is corroded it is likely that you need a new O2 sensor.

[GreggT]

Loren.........thanks for the idea on the harness or the connection. We replaced the Bank 2 sensor a couple weeks back after the PO155........after a couple weeks I got PO175 and PO155 and PO172 (supposedly in order of priority).

Now I just get PO175 and PO172............and it seems, more often than not, to be tripped when I pull up to idle at a stop sign.

We'll take a look at that wire and connection...........thanks.

[Loren]

Okay I have a DME 7.8 listing now. :D

Give me a few days to get it online here.

P0172 - Oxygen Sensing Adaptation, Idle Range, Bank 1 – Below Limit.

P0175 - Oxygen Sensing Adaptation, Idle Range, Bank 2 – Below Limit.

[GreggT]

Excellent.

Thanks Loren.

I'll check back and look for it.

[adam699]

Hey GreggT,

Have you ever solved your problem? I'm having the same issue and codes.