Reading OBD codes

[geoff]

I saw this on the PCA site regarding 993s and thought it was pretty cool. Unfortunately it didn't work on my 2001 Boxster. Is there anything similar for a 986 to have the OBD codes displayed?

...Now, in the meantime, you can read the codes yourself if you are patient. With the engine off, but the ignition key on, hold the gas pedal down to the floor for 3 seconds, til the Check Engine Light flashes, then release it.

You should see one long flash, a pause, then a short flash, then a pause, then some number of flashes, a pause, it may repeat for additional digits, or not, when it is done.

If you see a long flash, a pause, one short flash, a pause, then five short ones, that is code 15, which means, no fault codes are stored.

Or you might see a long flash (meaning that a code follows), one short and a pause (number 1), another short one and a pause (next digit is 1), two short ones, then four short ones, that would be P1124, Oxygen sensor adaptation range problem.

Leading zeros are omitted in this scheme.

We can't cl ear codes this way, but at least we can read them without being forced in to the dealer...

[JFP in PA]

I saw this on the PCA site regarding 993s and thought it was pretty cool. Unfortunately it didn't work on my 2001 Boxster. Is there anything similar for a 986 to have the OBD codes displayed?

...Now, in the meantime, you can read the codes yourself if you are patient. With the engine off, but the ignition key on, hold the gas pedal down to the floor for 3 seconds, til the Check Engine Light flashes, then release it.

You should see one long flash, a pause, then a short flash, then a pause, then some number of flashes, a pause, it may repeat for additional digits, or not, when it is done.

If you see a long flash, a pause, one short flash, a pause, then five short ones, that is code 15, which means, no fault codes are stored.

Or you might see a long flash (meaning that a code follows), one short and a pause (number 1), another short one and a pause (next digit is 1), two short ones, then four short ones, that would be P1124, Oxygen sensor adaptation range problem.

Leading zeros are omitted in this scheme.

We can't cl ear codes this way, but at least we can read them without being forced in to the dealer...

Time to break down and buy an OBD II scanner..........you can get a basic unit that will display and clear codes for about $60..........................

[70Sixter]

Time to break down and buy an OBD II scanner..........you can get a basic unit that will display and clear codes for about $60..........................

Go to the Reviews section of Forums. There are several units reviewed or listed.