NJ Inspection Failure - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

sd_boxster · 05-11-2011, 02:34 PM

^ What he said. If you lost power to the ECU/BCM/whatever the computer in a Boxster is referred to as, you have to complete a drive cycle before OBDII emissions readiness. Since the drive cycle varies, wait a few days...

...or buy an OBD-II scanner that will tell you if you're emissions ready. Life without a scanner sucks - the peace of mind immediately KNOWING why your check engine light just flickered on is worth the $50 or so the scanner will cost you.

nieuwhzn · 05-11-2011, 08:32 PM

Check the pins on the OBDII connector, sometimes they get pushed in and make bad contact with the connector on the cable. Had that once.
The other problem I had was with the drive cycle after disconnecting the battery for a month while being away. Both problems with a Saab, btw.

isthatacop · 05-23-2011, 05:55 AM

Thanks all for the advice...

Just an update - I own an OBDII scanner and connected it prior to inspection. The system was ready, no codes, and emissions had a "green light". After the failure, I reset it, drove for 250 miles, and it showed readiness again.

I then took it back to inspection.

They gave me the exact same read-out of "Unsupported"... I have never been so pissed. The longer I live, the more I realize government agencies are a complete waste of our tax dollars. Not one individual was able to help...
I spoke with a manager - who was the most useless piece of trash - and got nowhere. He said I have to call the hotline and request a bypass. And I also have to get a printout from Porsche in Generic Mode showing the system is fine.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Is Porsche going to charge for this??

stephen wilson · 05-23-2011, 07:03 AM

Have you tried contacting your local dealer yet?

isthatacop · 05-23-2011, 07:29 AM

This just happened Saturday. My dealership's service dept has VW/Audi/Porsche and I have a friend in the Audi service dept. He was going to run it past the service guys at Porsche to get their feedback.

I wanted to post it here as well.

My dealership may not be as friendly as yours was...!

stephen wilson · 05-23-2011, 07:49 AM

I don't know if they were being friendly, or just trying to earn my busimess! I managed a free airbag light reset at another dealer by letting them think I would come back for scheduled service.

isthatacop · 07-12-2011, 06:55 AM

Finally an update on this situation...

I was forced to take it to a private inspection facility as the state could not inspect the car. I took it to my Porsche dealership and they said there was no issue with the car. Their wording was "Car performing as designed". Unfortunately without any printout the state would not accept the statement from Porsche.

At the private facility, it took them 3 days to obtain the inspection. The state of NJ gave the mechanic issue after issue. I have to admit that the mechanic was hands down the most professional and decent I've ever met. Finally, the state rpovided an "exception" and passed the car.

This is some nonsense as the car did not require any "exception". I hope others don't experience the same thing. If they do not correct their software we should be up in arms over the hassle of the EPA (Environmental Public ****************************s). Not only did I waste 2 days to go to the inpection station, I spent another day at Porsche, and waited 3 days for the state. Completely uncalled for.