Urgent!! My Boxster Failed Emmisions in MO
 

Can anyone shed light on this matter, I have a 2001 Boxster S, I had it flashed by a company called Powerchip Inc. in CA. I had taken it to get an emissions test and the OBD failed the readiness test, which I have no idea what that means. Was it a result of the Flash upgrade, is there a certain time set for a drive cycle? Please Help

I think you are right. When these whiz kids flashed your ECM, it looks like they took out/disabled some functions the emissions computer is looking for.

Sounds like a new ECM is in your future. Your Porsche dealer can provide more info. and advise if I am off base here.

Good luck. :)

your catalyst, and evap system are not ready, did the car have a check engine lamp on recently, if so the vehicle just needs to be driven to reset the readiness codes, in NY you are allowed to pass if one of the systems are not o.k and the check engine lamp is not illuminated.

Hi,

This is often an issue when chipping or flashing an ECU. The OEM software is often a compromise between Performance, Reliability and Emissions where the software is not optimized for any of these parameters. Consequently, some performance is usually left on the table to help meet the other requirements.

This is where the Aftermarket guys come in. They will often overide Emissions and/or Reliability Fail-Safes in deference to the customer's desired Performance gains. In many cases, this results in a one size fits all software which does not take into account varying Emissions standards.

The best ones can usually preserve the Emissions coding, but they also usually publish lower gains.

As mentioned, first contact the vendor to see what can be done. If no-joy, you may need to either restore the OEM coding, or find another vendor with better software that will get you a passing grade.

FYI, here's what Porsche has to say about the readiness test (note, this is for Bosch ME 7.2):

• Readiness Code
  
  The readiness code indicates that the required Fault checks were performed by the OBD system. It is not important whether a Fault was found. The readiness code is cancelled if the Fault Memory is erased, or the Power Supply (terminal 30) is cut off with a code stored. To initiate the readiness code, at least 2 trips have to be completed.
  
  For the following systems, the readiness code is shown:
  
  - Three Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) converting
  
  - Fuel tank ventilation system
  
  - Secondary Air Injection System
  
  - Oxygen Sensor
  
  - Oxygen Sensor Heating

Porsche defines a Trip as:

• Trip
  
  A Trip is a Driving Cycle after a rest period that enabled the Diagnostic System to monitor all components and systems at least once. In the event of a Fault, it may not be possible to perform all diagnostic routines under certain circumstances. For this reason, a replacement trip is recognized after an operating period of 1150 sec. (19 min. 17 sec.). In other words, a Driving Cycle is recognized as a Trip after this time, even if not all diagnostic routines were performed.

Further definitions of Warm-up Cycle:

• Warm Up Cycle
  
  The Warm Up cycle is the time the Engine requires to reach Operating Temperature. To fulfill the Warm Up cycle condition, the Engine Temperature on start up must not exceed a specified value (eg. 30°C - 86°F). The Engine operating phase has to be long enough to reach a specified temperature (eg. 70°C - 158°F). The Warm Up cycle is needed to count down or reduce the Erase Counter in the case of Faults which have been recognized as corrected.

Still further:

• Driving Cycle
  
  A Driving cyle consists of starting the Engine, running the Engine or driving until Oxygen Sensing becomes active, and then stopping the Engine. Since the system cannot know when the Engine will be stopped, the diagnostic routines are started as soon as Oxygen Sensing is activated.

Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Thanks for the advice, Jim, when you define a trip, you say the car has to running 19mins and 17 sec for the diagnostics to kick in, is that what you meant?

Wasn't there a rep. for Powerchip on this board at one point?

Hi,

Not what I say, it's what Porsche says. But it is possible that the Flash overode this requirement, I wouldn't think so, but I have no way to know...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

KNow anyone with the same year/model Boxster nearby? Perhaps you can borrow their DME for the purpose of the test...

Hi,

The DMEs are coded to each car, and IIRC, can only be coded once, though I may have that wrong, I could be confusing it with the Alarm Module. Good idea though...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99