| 
        | 
 
 
	
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-25-2014, 04:56 PM | #1 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Seattle 
					Posts: 274
				      | 
				
				Code clearing question
			 
 
			Is 'Durametric' the only way to clear *all* Porsche codes?  
 Is there anything else (like something I can run down the street and buy at AutoZone) that will clear everything?
 
				__________________Current: 981 Cayman
 Former: '02 BS and '08 C
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-25-2014, 05:16 PM | #2 |  
	| I am my own mechanic.... 
				 
				Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Salt Lake City, UT 
					Posts: 3,432
				      | 
			As in CEL? An OBDII reader reads CEL codes but not deeper codes like over rev. Those will reset the CEL.
		 
				__________________'04 Boxster S 50 Jahre 550 Spyder Anniversary Special Edition, 851 of 1953, 6-sp, IMS/RMS, GT Metallic silver, cocoa brown leather SOLD to member Broken Linkage.
 '08 VW Touareg T-3 wife's car
 '13 F150 Super Crew long bed 4x4 w/ Ego Boost
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-25-2014, 06:33 PM | #3 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Seattle 
					Posts: 274
				      | 
			Well....Airbag would be an example.
		 
				__________________Current: 981 Cayman
 Former: '02 BS and '08 C
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-27-2014, 03:40 PM | #4 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greensboro, NC 
					Posts: 141
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by Tucker2  Well....Airbag would be an example. |  
There are cheap Chinese Durametric knock-offs that will read and reset engine and airbag codes.  I bought mine for $30.
		 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-27-2014, 09:41 PM | #5 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Seattle 
					Posts: 274
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by stjoh  There are cheap Chinese Durametric knock-offs that will read and reset engine and airbag codes.  I bought mine for $30. |  
I'm all ears.  Any links?
		 
				__________________Current: 981 Cayman
 Former: '02 BS and '08 C
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-25-2014, 10:31 PM | #6 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: May 2011 Location: Johnstown, PA 
					Posts: 195
				      | 
			Airbag, no.  only other option is a trip to the dealer.
		 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-26-2014, 02:48 PM | #7 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Seattle 
					Posts: 274
				      | 
			Rats.  Thanks.
		 
				__________________Current: 981 Cayman
 Former: '02 BS and '08 C
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-27-2014, 12:10 PM | #8 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: May 2014 Location: Lake St. Louis, MO 
					Posts: 92
				      | 
			Will the Durametric clear airbag codes?  A byproduct of my valve spring replacement was me starting the car with the passenger seat removed.  Doh.  Airbag light is now on... local indy's "computer" is broke at the moment.  I'm looking for an alternative to a trip to the dealer.
		 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-27-2014, 02:04 PM | #9 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: It's a kind of magic..... 
					Posts: 6,649
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by aneal000  Will the Durametric clear airbag codes?  A byproduct of my valve spring replacement was me starting the car with the passenger seat removed.  Doh.  Airbag light is now on... local indy's "computer" is broke at the moment.  I'm looking for an alternative to a trip to the dealer. |  
Yes.................
		 
				__________________“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth.  Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.”  - Albert Einstein
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-27-2014, 02:18 PM | #10 |  
	| On the slippery slope 
				 
				Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Austin and Palm Springs 
					Posts: 3,799
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by aneal000  Will the Durametric clear airbag codes?  A byproduct of my valve spring replacement was me starting the car with the passenger seat removed.  Doh.  Airbag light is now on... local indy's "computer" is broke at the moment.  I'm looking for an alternative to a trip to the dealer. |  
Yes, the Durametric will clear the airbag code. They have 2 versions, enthusiast and pro. Either one will work.
Diagnostic Tool for Porsche | Durametric 
Stay away from the ebay/amazon clones for around $20-50, word is they can cause problems with the ECU (don't know firsthand)
		 
				__________________2004 Boxster S 6 speed  - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
 2004 996 Targa Tip
 Instructor - San Diego region
 2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
 2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-27-2014, 03:17 PM | #11 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: May 2014 Location: Lake St. Louis, MO 
					Posts: 92
				      | 
			Ah, nice... $287 mistake.  I wonder what the dealer would charge to reset?
 What else would I actually use the Durametric for?  I mean, unless there is a problem?  And my OBD2 reader takes care of non Porsche specific codes...
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-27-2014, 03:36 PM | #12 |  
	| On the slippery slope 
				 
				Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Austin and Palm Springs 
					Posts: 3,799
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by aneal000  Ah, nice... $287 mistake.  I wonder what the dealer would charge to reset?
 What else would I actually use the Durametric for?  I mean, unless there is a problem?  And my OBD2 reader takes care of non Porsche specific codes...
 |  
You can get lots of real time info, reset the service indicator, and more 
not to be an ass, the website gives you a bunch of info on what it can do
 
Since you are VERY handy with a wrench, probably makes sense  to get one
 
Besides the dealer would probably charge you an hour to do the reset and if you DIY stuff, its likely you will have other resets to do
		 
				__________________2004 Boxster S 6 speed  - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
 2004 996 Targa Tip
 Instructor - San Diego region
 2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
 2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-27-2014, 07:49 PM | #13 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: May 2014 Location: Lake St. Louis, MO 
					Posts: 92
				      | 
			I didn't take that as being an ass. I did read the website. I saw what it comes with and what you can do with it. I just don't see myself using it if the car is running well. I was hoping someone would spell out something I missed that would make me go, ah, I never thought of that... Yes, I need one!
		 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-28-2014, 05:25 AM | #14 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: May 2014 Location: Lake St. Louis, MO 
					Posts: 92
				      | 
			I just found this one...Piwis Cable for Porsche 
$51.99 with free shipping.  All I need is the airbag code reset at this point.  Tempting.  2-3 week delivery is making this less appealing.
		 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-28-2014, 06:01 AM | #15 |  
	| On the slippery slope 
				 
				Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Austin and Palm Springs 
					Posts: 3,799
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by aneal000  I just found this one...Piwis Cable for Porsche 
$51.99 with free shipping.  All I need is the airbag code reset at this point.  Tempting.  2-3 week delivery is making this less appealing. |  
There are lots of those on amazon and eBay. I was tempted as well, but after reading posts abou them saying they could damage the ECU, I was wary. Also they dont work on the latest version of software and probably never will. I found a real one being sold privately that had 2 vins left for $175. Even at $290, I fiigured it was worth the extra cost for the latest version, free software updates and piece of mind that it would not damage my car
		 
				__________________2004 Boxster S 6 speed  - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
 2004 996 Targa Tip
 Instructor - San Diego region
 2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
 2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-28-2014, 05:30 AM | #16 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: May 2014 Location: Lake St. Louis, MO 
					Posts: 92
				      | 
			A local indy (one that I have never used before) just quoted me $100-135 to reset my airbag light.  Said it would be charged just like a diagnostic check and figure 45 minutes to an hour.
 Sadly that is a 5 minute job.
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-28-2014, 06:47 AM | #17 |  
	| Multi-Boxer Driver 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange Park, FL 
					Posts: 1,430
				      | 
			I'd avoid the knockoff Durametric tools as it essentially takes away from the work they do. Do I wish Durametric wasn't tied to 3 VINs (enthusiast version) and had more functionality like the Ross-Tech VCDS tool (for Volkswagen/Audi)? You bet. However, my Durametric has already paid for itself in data analysis and code clearing.
 A basic OBD2 scanner can only handle the MIL/CEL, and related emissions codes. Durametric can also check the other systems in the car as well, including the testing functions and output data. I can say I'm happy with mine.
 
				__________________ 
				-Chris 
2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 (gone   ) 
2004 Porsche 911 C4S Cab 
1991 Porsche 911 C2 Targa 3.6 
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
			 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  05-28-2014, 06:34 AM | #19 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Winnipeg MB 
					Posts: 2,485
				      | 
			Hopefully that won't turn out to be the most expensive money you've ever saved. Remember, the ECU runs on smoke - if you let the smoke out it won't work anymore.
 The Durametric only costs about $100 in the long run because you can sell it when you're done with two VIN's left on it for about $200. It doesn't make sense to me to buy a risky clone running outdated software for the sake of saving about $50. Especially given the time and money you have already spent repairing your car.
 
 I had one of those clone cables and it was a piece of crap. I bought it thinking it was a real one, and I have since replaced it with a real one.
 
				__________________'99 black 986
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
		|  06-23-2014, 12:52 PM | #20 |  
	| Registered User 
				 
				Join Date: May 2011 Location: Miami florida 
					Posts: 1,591
				      | 
			
	Quote: 
	
		| 
					Originally Posted by Mark_T  Hopefully that won't turn out to be the most expensive money you've ever saved. Remember, the ECU runs on smoke - if you let the smoke out it won't work anymore.
 The Durametric only costs about $100 in the long run because you can sell it when you're done with two VIN's left on it for about $200. It doesn't make sense to me to buy a risky clone running outdated software for the sake of saving about $50. Especially given the time and money you have already spent repairing your car.
 
 I had one of those clone cables and it was a piece of crap. I bought it thinking it was a real one, and I have since replaced it with a real one.
 |  
Not to worry if you let the smoke out of the ECU.  Lucas makes a smoke replacement kit, and while its designed for British cars, I've read it works on German cars also.
Lucas Replacement Smoke Kit 
				__________________Current car
 
 2000 Boxster 2.7l  red/black
 
 Previous cars
 
 1973 Opel Manta
 1969(?) Fiat 850 Convertible
 1979 Lancia Beta Coupe
 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV 6
 1985 Alfa Romeo Graduate
 1985 Porsche 944
 1989 Porsche 944
 1981 Triumph TR7
 1989 (?) Alfa Romeo Milano
 1993 Saab 9000
 |  
	|   |   |  
	
		
	
	
	
	
	| 
	|  Posting Rules |  
	| 
		
		You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts 
 HTML code is On 
 |  |  |  All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:56 AM. 
	
	
		
	
	
 |  |