rx7turbo

My '06 Cayman S keeps lighting up the "check engine" light. Twice I have taken it to the dealers and they find nothing.

The are about 100 miles away, the nearest is about 70 miles away in Jax and the nearest private shop is about 50 miles away.

Over the last 2 weeks, it has come and then gone off after a day or so.

I would like to be able to read the code while the light is on instead of driving all the way to any of those shops.

A local Advanced Auto has an Actron Auto Scanner and they say all cars have to have the same connector since about 98 or something like that.

So, is that any good and would it be able to decipher the Porsche codes or can anyone name me a decent one, online or local chain is fine.

This one is $220.

Spokayman

I purchased an OBD code reader (Centech brand, I believe) at the local Harbor Freight store (Harbor Fright?) for less than $100. I've used it a couple of times to narrow down a throttle body/idle problem on my 996, but I've never had it hooked up to the Cayman.

I don't know much about one brand vs another, but you can search on the Forums for several threads on this topic to find opinions about specific OBD reader models.
Some readers can do more than others. Some can reset check engine lights, some cannot, etc.

Beginning with the 993 Porsche models all the way up till present day will use the same OBD port.

rx7turbo

I searched for the topic and could not find it.

Advance Auto has several that will reset the "check engine" lights but the Actron Elite seems to be the most promising with an onboard database of codes and what they mean, etc.

I will see if I get any responses about about 0930 EDT later today and go from there.

Thanks for the reply.

ETA: Where is the port on the Cayman S, 2006 version?

Spokayman

Here is one thread I just found. I have not read all thru it though.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ii-reader.html

The OBD port is almost always on the drivers side under the dash (inside the car).

DaveCarrera4

Search under Durametric. You'll be swamped with threads. I have a $5 OBD II Bluetooth sender and about 5 free aps on my android phone that give a bunch of live info on engine signals. One really good ap is Torque, but it costs a few bucks. Good luck tracking down the problem.

rx7turbo

Great thread. Not only did I find that the Durametric limits the number of cars you can do:

but I also found that many like the Actron that I am looking at.

I also may have discovered why I am getting the CEL, because I double tap the gas all the time:

That may be what I am getting.

Cman21

The Durametric tool comes in two models the enthusiast model limits you to three cars it lets you clear codes and service reminders and some coding The pro model is unlimited number of cars and allows many coding options. I actually have two of the enthusiast versions
Check there website for more details before you buy something else.

Cman21

DaveCarrera4

I used a Durametric pro yesterday. Some of it was intuitive most of the interesting stuff not so much. My gas tank was low, so when I reset the alarms it took it to zero empty, zero mile left to refill, which had me worried. There was some gas in the car as the warning light had just come on. I filled the car and now it reads 3/4 full. I'm hoping the gas nozzle shut off early!