Bulvot

I asked Mr. Coreman this question but never received a response.

Can a SharkTuner be plugged into a 928 that doesn't have the SharkTuner chips and be used for any kind of diagnostics at all? I suspect that the answer is no, but I figured that it would be better to ask rather than try it and fry something.

John Speake

Yes it can but you would need to fit a pair of PEMs (they come ready programmed for S4) Then the Sharktuner box can "talk" to the ECUs in your car.

You can buy a pair of PEMs direct off Jim's website. http://siriuscyber.net/sharktuner/

Bulvot

That wasn't the question.

SeanR

Then the answer you are looking for is no. You can't.

Bulvot

Then the hammer is the only diagnostic tool that can be used on a stock 928, right?

Taguid

I use Theo J's tool but I think it only works on 87+. http://jenniskens.livedsl.nl/diag/Diag.htm

Bulvot

That's cool. I had no idea that it existed. And they claim that it can work with 1987 models without the firmware upgrade. The hammer only works with 1988 and newer, so you have to upgrade the firmware on a 1987 model to use it.

Thanks for suggesting that.

Bulvot

I was wrong about it supporting a stock 1987. I found this on their web store product page (UDT999 PC based Diagnostic Tool):

"1987 models require an eprom upgrade for the LH and EZK, 1987/1988 models need the 12p cable option"

So, it has the same limitations as the hammer with respect to model year support. Here is the upgrade on their site: 1987 928 S4 LH and EZK eprom upgrade to 1988 standard. I assume that you would need two of them, one for each computer.

It's good to have options, that's for sure.

merchauser

bulvot: I don't have my car sharktuned…..YET, only because I am waiting to finalize a few mods. when that is done, I will be immediately getting that done.

I mention this, because I think you would be best served going down that road. so many adjustable parameters to make your car perform its best, and you will be able to "see" the overall health of your engine. (providing that you have address all the usual suspects, prior) I have use of a hammer, and no question that it has been a great tool, but the ST2 seems like a must, and I can't imagine you would be dissatisfied.

Bulvot

I have a SharkTuner and chips. And I will be making changes to the configuration and tuning as I make some substantial changes (60 lb injectors, SuperMAF, turbo, etc).

The question pertained to another completely stock 1987 928 S4 that I am helping someone out with.

Speedtoys

Then why not just drop em in...you seem to already have the hardware to make your original question a "yes" answer.

Bulvot

Attention to detail. Did you not read the sentence quoted immediately above your comment?

I asked a specific question for a specific situation. I mostly got that answer (thanks, Sean). And an alternative (thanks, Tracy).

Then, typical forum fashion, I got a pile-on of unrelated advice that doesn't apply to my situation.

My car is not the one that I wanted to get diagnostic information on. The other car is not mine, doesn't have aftermarket chips, and the owner has no interest in replacing or upgrading the chips in the interest of keeping it 100% stock.

hacker-pschorr

I hardly call this thread a pile-on, especially when you didn't exactly give the full story up front so people were left to throw darts at the wall in an attempt to help. You didn't even bother to list what year 928 you were asking about. For all we knew it could have been a 78.

As for the "100% stock" comment, putting the PEMS in his brains just for the sake of diagnosing doesn't permanently change anything. Or you could plug in a different set of brains with the PEMS just for the diagnostic work. What exactly are you trying to diagnose?

What if the LH is faulty? The rebuild will make it "not 100% stock" so might want to make the owner aware of such things. IMO all LH's should be sent to Louie / John Speake for a rebuild before they fail. The fix is an upgrade, not just replacing broken parts.

Everyone is just trying to help, lighten up a bit and try explaining the full situation with model year in the OP.

Bulvot

I stated:

"
Can a SharkTuner be plugged into a 928 that doesn't have the SharkTuner chips and be used for any kind of diagnostics at all? I suspect that the answer is no, but I figured that it would be better to ask rather than try it and fry something."

That is the whole story and question. I didn't ask for advice on any other tangent.

FredR

You asked a straight forward sensible question and the answer as I am aware is "no". ST2 does not see a stock chip set for whatever reason. Whether trying would fry anything I do not know but then I would not try such.

What I can advise you or anyone else that may be interested is that the standard Porsche diagnostic kit for the 928 can still read fault diagnostics with the ST2 EEPROMS fitted or put another way, it did on my LH/EZK fitted with such.