With all this talk about SAI problems and CEL lights, I would like to know which model year was the first 911 to use OBD II. I know that U S regs required it for '97 model cars, but does the '95 993 model support a OBD II tool? IF so, are there generic codes for the 911? Is there a list that breaks down what the codes mean? I'm looking into buying a '95 993 and if possible, I would like to review the codes before sending the car in for a PPI. The car will get a PPI regardless, but for me if the codes do come up and costs will be high, it's time to move on.

Thanks!

 

'95 OBD I
'96 and later OBD II

 

1996, also the first year for Varioram, with 12 added HP, from 270 to 282 HP ! In the 1996 cars, I believe you could still start them without depressing the clutch...clutch must be in for the 1997 model.

 

OBD II was mandated as from '96 model year vehicles.

'95 cars are OBD I which, by the way is NOT a "standard" hence the government mandate of OBD II becoming a standard for all cars produced from that date on.

As I'm sure you've researched, the '95 cars may well suffer from blocked SAI ports, but don't throw a CEL light, as they don't have such stringent "checking" of the emissions system to see it as a problem.

As far as I know the '95 cars can only be checked by the Bosch "Hammer" (the Porsche test tool). Not sure if a generic OBDII tester will work (and the OBD "K" line is broken into two pins on the '95 cars anyway - so you need two cables to check all systems with the Hammer anyway!)

There's another rub too, the 95 models (in the US) can have two different OBD ports. One (the older) has the honking great big round 19 pin type in the passenger footwell, the other (later) has the OBDII type in the drivers side footwell.

Mine is a late model (OBDII type connector) and that's the cable type for the Hammer I have.

I'm sure others will say if their OBDII scan tools work on OBDI cars.

Clive.

 

Interesting tidbit about depressing the clutch.

 

Yes - in 1996 you don't have to depress the clutch to start the car. What's cool about that is that it provides the true functionality to the design of having the key on the left near the driver's door. When autocrossing, I leave the windows down, and can start and stop the car without needing to actually get in.

 

I'm under the impression that the "functionality" of the left-hand key insert was to allow racers to shave a second or so, back when they used to run to their cars at the start of a race -- by letting them insert the key with their left hand while putting the car in gear with their right at the same time.

 

A minor point but...
all ROW 993 are OBD1

 

The key on the left also lets someone outside the car start the car while a new driver harnesses up. I believe this was the original purpose during 24 hour races like LeMans.

 

i believe OBDI has only one oxygen sensor when OBDII cars have 4 oxygen sensors allowing the computer to sense imbalance from different sides of the engine which in turn illuminates engine light. It also costs 4x more when you need 4 oxygen sensors

cooz 95 C2

 

REALLY?????

 

Yes, that is correct. But in 96, it takes now an extra 3 seconds to activate/deactivate the alarm and a few turns of the key until you get the inmobilizer deactivated to start the car. What were they thinking?

 

Let's be candid here, there is some pretty interesting stuff on this string. And no talk about colors, or rims, or stereos...good going guys and gals.

Not to say that colors, or rims, or stereos is not interesting to some, just not to me. We all have our little areas of interests.

In the immortal words of Chris Walrod, Rennlister extraordinaire, "Is this a great place or what?"

 

I understand it to be for Lemans-type starts. Drivers would run across the track to their cars, get it, start 'em up an GOOOOO. Key on the left for the left hand, gearshift on the right for the right hand... And in about two laps, the drivers would buckle-up Absolutely love watching these starts..

 

Umm, not sure I agree. All 993tt's (ROW included) are OBD II compliant.