JeffC

Hey Folks,

I just received a 1997 993 (from Florida) and it has been at the inspection place for a week. The problem now is the ECM is storing codes (0002, 0034, 0023, 0254) but the Check Engine Light is not coming on. The light comes on when the car is first started, but not again. Any ideas?

Thanks for your time,

Jeff

Cape Cod

1997 993 - currently sick

KMASS993

Jeff,

I had the same issue that you did however the light bulb was burnt out! I could get an OBD2 reader and do some research to find the codes. If you are kicking SAI codes, get ready for a flush. Florida isn't an smog state from my knowledge so the previous owner probably had no idea.

Regards,

Kevin

JeffC

Kevin,

Thanks for the response and offer. You are correct that Florida doesn't do inspections and the shop that maintained the car in Florida didn't realize the CEL bulb was initially out so they had no idea about the codes. It appears the OBD2 is reporting the codes so the CEL won't come on. The codes are being read directly from the ECU. Also the inspection shop says there are 'monitors that aren't coming in'. So, I am getting the car back to drive until the CEL comes on or the monitors complete the test cycle successfully. I am hoping the latter.

Jeff

Jeff

JeffC

I mistyped the last response. The OBD2 IS NOT reporting the codes. Just the ECU.

AOW162435

I wonder if someone helped themselves to the CEL bulb.....


Andreas

DC from Cape Cod

Who did you bring it to here on the Cape?

nile13

Hold it, hold it. Something doesn't compute here.

In the great socialist republic of MA as of October of last year there are only two kinds of inspection - visual safety inspection (lights, brakes, tires, etc) and OBD II code reading. Now, why do they attempt to read anything from the ECU and how exactly are they doing it? And how are they interpreting what they've read?

OBD II should read something. If the battery was disconnected and the codes reset, it takes some time to get the proper readings back. There is a sequence of driving so many miles not exceeding certain revs, if I'm not mistaken, somebody will correct me here as I, thankfully, have an OBD 1 car. So if they read the OBD II interface and it tells them it's not set, they should clearly indicate that and tell you to drive until codes set for reading. They have no business anywhere near ECU for an annual inspection. I'd certainly not let them anywhere near.

So... what the hell are they reading and where? And why?

993-C4S

As a tax paying member of this great socialist state, I eagerly await the response.

coltj

Nile13 is correct. MA State Inspection stations should connect to the ODBII connector to check that the readiness codes are set etc. Has the station told you that the car has failed due to ODBII errors or readiness codes not being "ready"? Sounds like you should take your car back from whoever has it now and bring it to someone else. I'm sure someone from the South Shore/CC can recommend a good indie shop. I use EPE, but they're in Natick.

You say the CEL light comes on when you first start the car and then goes out. Does it go out when all the other "start-up" lights go out, as it should?

JeffC

Let's see if I can answer all the questions. Andreas was correct in that originally the CEL was burned out which is why I got the initial failure from Falmouth Motor Car (DC's question). They had checked the engine codes with an OBD2 reader and found quite a few codes and the CEL wasn't on. They replaced the CEL and cleared the codes via the OBD2 interface. The CEL is now off but they say the monitors have not completed. Is that the same as what coltj is saying about the Readiness codes? The CEL acts like it should at startup. Now this is where I am not clear on the different software available. Falmouth motor car stopped using the OBD2 tester and hooked up a laptop that reads the actual ECU codes. This is what I am told and this is where I am confused. The codes being read are 0002, 0034, 0023, 0254 which obviously aren't in the OBD2 format but they say are in the ECU format. The ECL is not on at this time. There is a Porsche specialist on the Cape at Sports Imports in Falmouth and Scott has been contacted by the guys working on the car. He feels the same as Niles and that after the OBD2 codes were cleared, the car hasn't gone completely through the reset procedure.

Whew! So, after all that, I am getting the car back and will be driving it until one of 2 things happen. The worst being the ECL comes on. The best being the Monitor/Readiness becomes complete or ready.

I am going to search for the correct way of reseting the ECU after the codes have been cleared so I can personally control the driving.

One little gotcha is that I am told I have to have a certified (for emissions) MA inspection station fix the issue or I do not have any financial recourse if the next test fails. Is this true?

Thanks for all the ideas and help. With any luck the Forest Green 993 will be out and about on the Cape this week. I will also take some pics and post them.

Jeff

Deadeye

Jeff, it sounds like you need to take it out and drive it like you stole it for a few days and if the CEL does not come on, take it in for an inspection. If you want to bring it by here (Buzzards Bay) I have a code reader that will indicate if it's ready or not. I don't believe the inspection stations need to access anything besides the OBD2 to make sure the emissions system is functioning properly. I've been doing the SAI dance for a couple of years now by clearing the codes, driving until the OBD2 gives a "ready" message , and get to the inspection station as soon as possible before it flags the SAI codes again.
Dennis.

JeffC

Thanks Dennis. I will take you up on your offer. I pick up the car tomorrow and drive it for the rest of the week. Maybe we can get together Saturday to give it a quick check. How can I get to you personally without bugging the list with the details?

Thanks,

Jeff

DC from Cape Cod

I have never heard of Sports Imports before.....anyone here have any experience with them?

nile13

Yes, it is the same and the story is quite normal so far.

I would get the car out of there immediately. Get an R sticker (you can legally drive with it for a month in MA), drive the car until the codes set. You can even check that yourself with a free code reader from AutoZone or Advance Autoparts. Once they reset, read them yourself to make sure nothing is triggered and bring it back for re-inspection.

This is my pet peeve. Give the monkey the most sophisticated computer - they will still remain monkeys and wouldn't know which port tech fresh banana should be coming out of. So they read some "codes" and have no clue what they mean. Classic. nevertheless they fail the car, right?

Bingo. In either event you'll be able to read OBD 2 codes and figure out what the car thinks is wrong with it if anything.

No, no, no! You do not "reset the ECU". Leave it alone.

Not sure what you mean by financial recourse in this case. Could you elaborate?

Did you get the R sticker and an explanation of why the car is rejected, in writing? If so, please let us know what it is. If not, tell us what the end result was of the laptop-equipped monkeys touching your car other than the extra pow prints on the paint.

Ah, I hope so :-) The more green 993s around, the better :-) My is Aventurine. It's soaking outside right now.

Deadeye

They are a small indy shop in North Falmouth, not sure what their P-car experience is.

Jeff, if you send me a PM I'll give you my phone #- I don't think I can send you a PM as your not a member.