First of all, I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Definitely NOT fun. If you venture out again, try replacing every instance of "approx" to "at least" in Flying Low's instructions. Also, try to not let it rev over 2700, just to be safe. Did you start the drive cycles from a cold start? Also, did you switch the ignition off after the drive cycles? Disconnecting your battery will clear whatever flags you might have set, but I'm sure you already know that.

 

You may have not completed the second drive cycle. Unfortunately you won't know until until it's set.

Don

 

Woke up this morning at 4AM, tried to go back to sleep, after about 5 minutes thought-let’s try the readiness setting again. Had roads to myself. 2.25 minute warm up (heard SAI running), 3.5 minutes 3rd gear 1800 to 2000 rpm (long stretch of road), 20 min freeway 6th gear (see 6th gear has a purpose ), 55 mph approx 1900 rpm. Checked scanner and low and behold CLEARED…..Yes! Found 3000+ rpm again and headed home.

All in all, 140 miles trying to get readiness codes reset. Thanks everyone for their help!

Marco

 

Awesome!!! Congrats!!! You are free to like your car again.

 

If the car is stopped (not running) you will need to disarm the immobilizer in order to get ANY OBDII code reader (or even a Porsche tester) to communicate with the car's system.

If the car is running then the immobilizer is already disarmed and the reader should be communicating. I leave the reader connected while I'm doing the drive, about every minute the reader will "interrogate" the OBDII system to check for updates.

BTW, my reader does NOT require the batteries to be installed for the reader to work when it's connected to the OBDII port, it gets it's power from the car. The only reason for using batteries is to review codes when reader is unplugged from the car.

 

on another good OBDII note, I went to the salt lake county ref station last week. instead of putting the car on rollers for a sniff test the guy shrugged his shoulders and handed me a waiver.
no test, no look over, nothing.
must of been my lucky day, I'd a played the lotto but didn't feel like driving to wyoming.

 

+1 As I understand it, some codes require the cycle to be done TWICE. I am not sure which ones however.

 

See post # 48.

 

I got 2 1996 Twin turbo's ready this week, cold start and warmup and then drove the recommended cycle ie 20-40 mph under 2000 rpm, 50-60 under 3000 rpm. One did a trip complete 6 minutes into the 50-60 mph run and one completed after the 5 minute idle. Just takes perserverence.

 

Is the 997tt readiness code situation similar?
I recently had a bad battery, now three readiness parameters wont reset,(o2, sec air, cat).
TIA
c

 

My '97 throws the SAI CEL regularly, so I carry my OBDII scanner in the car and reset (turn off) the CEL, no issues at all until it is time for Smog Check every other year.

NOTE: I DO NOT reset (turn off) the CEL until the day BEFORE I do the drive cycle.

For the past 8+ years I have successfully done the drive cycle and passed California smog every time.
I'd like to share my experience and hope it is helpful to others.

First of all, in California, you are allowed 2 flags ( not ready ) for cars prior to year 2000.
You DO NOT need to reset ALL flags !

IMPORTANT NOTE:
For registration renewal in California, make sure you've READ what kind of smog station on your renewal notice from DMV, if it saids SMOG ONLY station.....you MUST go to that !
Pick out the smog station IN ADVANCE......

It does require 2 drive cycles, but I do it all in ONE TRIP....3am (no traffic).....approx. 1 hour time total.
1st. drive cycle from home (point A ) to end of step 5 ( point B ), then 2nd cycle from step 6 (point B )
back home ( point A ). Note: OBDII scanner plugged during the whole process so you know when you the flags are set.

I do the same drive cycle ( with some differences, not sure which one is correct, it works for me )

DO NOT exceed 3000rpm or 60mph during the drive cycle.

1) Cold start, idle for 2 min. 10 sec. ( with the A/C and rear defrost ON )...to add load?

2) Turn off A/C and rear defrost, do the 20-30mph for 3 min, 15 sec.

3) Drive 40-60mph for 15 min.

4) Come to a stop, leave it in gear for 5 mins. ( Manual Trans. )

5) Shut down engine for approx. 5 mins.

6) Repeat step 2 and 3......( Back sweet home, point A )


At the end of step 6, my scanner will say all flags are ready EXCEPT 2 ( OK for Cali ! )

Go directly to the nearest Smog station in the morning, when cold starting the engine, DO NOT let it idle cold, drive off right away or keep RPM above 2500 for the 1st. minute or so....... ( I believe this prevents the SAI pump from coming on )

Hope this can be helpful.

_____________
Blk/Blk '97 C2S

 

I understand, and agree with most of it but:
1) I've never turned on my A/C or defrost (for the drive cycle) and on both my 993's they set very easily.
4) the "in gear" requirement is for auto trans cars only, the only thing in-gear will do for a manual is put additional wear on the release bearing

I have a hard time understanding how you get to a fully "ready" status with 2 monitors not set? What 2 don't set? There are only 8 sensors monitored by the Porsche (and BMW's of the same vintage) OBDII system and on my scanner they set in a 3/5 increment, meaning 3 set very quickly and the remaining 5 set all at once at the end of a (successful) drive. (See post # 48, with pics now)

Not saying I can't be wrong but I've done a good bit of experimenting (on only 2 different 993's though) and each time it's worked the same.

 

"remaining 5 set all at once at the end of a (successful) drive"

That's exactly correct, i.e. all 5 at once!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I disconnected the battery to realign my steering wheel several weeks ago which lead to failing emissions last week because the codes were not ready. It took 3 tries and many thanks to this forum, I am good to get it tested today during lunch..

 

Guys help!

Flat battery and I charged it, installed in the car and I'm now running into the stalling at every single attempt to stop.

My issue with running the routine described in this thread is that I've got 3 speed bumps and one traffic light to negotiate before I can even think of attempting these cycles.

HELP! What should I do?