I am doing a little research on how to reset the CEL, there must be a procedure without having to hook up to a Hammer. For example, I've found some info. regarding clearing trouble codes can be as easy as 1)With engine off, turn ignition switch to ON position. 2) Fully depress accelerator pedal for more than 11 secs. Has anyone try this process and does it reset the CEL?

 

Also, anyone out in Los Angeles area have the software to read the fault code please PM me........Thanks!

 

Any decent mechanic will flip it for free and tell you the underlying codes.
Inexpensive OBD-II products (CarChip, www.obd-2.com) will reset the CEL and pick up many of the codes.
Call a dealer to see if there's a procedure such as you suggest. If you're near SF, I can reset it for you. Do you know why it's on?

 

I second the obd-2 product. Used it to reset the CEL light on my pcar and my honda. Takes about 5 minutes to do and saves a trip to the stealer.

 

Carrera GT
Thanks for the offer, but I'm down in So Cal.. I have just purchased the car a week ago, failed the 1st. smog test....the functional part (failure to successfully complete all OBD self tests). Found out it had a new battery installed about 3K miles ago, I figured its worth trying to reset all the codes by following the crazy procedure and it worked! Passed the 2nd. time. The next day the CEL came on and stayed........??? Any Clue?
I am going to order the OBD-II product Monday, it is very reasonable priced.
For me, I would like to know whats going on immediately whenever the CEL light comes on.

 

www.obd-2.com is fairly priced. The real value is they're always working on it and incredibly seem to be bringing out new features and functionality almost every month.
I'd take the car to a dealer asap and have them read off the codes. There's no way any third party product will decipher all the mumbo jumbo (technically speaking) in a Porsche ECU. Plus, if it's serious, you need to stop running that enging -- what if it's saying you're leaning out?

And you did this to clear the CEL?
1) Engine off, turn ignition to ON
2) Fully depress accelerator for more than 11 secs

It worked? Well, I have no way to easily test this, but it's new to me. Fascinating.
Does the CEL go out after 11 secs or do you then have to turn the starter or take the key out then start up? Just curious.

 

Any standard OBDII scanner will read all the DME codes and provide
actual live data for $200 - $400. This for ANY '96 or later car.

Search the Internet, there are better products than the obd-2.

Good Luck
Loren
'88 3.2

 

I have not tried the procedure yet, I'm afraid if it works I would lost the fault code. The instruction to clear the code didn't say whether or not it will clear the CEL.
Sounds like to me you are saying that the OBD-II product does not totally decipher the codes, so my question is....if you have to second guess this product, what good is it?

 

Do a search at Yahoo under "Ottoscan". You'll find a great scanner
that runs on a Palm device. The cheap Palms can be purchased
for about $100. The Ottoscan software will read the codes and
allow you to reset them if you wish. You can also view "live" data.

Good Luck
Loren

 

Loren -- thank you

 

Don't Lift...just curious...you're in California and you just bought the car...correct? Getting it smogged is the responsibility of the seller. Did the seller not get it smogged before transferring title to you? You can't transfer a used car without a smog cert provided by the seller.

 

I think the OBD-2 software is pretty good. I'd enjoy trying something better. What have you used?

 

I bought a car in Texas and it was my responsibility to own the car according to CA law and it was the responsibility of the seller to sell the car according to TX law (which then was "make sure that California guy's check clears.")

 

In Ohio, you can go to any Autozone parts store and they will plug their machine into the car to tell you the code that caused the CEL. It's free but you then need someone (Rennlist) to help you decipher what the code means.

 

I just got the Auterra scan tool for my Palm. It was ~$290 and gives you all fault codes (and enables the reset) plus live data.