Hi Y'all,
New at water cooled Porsches. I scroll the forum but only found some feedback related to 928, nothing on 996. So here is my question:

Curious to see if the 2001 996 dashboard digital clock can be changed to Military time (i.e. 0-24) instead of the AM/PM current setup. After all, this Fräulein was built in Stuttgart, DE.
Anyway to reset it back without using a fancy PIWIS? Or is it a trip to the dealer? (My old 1978 Euro Carrera 3.0 never had digital issues!)

Speaking of Diagnostic tools, is there a reasonably cheap but efficient Diagnostic device (to connect to a laptop if possible) one would recommend for my 2001 beast. One that among other things could eventually reset my clock back to 0-24? I currently use a RossTech for my 2015/2017 diesel VWs but it is not really design for anything other than VW/Audi. Although, Porsche being part of the VW conglomerate, can we assume OBD are compatible?

Thank you for your inputs,


Stephane Salaün
Porsche 996 manual 6 2001
VW Sportwagen TDI manual 6 2015
VW Passat Wagen TDI manual 6 2017

 

Not sure about 12 hr / 24 hr format capabilities. If you model does allow it, this should be in the manual.

I use an iCarSoft POR V3 diag tool. I bought it because it was relatively inexpensive and it looked like it would pull out information and codes, etc. from the DME.
And It fits into a small case and I can take it with me in case I need to sort out some weird scenario on the road, or if I am at a DE and someone else needs to check something.

It does actually report a lot of useful info, lets me test the radiator fans and the variocam servos, etc. via the diag console, measure fuel trims, cat temp, oil and water temp, etc. etc.
I have not been able to get it to report that actual camshaft deviation, however, and I have a thread ongoing with the vendor to sort that out if possible.
You may want to consider it if all you need is to be able to read codes, read statistics, and test various functions.
More detailed and in depth activities will require a more expensive tool.

 

Do a search here on Rennlist for the $75 PIWIS threads. These threads are in multiple sub forums. The price is down closer to $40 now that the thread starter has posted the files so they are free now.

 

If you have the on board computer it’s in one of the settings. I changed mine the day I got it.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

-Manual explains only how to set the time. no mention of AM-PM/24Hour setup.
-I'll check on that diagnostic tool.

Thank you

 

We must have a different On-Board Computer. The functions on mine are ;
Range on remaining fuel
Speed gong
Average consumption
Average speed
Outside temperature
i suspect a decent PIWIS will definitively address my issue. along with switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Thanks for the input

 

Out of curiosity, under what conditions one would need to know the am/pm (or for that matter the 24-hr format) indication on the clock when inside the car? Alaska?

 

I travel for work a fair amount. When you are jet lagged and set your alarm for 6:00 and it doesn’t go off until 18:00 you get a different perspective. Changed to 24 hr time decades ago on all devices and never looked back.

 

Understood, but how does the clock inside the car help you in your situation, unless you are already inside the car?