What code reader do you suggest?
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 9
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What code reader do you suggest?
So I got my 955 and I already see that it is full of computers and subsystems. I have some weird behavior. The climate control flaps are making some intermittent noises, I get some weird intermittent codes. I have been using torque and a no name obd scanner but I can’t access transmission diagnostic, airbag diagnostic etc. can’t can’t calibrate or at least diagnose the climate control components
I know that getting piwis 1 is the best solution but it is probably hard to get. So are there any alternatives in the $150-300 range that come close to piwis? A local Porsche place wants $350 just to look at the car and make me a list. Afraid of the prices to fix stuff.
I know that getting piwis 1 is the best solution but it is probably hard to get. So are there any alternatives in the $150-300 range that come close to piwis? A local Porsche place wants $350 just to look at the car and make me a list. Afraid of the prices to fix stuff.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Ammon, ID
tldr; PIWIS 2 is king, but -pricy- iCarsoft is good (never used, others say so) Durametric is a sort of standard, and VCDS is out there too.
There are many who use iCarsoft, So that's not a bad idea, but as to what is can do for you, hoping someone else can chime in, as many people do say good things about it. I've got Durametric because at the time it was purchased (many years ago) that was the only option outside PIWIS and a 993 was still in the family. Torque is great for reading and clearing generic CELs, but outside of that, Durametric and iCarsoft are common. Some do OK with VCDS by itself (it's a system designed by Ross-Tech for Volkswagen/Audi, but with some patience and importing of configuration files people have made it work almost as effectively.) Usually there is some overlap if you own watercooled Porsche long enough as something like VCDS gave me auto-on headlights, while Durametric allowed me to monitor Camshaft derivation over time to ensure proper IMS bearing installation. PIWIS 2 is great, but...That is a pricey road to travel, though it -does- give you the best access.
There are many who use iCarsoft, So that's not a bad idea, but as to what is can do for you, hoping someone else can chime in, as many people do say good things about it. I've got Durametric because at the time it was purchased (many years ago) that was the only option outside PIWIS and a 993 was still in the family. Torque is great for reading and clearing generic CELs, but outside of that, Durametric and iCarsoft are common. Some do OK with VCDS by itself (it's a system designed by Ross-Tech for Volkswagen/Audi, but with some patience and importing of configuration files people have made it work almost as effectively.) Usually there is some overlap if you own watercooled Porsche long enough as something like VCDS gave me auto-on headlights, while Durametric allowed me to monitor Camshaft derivation over time to ensure proper IMS bearing installation. PIWIS 2 is great, but...That is a pricey road to travel, though it -does- give you the best access.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Spring Lake, NJ, US of A
I own 3 different code tools. There are differences - primarily in the coverage for different models. For a 955/957 Cayenne and a 987 Boxster I would STRONGLY suggest the FOXWELL NT530 with the Porsche software module. It covers all the systems in both cars and does programming for both cars. It enables replacing modules by reading the old module then downloading the information to the new module. Overall - it's the best I've seen for this. It doesn't quite have those capabilities for the 958 Cayenne. About $160 with the Porsche software.
I also own a Durametric Enthusiast - that's the last tool to be dragged out. Having to hookup a laptop to it and wait until everything connects correctly is frustrating, as is the lack of firmware updates from Durametric for about forever.
I also have an iCarScan X431. It comes in 2nd to the Foxwell. I believe both are based on the Launch reverse engineering of the PIWIS system as menus and capabilities are similar. The iCarScan X431 uses a Bluetooth OBD-II dongle and your cell phone to connect and read the data. It doesn't offer much in the way of programming for any vehicle I've tried it on, but I haven't paid for the latest Porsche update so there may be more capabilities now.
I also own a Durametric Enthusiast - that's the last tool to be dragged out. Having to hookup a laptop to it and wait until everything connects correctly is frustrating, as is the lack of firmware updates from Durametric for about forever.
I also have an iCarScan X431. It comes in 2nd to the Foxwell. I believe both are based on the Launch reverse engineering of the PIWIS system as menus and capabilities are similar. The iCarScan X431 uses a Bluetooth OBD-II dongle and your cell phone to connect and read the data. It doesn't offer much in the way of programming for any vehicle I've tried it on, but I haven't paid for the latest Porsche update so there may be more capabilities now.
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Apr 2021
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@deilenberger thank you for the information. I find it very surprising and valuable because most people talk about the Durametric and very few about Foxwell.
I have a question. I have a 2006 955 and the climate control flaps are clapping on startup for a few minutes. Do you know or do you remember (you don't seem to have a 955 anymore) if this scanner can reset the flaps? I am having problem with this and I believe that a scanner purchase will be way cheaper than a dealer flap reset.
I have a question. I have a 2006 955 and the climate control flaps are clapping on startup for a few minutes. Do you know or do you remember (you don't seem to have a 955 anymore) if this scanner can reset the flaps? I am having problem with this and I believe that a scanner purchase will be way cheaper than a dealer flap reset.
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Burning Brakes
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Servo motors for the flaps fail over time/use. I had to replace 3 on a 2008 already. Potentially a broken tooth or teeth at or near the "home" position and when the motor doesn't hold the flap in the right position because of the missing tooth or teeth, you get repeat tries to get the flap to the postion it thinks it is supposed to be in based on climate control settings. Investigate the servo motors for mechanical function and for the motor operating properly. They open and close for heat vs. cool and for various air flow configurations... windshield, dash, floor and rear seat. From online dealers the Porsche part is typically more than $300 and there are 9 in the standard ventilation system. Since these are almost certainly the same servos used in the Toureg, the VW part could save potentially $100s of dollars if you have to replace more than one. Many of the servo motors can be accessed without removing the dashboard... but I can't say if all of them are accessible without removing the dashboard. The shop that replaced the 3 servos for me had software that would actuate each flap and tell you if there were failures. They found out which servos needed to be replaced very quickly. I didn't ask what they were using.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Spring Lake, NJ, US of A
@deilenberger thank you for the information. I find it very surprising and valuable because most people talk about the Durametric and very few about Foxwell.
I have a question. I have a 2006 955 and the climate control flaps are clapping on startup for a few minutes. Do you know or do you remember (you don't seem to have a 955 anymore) if this scanner can reset the flaps? I am having problem with this and I believe that a scanner purchase will be way cheaper than a dealer flap reset.
I have a question. I have a 2006 955 and the climate control flaps are clapping on startup for a few minutes. Do you know or do you remember (you don't seem to have a 955 anymore) if this scanner can reset the flaps? I am having problem with this and I believe that a scanner purchase will be way cheaper than a dealer flap reset.
Here is what it says on "Air Conditioning":
Active test should do it for you. And if it's like the iCarScan - the "Calibration" teaches the system which stepper motor (actuator) is which by running each one.
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I just bought a launch X431 diagun IV. From everything iv read this sort of tool seems to be the one to buy atm as it covers almost all makes and models of car but sounds like it can also do coding level mods on porsche cayennes and most cars with that ability and display all ecu sensors etc in realtime.
Thats all I needed to hear so I bought one. Just got to wait for it to turn up and see what I can actually do with it.
Thats all I needed to hear so I bought one. Just got to wait for it to turn up and see what I can actually do with it.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,084
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From: Spring Lake, NJ, US of A
I just bought a launch X431 diagun IV. From everything iv read this sort of tool seems to be the one to buy atm as it covers almost all makes and models of car but sounds like it can also do coding level mods on porsche cayennes and most cars with that ability and display all ecu sensors etc in realtime.
Thats all I needed to hear so I bought one. Just got to wait for it to turn up and see what I can actually do with it.
Thats all I needed to hear so I bought one. Just got to wait for it to turn up and see what I can actually do with it.
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From: Usa
Yeah what im hoping is I can sell my mercedes star diagnostic unit as thats what I was using to do coding mods on my W211 E55 AMG.
So yeah im hoping it can do similar stuff to what I was doing with my star diag machine on this 955. The E55 and these seem to be very similar computer and air suspension wise.
But its totally dependent on how launch have programmed their scanner on what it can do on varying cars so......
You're right most of the stuff I was reading about it was mainly aimed at the 958 models it can do alot on those. Hopefuly it can do some basic stuff on these too.
Last edited by Austingtir; Apr 9, 2021 at 11:17 PM.
Track Day
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Greensboro, NC
This is a super cheap solution if all you need to do is read/clear Porsche specific fault codes.
It has some live data capability but not for every module. I know at least the 957 Turbo DME, transmission computer, and auto HVAC have full live data streams available with this scanner.
I quite like using VCDS though for adjusting adaptions in things like the air suspension, central convince module, and trailer module; it is very quick and easy with their guided long coding helper tool.
It has some live data capability but not for every module. I know at least the 957 Turbo DME, transmission computer, and auto HVAC have full live data streams available with this scanner.
I quite like using VCDS though for adjusting adaptions in things like the air suspension, central convince module, and trailer module; it is very quick and easy with their guided long coding helper tool.
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Mine ended up being a diagun V even though it was advertised as a IV. Diagun V just has a better processor and slightly updated as far as I cant tell. comes with 2 years worth of updates very happy with the unit so far.
I calibrated the air suspension as I was getting the usual 1403 error after working on the front diff. Had to put in different values compared to the actual measurements with a ruler as mentioned on here in certain threads. Bit weird but it got rid of the code and warning light on the dash.
Just mainly been deleting codes and looking at realtime sensor values so far entry into coding options seems hit and miss. But havent needed to do any of that yet.
Its probably been better on my mercedes fleet than the cayennes but iv never used a piwis so I cant compare its really much of a muchness. I had a mercedes star diagnostic system and this thing is pretty good it is missing the real in depth coding menu's particularly in the instrument cluster for adding all sorts of basic functions to the merc instrument cluster like gallons left in tank and titbits like that.
I would describe it as a mid to high level scanner. The real advantage of this one is its versatility and ease of use.
I can see why though they havent included those deep menus on star diagnostics. On Star diagnostics xentry the deep coding menus tend to be in german and without some sort of guide or sitting there for hours on a translator its hard to get very far with it. Deff the potential to brick or stuff something up for the un intitated.
I calibrated the air suspension as I was getting the usual 1403 error after working on the front diff. Had to put in different values compared to the actual measurements with a ruler as mentioned on here in certain threads. Bit weird but it got rid of the code and warning light on the dash.
Just mainly been deleting codes and looking at realtime sensor values so far entry into coding options seems hit and miss. But havent needed to do any of that yet.
Its probably been better on my mercedes fleet than the cayennes but iv never used a piwis so I cant compare its really much of a muchness. I had a mercedes star diagnostic system and this thing is pretty good it is missing the real in depth coding menu's particularly in the instrument cluster for adding all sorts of basic functions to the merc instrument cluster like gallons left in tank and titbits like that.
I would describe it as a mid to high level scanner. The real advantage of this one is its versatility and ease of use.
I can see why though they havent included those deep menus on star diagnostics. On Star diagnostics xentry the deep coding menus tend to be in german and without some sort of guide or sitting there for hours on a translator its hard to get very far with it. Deff the potential to brick or stuff something up for the un intitated.
Last edited by Austingtir; May 6, 2021 at 05:25 AM.