1988 944S Diagnostic connection

[gdolph]

I have a 944S which is running rough when cold and smelling a bit rich in general. I would like to read the error codes from the ECU, and after looking at this and other forums I'm still not completely sure how to do it. I have the 12 pin connector, see the attached pic. A KTS300 costs about £1000, which is a lot of money for a home mechanic to shell out and I'm certainly not going to. I've found an adapter in the US, see this link:http://www.bergvillfx.com...he-12-pin-adapter.html
If I do get that part would any old ODB reader work? Is there a better solution?

 

[Waylander]

Nope, the obd device has to speak porsche and none of them do

Durametric does

 

[garyadams]

Hi,

Here are a couple of links that you may find interesting

http://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/735558-12-pin-rectangular-diag-connector.html
http://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=17157

I made up the lead as shown in the second link, but I've yet to find software that is adjustable to the databit speed of the processor. I think its around 8800 where most readers will be looking for 9600khz
hence plugging in an OBD it won't recognise what it is getting.
If anyone knows of any adjustable software then I'd be interested to know about it.

Gary

 

[gdolph]

Thanks for that link. I've been doing some more research, I've found a 12 pin to ODB connector for $80 in the states here:
http://www.bergvillfx.com/index.php/products/obd-diagnostics/obd-porsche-12-pin-adapter.html

I've also found someone who has developed an reader for sale, it's a lot cheaper than buying a KTS but still €400-ish.
http://jenniskens.livedsl.nl/diag/Diag.htm

 

[Indi9xx]

I've also found someone who has developed an reader for sale, it's a lot cheaper than buying a KTS but still €400-ish.
http://jenniskens.livedsl.nl/diag/Diag.htm

That one looks good, seems to do everything the original Bosch Hammer KTS used to do, but in a very clear to see way, I like the way you can see a wide spectrum of data all on the same page.

I have an original Bosch Hammer KTS with the Porsche software, as well as all the Porsche diagnostic computers since, and to be honest, I am almost tempted to get one of those because it shows all the variables in one place, especially how with the alarm page you can see all the inputs on the one page, which can be handy.. With the original KTS you could only see little snippets of info on a small LCD and on its replacement the PST2 you have a nice big screen, but have to select what inputs you want to see.

About a decade ago I helped John Speak at JDS Porsche develop a Bosch hammer substitute he had designed, which had a small LCD screen and could work with the 928, 964 and 944S/S2 ecus.. He does not advertise them, but used to call them the the JDS Spanner (play on words with the Bosch Hammer) which I am not sure of the price of or even if he still sells them. But it may be worth giving him a call in case he stopped selling them but has a few in a drawer somewhere.

There is even a chance that John might be the person behind the scenes who developed this one.

 

[gdolph]

I've also found someone who has developed an reader for sale, it's a lot cheaper than buying a KTS but still €400-ish.
http://jenniskens.livedsl.nl/diag/Diag.htm

That one looks good, seems to do everything the original Bosch Hammer KTS used to do, but in a very clear to see way, I like the way you can see a wide spectrum of data all on the same page.

I have an original Bosch Hammer KTS with the Porsche software, as well as all the Porsche diagnostic computers since, and to be honest, I am almost tempted to get one of those because it shows all the variables in one place, especially how with the alarm page you can see all the inputs on the one page, which can be handy.. With the original KTS you could only see little snippets of info on a small LCD and on its replacement the PST2 you have a nice big screen, but have to select what inputs you want to see.

About a decade ago I helped John Speak at JDS Porsche develop a Bosch hammer substitute he had designed, which had a small LCD screen and could work with the 928, 964 and 944S/S2 ecus.. He does not advertise them, but used to call them the the JDS Spanner (play on words with the Bosch Hammer) which I am not sure of the price of or even if he still sells them. But it may be worth giving him a call in case he stopped selling them but has a few in a drawer somewhere.

There is even a chance that John might be the person behind the scenes who developed this one.

John's the one who pointed me in the direction of this product, he says he doesn't have any more spanners. €400 seems a bit dear compared to dime a dozen odb readers, but it's a different beast and they seem to have cracked a tough problem.

 

[Indi9xx]

John's the one who pointed me in the direction of this product, he says he doesn't have any more spanners. €400 seems a bit dear compared to dime a dozen odb readers, but it's a different beast and they seem to have cracked a tough problem.

I will look after my one then )

I actually find it useful still for 964s where it does something the hammer and PST2 can't do and is undocumented, which is a full ecu and idle adaption.

I am tempted to get one of the tools you linked to, just because of the way it displays information, especially for the 928's and the alarm etc. I don't think 400 euros is too bad, but then again I would use it reasonably often.

Where in the country are you?