[flash]

Reading Porsche 968 Fault Code with Check-Engine Lamp (not for R.O.W. cars)

Basic Procedure:
1. Verify operation of Check-Engine lamp. (Lamp should light up when ignition is switched on)

2. Fault codes on USA vehicles may be read using the Check-Engine lamp. To trigger the flashing code, fully depress the accelerator pedal for 3 seconds with the engine off and the ignition on until the Check-Engine lamp flashes. Then ease off the throttle.

3. Light will repeatedly flash stored code sequence(s) until ignition is turned off.

Known Limitations:
Diagnostics of this nature are typically performed by professionals with access to specialized tools. The Bosch Hammer/System Tester 9288 (or one of it's successors) is the preferred way to read fault codes and will be required to erase the fault memory. Also, the fault codes listed are intended to serve as a starting point for follow-on diagnostic efforts and, thus, knowing the fault code is not necessarily the same as knowing which component is faulty.

NOTE: A "2" IN THE SECOND DIGIT LOCATION OF THE 4 DIGIT CODE INDICATES AN "INTERMITTENT" ISSUE

Fault Codes (968): (Flashing Code Fault Description)
1-5 No Fault
1-1-1-1 Supply voltage
1-1-1-4 Engine temperature sensor 2
1-1-1-6 Throttle potentiometer
1-1-1-7 Oil temperature sensor
1-1-1-8 Rpm signal
1-1-1-9 Speed signal - Speedometer
1-1-2-1 Air flow sensor
1-1-2-3 Oxygen regulation
1-1-2-4 Oxygen sensor
1-1-2-6 Ignition timing change
1-1-2-7 Open winding of idle stabilizer
1-1-2-8 Close winding of idle stabilizer
1-1-2-9 Activation of AC relay
1-1-3-1 Knock sensor 1
1-1-3-2 Knock sensor 2
1-1-3-3 Control unit faulty
1-1-3-4 Hall signal
1-1-3-5 VarioCam
1-1-3-6 Idle CO potentiometer
1-1-4-1 Control unit faulty
1-1-4-2 Fuel pump relay (DME-relay)
1-1-4-3 Tank ventilation relay
1-1-4-5 Check Engine warning lamp
1-1-5-1 Injection valve cylinder 1
1-1-5-2 Injection valve cylinder 2
1-1-5-3 Injection valve cylinder 3
1-1-5-4 Injection valve cylinder 4

*Second number in sequence may vary (1 is for a constant fault. 2 is for a loose contact)

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[mattipuh]

Hey this is useful hint! Why this is only for US cars, and not ROW? Functionality is not available for ROW, or they're using different defect codes?

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[flash]

it's because you don't have the "Check Engine" light enabled - there is a thread here that tells about somebody enabling it - i don't think it was on an ROW car though - not sure if it will work or not

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[unknown4u]

I connected the check engine light in my ROW. and it is functional!.

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[josephsc]

<!--quoteo(post=78636:date=Aug 25 2009, 07:34 AM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Aug 25 2009, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->it's because you don't have the "Check Engine" light enabled - there is a thread here that tells about somebody enabling it - i don't think it was on an ROW car though - not sure if it will work or not<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->I'd love to find that thread -- I have a Canadian car that needs CEL enabled. Any idea where the thread might be? (Yes, I searched all over on "Check Engine" already -- lots of results....)

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[flash]

it was discussed here very recently (last couple of weeks) - i'll try to find it

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[Chris Vais]

Look for my "Check engine Light" post from about a month or so ago, mid july I believe.

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[josephsc]

Hmm... I found this thread about the missing bulb and the trailer warning light, but this didn't help me. I guess I wasn't clear earlier -- my CEL work, but blink test doesn't return anything, ever.... But I know there's a member up in Canada who seems to manage to get it working....

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[rf285]

Thanks Flash!

1-5 for me. My wallet is happy.

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[rxter]

did the 94 today. First time I've actually seen this work. 1-5. eggsellent....

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[CVG968]

A US 95 968, why doesn't this work on my car. I have a Check Engine Light. It comes on when in '2' (ON) Position. It won't blink. ??????

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[Gotter]

Yeah, I have a '92.... and can't get it to blink. I might be retarded. My wife would attest to it......

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[SILVY968]

I have a 1995 that used to "blink". In the last year it has stopped.

brian

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[BeBe]

My check engine light came on the other day, so I searched a number of threads that talked about the blink test. My car does blink, but I'm having trouble matching what I think I saw/counted with any of the codes listed. What is the significance of a short blink vs. a long blink? Watching the blinks is sort of like Morse code -- some seem longer than others. For the time being, I reset the codes and the check engine light hasn't come back on.

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[Chris Vais]

I don't think that there is anything significant about the length of the blink (light on) there is a slight difference in the length of time between the blinks. The codes a made up of 4 number groups so the length of time between the light pulse is longer at end of each number group.

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[BeBe]

I thought maybe I solved the problem of my check engine light. When I went for emissions check, the car passed but the gas cap failed. So, I got a new gas cap. All was good until the night before I was going back to get re-tested. Bringing my son back from college with the car fully warmed up and cruising at 65-70 mph on the interstate, it came on for a few minutes and then went off. The next morning, it came on before the car was fully warmed up and stayed on until just before I arrived at the emissions testing location. I didn't think they had to retest the car, as it had passed last time. They did. And it passed again. Not really sure what to think at this point.



Will probably drive the car tomorrow and see what happens. Is it unusual to get an intermittent light, or is it just a matter of time before it comes on and stays on?

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[flash]

have you done a blink test? if so, what code popped up?



that "exclamation point" light will come on if ANY of the system checks shows anything, including and very often, the parking brake handle being up even the slightest amount.



the check engine light should not come on unless one of the sensors is acting up. again, a blink test will show that.

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[DaveN]

But if the light clears as he states then is the blink info lost when he turns off the car?

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[flash]

not at all. it stays there until you clear the codes. he likely has an intermittent code. this would be reflected as a 2 instead of a 1 in the second digit location

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[BeBe]

Well, the blink test hasn't illuminated much for me. The first code I think I see is 1-2-3-2, which is intermittent knock. The next code is 1-1-2-3, which is related to O2 regulation. However, if it is not an intermittent code, it seems to me that the light should stay on. Then I get blinks I can't understand that seem like they start with a 2 and 3. May be just cycling through again and I'm missing the break between one sequence and the next.



One other thing I don't understand is that all "1s" don't seem to be equal. Some are on the order of a second or two and some are literally blinks.



Today, the light came on momentarily when pulling out of my neighborhood, then went off. About 5 miles later, it came on and stayed on.



The only thing I know for certain is that something's up. I think my PM is going to have to diagnose and fix. My balance shaft belts need adjusted anyway...

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