Old cars rarely tell you clearly whether your work actually helped — until something goes wrong. So in this episode, I build a simple handheld diagnostic tool for my Porsche 964 to finally listen to what the DME has to say.
Using a few LEDs and resistors and some very old forum knowledge, I first make a minimal blink-code reader and then turn it into a proper handheld tool with a custom 3D-printed case. The result: fault-code reading, fault-code clearing, and even system adaptation — all without expensive factory tools.
Print the case:
https://www.printables.com/model/1703211-porsche-964-blink-code-diagnose
Sources:
http://www.peter.eu/diagnosetool_porsche_964.htm
https://www.pff.de/wcf/file-download/144425/
https://www.pff.de/wcf/file-download/144426/
https://www.pff.de/thread/2664667-systemanpassung-mit-eigenbau-diagnosetool-fuer-964/
https://rennlist.com/forums/964-forum/1043355-964-system-adaption.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/964-forum/247757-easy-way-to-get-fault-codes-from-dme.html
Work covered in this episode:
00:00 Intro
01:16 Let it blink
03:21 Improve the setup
06:17 Back in the car
07:34 The System Adaption
09:11 One more Thing
Disclaimer:
This video shows how I chose to work on my car. It is not a repair manual and it is not intended as professional advice.
If you work on your own vehicle, you do so entirely at your own risk. Always follow the official workshop manual for your car and, if in doubt, consult a qualified mechanic.
I accept no responsibility or liability for any damage, injury, or loss that may result from attempting to follow or copy what you see in this video.
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Chapeau and thank you for this excellent and very informative video. It truly deserves much more attention than it has received.
I am a young owner of a Porsche 944 S myself, with a similar connector, and I’m very interested to know if something like this could also be possible for my car.
Liebe Grüße aus dem Schwabenländle
Another great video!
Thank you for the excellent content.
Would it be possible to increase the font size?
My new fav YouTuber. More please 🙂
So happy with this channel! This system is like the early VAG diagnostic system, so before the OBD and VAGCOM period . This diagnosis system was also using flashing lights.
Why not print a plug? And wrap the cables?
You should digitalize it, use a ESP32 to read the pulses and then display the faults in text rather than codes to some display
Amazing work. Your videos makes me feel (almost ;)) sad to own 3.2 carrera without any electronic.. So sadly I cannot use this tool, or your spoiler tool.
Very cool vehicle
Why 2 led while one worked ?!