Top 5 Best OBD2 Scanners for Porsche

With hundreds of OBD-II scanners on the market, it is overwhelming for many Porsche owners to figure out the best OBD2 scanner for Porsche. Know the best OBD2 Scanners for your Porsche by checking the list below.

The scanners we review here range from $140 to $700 and can diagnose multiple Porsche systems, including Engine, Anti-lock Brake System, transmission, airbag, and more.

Here are the Top 5 Best OBD2 Scanners for Porsche

1. YOUCANIC Full System Scanner

Here are some cons of other OBD-II scanners compared to the YOUCANIC Full System Scanner

• Many scanner manufacturers make scanners that require a yearly subscription.
• It can diagnose one make but doesn’t work on all car makes. You will have to pay more to cover other vehicle makes.
• I can’t diagnose all vehicle systems. May only diagnose the engine, airbag, transmission, and ABS problems. That’s only four systems. Modern cars can have up to 40+ systems.
• Don’t support bi-directional support for sensor testing and activation.

If you want a scanner that can do all these, you must spend thousands of dollars and most likely pay a yearly subscription.

So we decided to launch the YOUCANIC full system scanner that works on all makes and models.

The YOUCANIC full system scanner:

• Works on all makes.
• Can read and clear codes from all vehicle control units.
• View live data from any sensor.
• Bi-direction support to activate and test sensors and motors.
• Reset functions depending on the model.

If that is not enough, remember that the YOUCANIC scanner does not require a yearly subscription like other professional-level scanners. We believe that the YOUCANIC scanner offers the best OBD2 for the money for auto mechanics and DIYers.

We have many how-to videos showing you how to troubleshoot car problems. Once you get the codes, the YOUCANIC technicians can help.

2. iCarsoft POR II

Highlights

• DME – Engine
• Airbag – SRS
• ABS
• Tiptronic
• Alarm
• Seat Memory
• Heating & A/C
• and more

Summary

iCarsoft POR II is one of the best multi-system Porsche scanners under $200. The iCarsoft POR II scanner is for owners looking for a powerful OBD-II scanner for Porsche vehicles.

The iCarsoft scanner is affordable for Porsche owners yet can read and clear codes from most modules.

The iCarsoft Por II can also display live sensor data, perform calibration, or carry out sensor activations for the following:

• Transmission
• ABS
• Electronic Parking Brake
• Steering Angle Sensor
• Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
• Battery Management (BMS) module
• Climate Control
• Airbag / SRS module

Check the coverage on the Porsche iCarsoft II listing page or with the seller, as some newer Porsche models may not be covered yet. Overall it is straightforward to use, even if you have never used a Porsche OBD2 scanner.

A few features include ABS Bleeding, Injector coding, and ABS Brake relearn function when ABS is replaced. Multi-system diagnostics only work on Porsche vehicles. It can be used on any vehicle for engine diagnostics but not to diagnose other modules. While the iCarsoft can read and clear codes from most modules on your Porsche, it has limited codding and sensor activation functionality.

3. Autel MaxiCOM Professional Scanner

The Autel MaxiCOM is a professional-level diagnostic scanner for Porsche and other makes. While it is the most expensive scanner on this list, it is also the cheapest scanner you can get to offer similar functionality to a dealer-level scanner.

The Autel MaxiCOM can access all Porsche systems and modules, carry out sensor activations programming, and display live sensor data from all the modules.

Another advantage of the Autel MaxiCOM is that it covers almost all makes and models and is not just for diagnosing Porsche vehicles. This scanner is expensive for Porsche owners, who may only use it a few times. If money is not a concern, this is undoubtedly the best Porsche scanner for the money.

4. Launch Creader VII+ 

Highlights

• Engine
• Airbag
• Transmission
• ABS modules
• Works on most vehicles make

Summary

The Launch Creader VII+ is a great overall scanner that works on almost any car. Its main capabilities are reading and clearing codes from Engine, Transmission, Airbag, and ABS modules.

Unlike iCarsoft, which only works on Porsche, you can use the Launch Creader on almost any make and model. While iCarsoft provides in-depth troubleshooting for Porsche vehicles, Launch Creader covers the four systems mentioned in most makes and models.

The only downside of the Launch Creader is that it does not diagnose all systems on a Porsche. For example, if your climate control module has fault codes, you can’t read and clear those codes with Launch Creader.

5. Porsche PIWIS

Highlights

• read/clear error codes
• View live data stream.
• any module programming
• perform any component testing
• view maintenance information
• display wiring diagram

Summary

PIWIS is a diagnostic scanner for Porsche dealers and mechanics.

Porsche PIWIS is the most powerful diagnostic tool for Porsche vehicles. It is used at Porsche dealerships for diagnosis, troubleshooting, and programming. Porsche Piwis Tester II can help you diagnose and program anything on a Porsche. It works on new and old Porsche vehicles.

New Panamera vehicles can be diagnosed with Porsche Piwis Tester II. PIWIS scanner is too expensive and difficult to use. You most likely won’t be able to get a hold of Porsche Piwis unless you are an auto repair shop.

6. Durametric Diagnostic Tool for Porsche

The Durametric is a great tool for Porsche mechanics. Durametric Diagnostic Software is an alternative to the Porsche dealer scanner. It provides in-depth troubleshooting and has great model coverage. The Durametric costs several hundred dollars. It also requires a laptop to run.

Conclusion

While you can diagnose Porsche’s check engine light with a standard OBD-II scanner, you can not diagnose airbags, transmission, and other systems without a scanner that can read Porsche’s specific fault codes.

Suppose you are a Porsche owner looking for a dealer-level scanner. In that case, you will get functionality similar to the YOUCANIC Full System scanner, which provides in-depth diagnostics and works on 20+ European, Asian, and domestic vehicles. Currently, we do not support control unit programming if you replace a control unit, but that functionality may be added in the future.

For those on a tight budget looking for a good Porsche OBD2 scanner that offers multi-system diagnostics, iCarsoft POR II is a great choice.

If you are looking for an alternative to Porsche PIWIS, Durametric diagnostic software is the best choice, especially for Porsche mechanics and repair shops. The scanners in this list work on most 1996 and newer Porsches, such as Porsche 996, 997, 911, Boxter, Cayenne, and 993.

Before you purchase a Porsche OBD2 scanner, you should always check system coverage for your particular Porsche model and year.

We hope you find the list of Best OBD2 Scanners for Porsche guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Porsche.

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