Tech session on scan tools and electronics at Gil Wistrup’s garage in Cazenovia NY

** THIS EVENT IS LIMITED TO 15 PEOPLE **

From Gil:

A modern Porsche is equipped with dozens of electronic systems that operate
and monitor almost every function of the vehicle. The engine, brakes, suspension, drive
train, climate control, body functions and entertainment are just a few components that
are controlled by a computer. A malfunction in any of these systems will illuminate a
warning light on the dash.

If one of these dreaded lights comes on, what should you do? Your owner’s
manual tells you to take your vehicle to the Porsche dealer. In many cases, this is
probably the best thing to do considering they have the latest electronic equipment to
diagnose the problem. If you are feeling adventurous and enjoy an electrical challenge,
you could try to diagnose and repair the problem yourself. You must know your
limitations because you can create problems that will cost you more than a trip to the
dealership if you don’t know what you are doing.

This tech session will cover basic electrical/electronic diagnosis and scan tool
diagnosis. Electronic diagnostic tools such as scan tools, DVOMs, power probes, amp
clamps, borescopes and lab scopes will be demonstrated. We will look at diagnostic
trouble codes (DTCs), scan data (PIDs), and perform bi-directional controls with a scan
tool. We will test circuit integrity (continuity and resistance), determine why a fuse
keeps blowing (short to ground), and figure out why the battery keeps going dead after
a few days (parasitic draw). For those who think electricity is as cool as I do, we can
look at some electrical signals with a lab scope.