"I have seen the light"

derfo · derfo's Garage

Had my 02 Boxer S for just over a month now. Thought I would give it a bit of a thrash down the bypass on the way home, took it up to 6,500 in three gears, nice. I stood on the brakes for the roundabout (I think you Americans call it a road circle) and settled down for a nice lazy drive the rest of the way home. Don't know when it happened but" THE LIGHT "came on at some point after the thrash, I would say about 2 miles after. It is stable not flashing, car runs just as smooth and responsive as ever, no noticeable difference at all, in fact later on this evening I had to go out again so I gave it some more, only for a few seconds though and it was fine, tick over steady too, just as when I bought it. Has anyone any idea what could have happened?
I had a look in Wayne's book (haven't got any diagnostic equipment yet). From what I read, it could be a dirty MAF, it could have given a reading of not enough air at high rpm to the system making the light come on. Very soon I am doing a big service on the car so I will have a look at the MAF then. Maybe after a clean and 20 secs disconnection from the battery the light will go out and not come on again. Am I on the right track or have I added things up wrong? I am new to Porsche especially such a high tech car, but I want to get to know it well. Help me if you can, any comments appreciated.
Derfo

thstone · 06-09-2011, 05:53 PM

The best place to start is to read out the error code associated with the Check Engine Light (CEL). You'll need an OBD-II electronic reader to do this. They are relatively affordable and available almost anywhere auto parts are sold. Some autoparts stores in the US (e.g. Autozone) will read out the codes for free but I'm not sure about the UK.

Read out the codes and then post then here and someone (many!) will offer suggestions on the likely cause and fix.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Where in the UK are you located? If he is not to far away from you I would drive over to see Dominic at Specialist Vehicle Preparations - Home

He should be able to see you sorted in no time. Say Kroggers sent you

newlife · newlife's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by derfo

Had my 02 Boxer S for just over a month now. Thought I would give it a bit of a thrash down the bypass on the way home, took it up to 6,500 in three gears, nice. I stood on the brakes for the roundabout (I think you Americans call it a road circle) and settled down for a nice lazy drive the rest of the way home. Don't know when it happened but" THE LIGHT "came on at some point after the thrash, I would say about 2 miles after. It is stable not flashing, car runs just as smooth and responsive as ever, no noticeable difference at all, in fact later on this evening I had to go out again so I gave it some more, only for a few seconds though and it was fine, tick over steady too, just as when I bought it. Has anyone any idea what could have happened?
I had a look in Wayne's book (haven't got any diagnostic equipment yet). From what I read, it could be a dirty MAF, it could have given a reading of not enough air at high rpm to the system making the light come on. Very soon I am doing a big service on the car so I will have a look at the MAF then. Maybe after a clean and 20 secs disconnection from the battery the light will go out and not come on again. Am I on the right track or have I added things up wrong? I am new to Porsche especially such a high tech car, but I want to get to know it well. Help me if you can, any comments appreciated.
Derfo

Hi Derfo,

What gears were you in @ 6500 rpm?

Rod

derfo · derfo's Garage

Hi Rod
2nd, 3rd and 4th, in fourth it was proberbly more like 6,2 or 3 as I was running out of tarmac before the roundabout. By the way I just tried out what Wayne said in his book about disconecting the battery for 20 secs. I did this and tried it and sure enough the light was not on afterwards, I just let the car tic over and reved it a little and the light stayed off. The service is priority now as I have just today received most of what I need to do it. Next question Rod.

pastagreyhound · 06-10-2011, 03:11 PM

Don't worry, we call them roundabouts here, too. We have quite a few popping up now and Americans are losing their minds! Well, in the Nashville area at least. Hope you get your problem sorted!

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by derfo

Hi Rod
2nd, 3rd and 4th, in fourth it was proberbly more like 6,2 or 3 as I was running out of tarmac before the roundabout. By the way I just tried out what Wayne said in his book about disconecting the battery for 20 secs. I did this and tried it and sure enough the light was not on afterwards, I just let the car tic over and reved it a little and the light stayed off. The service is priority now as I have just today received most of what I need to do it. Next question Rod.

Glad my tip worked there, but be prepared as the light has a high probability of returning at some time in the near future.

-Wayne

newlife · newlife's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by derfo

Hi Rod
2nd, 3rd and 4th, in fourth it was proberbly more like 6,2 or 3 as I was running out of tarmac before the roundabout. By the way I just tried out what Wayne said in his book about disconecting the battery for 20 secs. I did this and tried it and sure enough the light was not on afterwards, I just let the car tic over and reved it a little and the light stayed off. The service is priority now as I have just today received most of what I need to do it. Next question Rod.

Hi Derfo,

I would get a code reader and find out if it is stored in the DME computer. Like Wayne hinted to... the CEL may show up again. And I think they do get stored in the computer until the problem is solved . I havn't yet purchased the Durametric, but Mike told me about a code reader you can get at the shop for about $50.00 $ I purchased one and its been helpful.

Rod