Check engine light

Bob Hancock · 11-01-2020, 10:03 AM

2001 Boxster S with 59000 miles. Light is steady and not flashing. Borrowed an OBD II reader which shows Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) of P1411, secondary air injection system. Put new engine air filter and cleaned the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor with Sensor spray. Covers are still off the engine and I started the car but light doesn't go out. I don't have the reader now.
Do I need to drive the car to get the light to reset?
Do I need to get a reader of my own and reset the light like that?
Anything else I can check as a hobby mechanic before I take it to a pro which is not convenient to my location (Blairsville, GA)?

Thanks for any assistance. I am a long time Pelican fan on the BMW motorcycle side but new to the Porsche so really a newb.

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BYprodriver · BYprodriver's Garage

Secondary Air injection is supposed to inject clean air into the exhaust manifolds to make the air cleaner when it exits the exhaust system to reduce smog. It's common for the passages to get clogged up preventing air flow. They need to be removed to do a good cleaning so the SAI can do it's job

Bob Hancock · 11-01-2020, 01:27 PM

Can you point me to a procedure that accomplishes this?
Thanks.

Bob Hancock · 11-02-2020, 10:16 AM

OK....not much "how to" assistance so maybe here's an easy question as I move forward. DME code is P1411. "Secondary air injection system cyl. 4-6. I noticed that there is another code for cylinders 1-3, so at least knowing to look around 4-6 is some minor vector. But I'm not sure how the cylinders are numbered. I assume that 1-3 are the front 3 and 4-6 are the back three. Is #4 on the right closest to the secondary air injection pump, 5 and 6 being the most rearward?
Thanks.

mikefocke · 11-02-2020, 01:23 PM

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/what-side-is-bank-1

Search is your friend. P1411 is a common issue so there are lots of postings surrounding it.

DMadigan · 11-02-2020, 01:23 PM

You need to get a manual. The Bentley is alright, leaves some things to the imagination. No where near as good as the old Porsche factory manuals.
Read the rest of the code - short to ground / lean lower limit / lean mixture threshold
Otherwise you can be chasing the wrong problem.
Cylinders 1-3 on the right, 4-6 on the left. 3 and 6 are the most rearward.
The light will clear by itself after 5 (?) full warm up, driving cycles and complete cool off. Much easier to use an OBD reader to reset but you will have the "not ready" codes until the driving cycles complete.

Bob Hancock · 11-02-2020, 02:04 PM

Thanks guys. I have the Bentley and utube. I buttoned the car up today, the light is still on and the car drove brilliantly. So I guess 4 more driving cycles and all good.
And thanks for the basic info on which cylinders are which. I thought they switched aides but I guess not.
Now I gotta figure out how to get the heat to work. A/C is great, heat not so much.
I'll try to not ask questions that have already been discussed for years. On the bike side I know how annoying that can be to retype something that has been covered well. So I'll improve my search skills and try not to annoy too much.

9ELVNTT · 11-05-2020, 11:16 AM

I had a problem smogging my car with the CEL. Guy told me to get some catalytic converter cleaner and drive it for a couple hours. The light did go off.

Bob Hancock · 03-31-2021, 08:57 AM

Just a follow up after a professional looked at the car. Turns out that the vacuum reservoir was cracked and leaking and a rodent had bit through the wire leading to the knock sensor on one side. So fixing these two items got rid of the check engine light.
Lesson learned is to look for any sign of rodents in your car. Mine had been parked under a car cover for a year by previous owner which gave the mice a safe place to take up residence. I found other evidence in the cabin and engine air filters. So if you must park it, I understand that dryer towels are good to keep them away as are moth balls.