99 boxster Need help ASAP! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Porsche_Baller · 03-05-2011, 07:18 AM

So my check engine light has been on for a wile. The car upon warmup would run very rich so I took it to get the trouble codes off of it. $85 later the guy told me that it was the O2 sensors on bank 1. Now I didn't know which one bank 1 was so I just replaced all 4 both before and after the cats. Figured wile I was down there I would change the oil also. So after doing all of this I disconnected the battery for a wile to reset the computer. Started the car up and NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT! BUT!! when I started going down the road the car started to spit and sputter. The check engine light started flashing and then went to a solid glow. So I took the car back to see what the code was this time. Much to my amazement it was multiple misfires in cylinder 1 and 2. And (go figure) O2 SENSOR ON BANK 1?!? WTF!! I just spent $760 replacing the o2 sensors! PLEASE HELP ME! this car is very quickly becoming a money pit!

RandallNeighbour · 03-05-2011, 12:57 PM

One cheap thing to try is cleaning your mass air fuel sensor (MAF). Research what guys have used on this forum and see if that fixes your problems. You'll still probably need someone to reset your computer thought to get that CE light turned off.

Don't drive the car if it's blinking. Solid on isn't too bad, but driving it when it's blinking can cause damage to your motor.

The next thing you should try if that doesn't work is pulling a spark plug and having a look at it. If it's burned you should replace all your plugs.

Hope this helps.

PS - If you don't have a couple of grand a year to put into your boxster for repairs the first couple of years of ownership, it's probably not the right time to own the car. Sorry to say this, but old boxsters like yours and mine are plagued with maintenance issues that are costly, even if you do the repairs yourself like I do. Check out my web site for all my repairs... it will help you see what lies ahead for you.

mikefocke · 03-05-2011, 02:05 PM

Instead of throwing parts at the problem, buy a code reader for $60, read the codes, post them here and someone will give you a list of the probable causes.

Did you buy Porsche or Bosch parts for the 4 sensors or use some other brand? Replace with same part #?

Your mechanic took you...there is very very little chance you needed to replace all 4 sensors and any muffler shop could do one for you for about $50 in labor and a $140 part that was the exactly correct part. Or it is easy to do yourself and there are online instructions. If that was what the code really said.

Now what is this code?

Porsche_Baller · 03-05-2011, 02:29 PM

Thank you guys for all the input. A couple of months back I replaced the MAF sensor :\ I did the O2 sensors myself the $700 was for all 4 sensors and the 2 diagnostic test I had done to it... I really don't know what to do. I love my boxster I've always wanted a porsche and got this one from my cousin for $7500 so it was a steal but with me just starting out and being on an EMT's salary of a huge $8.60 hr. I'm starting to question if I shouldn't just sell the dang thing. :ah: I'll go to the parts place and get the codes when I get off my 24 hr shift tmr and write down the codes for y'all I just hope we can find something.

P.S. Yes the both the MAF and the O2 sensors were BOSH.

JAAY · 03-05-2011, 05:05 PM

Mass air sensor - new
O2 sensors - new
Miss fires still happening - coil packs are next. About 250 for all four I think. Also do the spark plug tubes and o rings and spark plugs.

Just what I would do next. I know it all sux to do but after all is done you should have a reliable Porsche.

Porsche_Baller · 03-05-2011, 06:05 PM

Do you need to change the coil packs everytime you do a tuneup? Because I replaced mine prolly a year ago. Now for the park plugs yeah those prolly do need to be changed because last time I changed those I was changing the coil packs. Lol
Not 2 mention the O2 code is still on...

john330 · 03-05-2011, 06:31 PM

No you don't have to change the coil packs everytime you do a tuneup.
I only replace them when they go bad. I am not sure what their normal resistance is, but you can check them with a regular multimeter.

Did you clear the O2 code with a obd reader?

Topless · 03-05-2011, 06:36 PM

Error codes first, clear diagnostic discussion second, change parts last.

This is by far the quickest and least expensive way to keep your car in good running condition.

Porsche_Baller · 03-05-2011, 07:02 PM

No I didn't clear the codes with the tool I just disconnected the Batt for 15 or so mins.
Topless you kindof confused me on you last post. I see why the codes would come first. But why replace the parts last and clear the codes 2nd? Wouldn't you get the codes, replace the parts, then clear the codes???

jcorporal · 05-13-2012, 06:03 PM

Porsche_Baller - did replacing the AOS solve your problem? I have a '99 Boxster and am getting similar fault codes. I also have a slight oil leak that looks like it's coming from the area of the AOS.