check engine light

[Fungirl]

Hi while driving my 2002 986 boxster the check engine light came on and stayed on does this spell disaster please help a damsel in distress !!

[particlewave]

You need to have the code read with a scan tool. Could be anything.
Many auto parts stores will do it for free.

[paulofto]

A steady CEL means check the engine soon so get it to someone with the proper code reader for diagnostics. If the CEL is flashing, do not drive the car. A flashing CEL means their is something potentially serious going on.

[SteelStroke]

Autozone, Advance Auto, Checker Auto, etc. will scan it for free. (I have a CEL with a P0420 and not worried about it).

[algiorda]

If she is in Oxford, UK, I don't think they have those named auto parts stores????

[geraintthomas]

Basically, the light is just telling you that something isn't quite right. It may be as simple as an exhaust sensor that had a hissy fit and gave off weird values, and is now back to normal, or it could be telling you there's a misfire, etc. Usually it's something really simple, but the code will tell you exactly what's going on - so no need to panic.

I'm in the UK. Your first option is to get a garage to do it. Halfords do a diagnostics check, but it's £50. A lot of places will try to charge, but your best bet is to try and ring around and see if you can get it done for free.

The second option is the easiest. Buy a WiFi OBD2 adapter on Ebay (about £10) and download an OBD app to your phone and read the code yourself (OBD Fusion for iOS, or Torque for Android) The adapter plugs into the diagnostics port of your car in the footwell, you connect your phones WiFi to the adapter (like you would to your internet in your house), launch the app and the code will pop up. You'll also have the ability to clear the app too. Really easy

When I bought the car, I had an error code telling me one of the lambda (oxygen) sensors on the exhaust was reading way too much air. I looked at the sensor just underneath the back of the car and it was loose - tightened it up, cleared the code myself with the app, and all has been fine since.

So yeah. Don't panic, get someone to read the code or do it yourself for cheap

[tlc356]

Before you get somebody to read the fault codes check the basics, and
good luck. TLC

[njbray]

Funny thing happened to me on Saturday.
I drove out of the driveway and up the road about 100 yards - forgot my phone so did a u turn back down the hill and all of a sudden car runs rough and engine light flashes for about 3 seconds - then it's fine. Checked with OBDII and no codes and car runs perfect!
I check filler cap, oil cap and all OK.
Any ideas?

[Cbonilla]

Originally Posted by njbray

Funny thing happened to me on Saturday.
I drove out of the driveway and up the road about 100 yards - forgot my phone so did a u turn back down the hill and all of a sudden car runs rough and engine light flashes for about 3 seconds - then it's fine. Checked with OBDII and no codes and car runs perfect!
I check filler cap, oil cap and all OK.
Any ideas?

Had a similar event with my 2003 996S. Wrote it off as a piece of dirt making its way through the fuel system and injectors. Never recurred and I never came up with a better explanation.

FYI, the CEL flashes quite brightly in a dark car at night

[NewArt]

Originally Posted by njbray

Funny thing happened to me on Saturday.
I drove out of the driveway and up the road about 100 yards - forgot my phone so did a u turn back down the hill and all of a sudden car runs rough and engine light flashes for about 3 seconds - then it's fine. Checked with OBDII and no codes and car runs perfect!
I check filler cap, oil cap and all OK.
Any ideas?

Track guys know that occasionally after a hard turn, you might get a smoke bomb, often accompanied by a flashing cel and sometimes throwing a code for a misfire and something about damaging cats and all. Seems odd on the street after a u-turn but if your oil level was quite high, it is a possibility.

[geraintthomas]

I didn't think a normal CEL could turn itself off unless it was cleared? That's why I said to check it but I could be completely wrong there!

[Xpit77]

Do European cars have SAI ?

[NewArt]

A cel will clear itself if the condition is no longer present. The related code will still be there though.