CEL after 6 years

[derfo]

Just after I bought my Boxster S 6 years ago it through a CEL, a completely new arena for me. At the time I put the car on the ramps and found both os's on the cats were loose, I tightened them up and that solved the problem. Did the disconnect battery thing to get the light off.
6 years later, yesterday in fact the CEL came on. There is no noticeable difference to the running of the car. It always pulls like a train without hesitation and its no different now with the light on. At this point I might add that I do all my own maintenance of my car. Having said that I have steered away from diagnostic equipment and up to now have managed fine. I had the car on the ramps today and there is no loose os's and it sounds sound sweet underneath with the motor running and there is nothing i can visually see wrong.
I'm cornered now so two questions, is it worth asking what any of you guys think it could be? Also it seems like I am forced into considering purchasing a diagnostic tool, which one though, its not my area? I do want to continue doing "all" my own maintenance.

[ymkmkrz]

Durametric


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[NewArt]

Durametric is certainly a favourite, however others have supported other ob2 diagnostic tools which sell for less. Do a search. You'll probably find a variety of opinions.

[particlewave]

Just get a cheap OBDII reader.
No sense in randomly poking at things.

[mikefocke]

Don't know if any of the shops in the UK operate like some in the US loaning out an OBD2 reader in exchange for the chance to sell you something to fix the car. Without knowing the exact code, we'd be guessing.

[kirkandorules]

Seconding just getting a bluetooth ODB2 reader. Mine was $10 US on amazon. You can read the codes with any number of free apps, and then search on these forums for further info on what they mean.

Good luck, hope it's something simple - if the car feels totally fine, chances are pretty good that it is.

[Anker]

I very strongly recommend getting a reader that can read the Porsche-specific codes. There are a lot of things that can go wrong that won't be revealed with a generic OBDII reader, some of them can lead to catastrophic failure, like camshaft timing.

Obviously the best choice is Durametric, but there are readers in the $100 to $300 range that will read vendor-specific codes. I got one of those because I have both a Boxster and a Mercedes CLK 350 convertible and with this I can get away with one reader instead of two.

When you service the car it takes little effort to read all the codes and get a feel for the condition of the critical systems.

[derfo]

Thanks everybody for your comments and suggestions. I will try and post again when I get a bit further on.

[algiorda]

If a Durametric reader can only read Porsche vehicles, what do I use to read codes from my other vehicles in the family like my Miata, Dodge Caravan, Honda Civic? Do I need to have TWO code readers?

[Anker]

I have an Autel Maxidiag MD802 for my Boxster, Mercedes CLK 350 and Prius C. Just under $200. Very happy with it.

[Boxstard]

Originally Posted by Anker

I have an Autel Maxidiag MD802 for my Boxster, Mercedes CLK 350 and Prius C. Just under $200. Very happy with it.

I love my Autel, especially because it can read and reset ABS codes. I addressed the infamous seatbelt buckle/ corroded connector issue last year shortly after I bought the car and recently the clock spring gave up so replaced it and reset the light. Already paid for itself if I went to the stealership to get charged $175 hourly labor for 5 min work a few times.

[derfo]

Originally Posted by Anker

I have an Autel Maxidiag MD802 for my Boxster, Mercedes CLK 350 and Prius C. Just under $200. Very happy with it.

Hello Anker
Is your MD802 a 4 systems or all systems?

[Anker]

Originally Posted by derfo

Hello Anker
Is your MD802 a 4 systems or all systems?

It is lots of manufacturers, not just 4.

[derfo]

Originally Posted by Anker

It is lots of manufacturers, not just 4.

Hello Anker
On their website it says the MD802 can be purchased as a 4 system or all systems tool. This means systems on whatever car it is. The all systems tool is a little more expensive.

[Anker]

So I must have the all systems version.

[opus69]

Ideally Durametric is the best choice. I have a Durametric, another general purpose reader and a cheap blue tooth reader. The one I use the most is the cheap blue tooth reader w free software. At least you can read the codes as a starting point. If the cheap unit can't read or reset the code then you could look into Durametric. I have a vacuum leak code that pops up from time to time and when the CEL comes on it's easy to check if it is something more serious and a quick reset from cell phone.

[derfo]

Hello everyone

I know as some of you pointed out and from what I have read that the Durametric is probably the best after market tool for Porsche cars. Its Porsche specific I believe. The one I chose after reading about it (prompted by Ankers purchase) was the Autel MD802 all systems tool. I chose this in the end because it seems to cover so many vehicles as well as Porsche.

I tried it out the day after I got it and it found the fault right away. It read "P0139 sensor aging behind cat c bank 1". So it looks like I need a new 02 sensor on that side because the old one is tired.
This is early days I know but it seems simple to use up to now.

[derfo]

Hello everybody

I just thought I would post how things are going. I replaced the 02 sensor on the drivers side. In the manual for the Autel tool it says you can delete the codes, which then I assume the CE light goes off. That is what I was going to do when I got home from work. On the way home however the CE light went out itself. I suppose this tells me that the new sensor works and is communicating the right info to the DME.
My question would be then, does this happen to all repairs of sensors, is it best to wait for the light go out itself after the repair or replacement. Or doesn't it matter.
This is all very basic stuff I suppose to all those of you who have been using diagnostic tools for years, but to newbies like me, its a big learning curve.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by derfo

Hello everybody

I just thought I would post how things are going. I replaced the 02 sensor on the drivers side. In the manual for the Autel tool it says you can delete the codes, which then I assume the CE light goes off. That is what I was going to do when I got home from work. On the way home however the CE light went out itself. I suppose this tells me that the new sensor works and is communicating the right info to the DME.
My question would be then, does this happen to all repairs of sensors, is it best to wait for the light go out itself after the repair or replacement. Or doesn't it matter.
This is all very basic stuff I suppose to all those of you who have been using diagnostic tools for years, but to newbies like me, its a big learning curve.

Works with some MIL lights, but not all. Some have to be manually reset.

[derfo]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Works with some MIL lights, but not all. Some have to be manually reset.

Thanks JFP, I will bear that in mind. Is MIL an American abbreviation?