Flashing warning light above 250 temp reading - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

pteam · 07-18-2007, 04:47 PM

Ok I checked the "engine compartment blower fan" fuse, theres actually 2 of them. The main one a 15A was not broken down the middle but had a black burn mark on the one side which means the fuse is bad. So I replaced it. But the warning light is still on and flashing and the CEL light still on.

If this was the whole problem, and all that it needed was the fuse, will the CEL light and warning light still flash until reset by the dealer?

Do you think there is more to it than this since the lights are still on?

vipola · 07-19-2007, 05:57 AM

Usually, even if a problem is fixed, the CEL light will stay on for a few running cycle (a normal drive of the car)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pteam

Ok I checked the "engine compartment blower fan" fuse, theres actually 2 of them. The main one a 15A was not broken down the middle but had a black burn mark on the one side which means the fuse is bad. So I replaced it. But the warning light is still on and flashing and the CEL light still on.

If this was the whole problem, and all that it needed was the fuse, will the CEL light and warning light still flash until reset by the dealer?

Do you think there is more to it than this since the lights are still on?

pteam · 07-19-2007, 07:37 AM

P0117 Engine Temperature Sensor - Below Lower Limit . Was the code that came back. Anybody else experienced this? Could this also be a thermostat?

NickCats · 07-19-2007, 07:45 AM

pteam,

Hope this helps :

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=9335&hl=P0117

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5076&hl=P0117

Nick

vipola · 07-19-2007, 07:46 AM

Euh.. the Engine Temperature Sensor IS a thermostat? no ?

Topless · 07-19-2007, 07:56 AM

Sounds like just a broken wire to the temp sensor or a bad sensor. Once you find and fix the problem you still have to clear the error code to clear the CEL. I am more worried about coolant on the ground than a bad sensor. Are you sure it is coolant and not just AC condensate? Where is it coming from exactly?

pteam · 07-19-2007, 08:13 AM

OK well its gonna cost me at least $400 , $200 for the tow and my warranty $200 deductable.

Yes it was coolant on the ground, it looks like it came from the overflow tank, and there was a very small amount around the coolant cap in the trunk.

The local parts store have no parts at all for a porsche boxster, so I'd probably have to order it online if I wanted to and wait for those to get here. The Porsche dealer said that that code could be from the engine just reading or reading low coolant (which it doesnt have, its 2 inches from the top) or a slight overheat. So I'm just gonna have it towed to them and they can fix it. It could be a thermostat which could still be very likely or the actual engine temp sensor but neither I can get locally and would have to order and I could replace both and that might still not fix it.

We could have cleared the code ourselves, and ordered the parts but do I order a thermostat and and engine temp sensor then clear the code? Then it might still have not been the problem, so just gonna have it towed to the dealer.

P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit - Low Input (High Temp) A . A=MIL Triggered on first occurrence . Thats why the porsche dealer said it could have just been a high temperature reading. But the CEL came on after only running the car for 2 minutes at idle yesterday.

CJ_Boxster · 07-19-2007, 09:32 AM

I wouldnt read too far into that code because it means exactly what it is saying....P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit - Low Input, your coolant temp sensor sends a signal to your gauge and the computer that tells them what the actually coolant temp is. It just simply went bad, There no way it'll be the thermostat, If the thermostat went bad you would either have really high temps or normal temps but would take slightly longer than normal to reach normal operating temps.

So your gauge being pinned at below 100 and the overheat light being lit and the P0117 all point to the coolant temp sensor. They go out eventually and they are probably easy to replace yourself depending where on the block it is screwed into.

pteam · 07-19-2007, 10:40 AM

CJ thanks for helping!

When the flatbed towtruck came I drove it on up and smoke came out of the exhaust I only had it running for like a minute. I know its normal for a little bit of smoke to come out of the exhaust but this was definately more than normal. It smelled kind of like oil, and very rich.

Topless · 07-24-2007, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topless

Sounds like just a broken wire to the temp sensor or a bad sensor. Once you find and fix the problem you still have to clear the error code to clear the CEL. I am more worried about coolant on the ground than a bad sensor. Are you sure it is coolant and not just AC condensate? Where is it coming from exactly?

Bingo! Good to know it was something simple. Boxters don't go off road very well. I lost an under panel once in a little off track excursion. Dragged it around for a while until I was black flagged.

pteam · 07-24-2007, 07:35 PM

Ok got the car back today. Your not gonna belive this. But I'm 90% sure it was from a rabbit that must have chewed some wires!!!

Sheet from porsche says:

"Upon inspection found harness for eng coolant temp sensor chewed up causing guage problems. removed lower panel and repaird 2 wires noticed condensation around resovoir sealing cap replaced cap seal and test drove car guage operating to factory specs at this time"

We seen a rabbit at the campground run out from under the porsche, it probably went under the car to stay warm at night.

$250 + $200 tow.

Silly wabbit!

nola911 · 07-25-2007, 09:55 PM

Hahah, glad you're back in business and it wasn't something serious.

Oaktown 986 · 09-04-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pteam

Ok got the car back today. Your not gonna belive this. But I'm 90% sure it was from a rabbit that must have chewed some wires!!!

Sheet from porsche says:

"Upon inspection found harness for eng coolant temp sensor chewed up causing guage problems. removed lower panel and repaird 2 wires noticed condensation around resovoir sealing cap replaced cap seal and test drove car guage operating to factory specs at this time"

We seen a rabbit at the campground run out from under the porsche, it probably went under the car to stay warm at night.

$250 + $200 tow.

Silly wabbit!

This is why I love this forum.

Today I started my 986 up, and the temp light was flashing. I had more white smoke coming out of the exhaust than normal, and the temp guage was flashing, as it was for you. So, needing to get to work, I drove it anyway. It took far longer to warm up than usual, but made it to the office just fine (6 miles of heavy urban driving). I'm going to drive it 20 miles to my garage in Oakland and check it out, but it is probably also the temp sensor gauge for me too, yah? Only thing I've done that involves the cooling system is installed a new reservoir cap due to condensation from the factory unit.

Jon