Question about CEL
 

Hey I hate to put up another CEL thread. I just replaced the spark plugs, fuel filter, oil filter, air filter, changed the oil and differential oil a few days ago. My mechanic told me that I have a very small oil leak coming from my oil pan but not serious enough to warrant fixing it right away. I am driving back home from the bar I watch football at this evening and my CEL started flashing for a few seconds and then it went away. It started flashing again as I pulled into my garage and then it stayed on. I know I have to get my mechanic back to plug in the diagnostic tool to see what code comes up but I was wondering if any of you might have an idea what might cause the CEL. All the work recently done was for the 90,000 service.

Thanks in advance!

Not sure if this will definetly work but I just went through the same drama with the blinking light. I found out that the coolant level was very low. Look and make sure that the coolant level is correct and the light should go away

Let me know if it works

A Flashing CEL is a bad thing. It is emissions related. It could be many things, but with the mileage on your car, it may well be that the O2 sensors are going Kaput (they're only rated for 100k mi. and can often fail prematurely).
(Since you didn't post the MY, but list changing the fuel filter, I assume that you have a pre-'00 Boxster w/ Motronic 5.2, as the fuel filter isn't a maintenance item on the later cars)

See if the codes you get are any of these:

P0134, P0138, P0139, P0159, P0140, P0150, P0151, P0152, P0154, P0156, P0157, P0158, P0160, P1102, P1107, P1105, P1110, P1115, P1119, P1117,
P1121, P1124, P1126, P1123, P1125, P1127, P1129, P1128, or P1130.

These are all the p-codes relating to O2 sensors.

Thanks Lilb and Joji!

I will check the coolant this morning. To see if that was the problem.

Sorry for leaving out the MY it is a 2000 base boxster. I did have my O2 sensors changed at about 50000 miles.