Stalled, Check Engine Light Flashed - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

KevinH1990 · 07-03-2006, 08:15 PM

I was driving my 2000 Boxster with 32k on it home from work. The car stalled after I had driven about a half mile. I was driving about 35 mph in third gear.

I restarted the car and drove a few more miles - I was about half way up an on ramp to I-95 when the Check Engine Light started to flash. I turned off the car and coasted to a stop. Because I was in an awkward location, I restarted the car to move it to a safer spot. It drove fine and the CEL stayed off. So I decided to drive it home. I didn't have any other problems after the car reached full operating temperature.

Here is some additional information:

1. It was extremely hot and humid. I estimate it was 95 F and 95% humidity. About 10 minutes later, it started raining.

2. I filled the car with gas about two miles from work at about 7:30 am when it was still relatively cool.

3. I know I'm about 2k miles overdue for a spark plug change. (The interval on a 2000 is 30k. It's 60k on later cars, so I thought a few thousand miles wouldn't make a differenc.)

4. The car didn't overheat, and no other warning lights came on.

5. Just before it stalled and just before the CEL came on, the car seemed to hesitate.

I probably won't have much luck finding a Porsche specialist open tomorrow to check the car out. Any thoughts on what is happening? Any advice? It is possible that an auto parts store could check the OBD code? Where is the connector for the code reader?

Thanks in advance.

blinkwatt · 07-04-2006, 11:32 AM

I dont think a OBD II reader can pull up a previous code that has disappeared. I would watch it though because a flashing CEL means the engine is being harmed,if memory serves me right.

insite · 07-04-2006, 08:05 PM

i've seen a MAF in a GT2 go like this. cruising, stall, MIL light, hesitation. unplug the MAF an see how the car runs. also try to pull the codes.

BTW, flashing MIL means that the gases passing through the catalytic converter could potentially explode and destroy the cats. best to not drive it if the MIL flashes.

also very possible that you got some crappy gas w/ too much water / ethanol / whatever summer garbage they mix in our fun juice these days. if it's running ok, i wouldn't stress, but i'd still hook a scanner to it to see if anything looks fishy.