Brakes and Engine lights

[wsmcdowall]

Hello all. I had the weirdest thing happen in my '99 Boxster 5sp 2.5. Driving along and I get a whiff of brakes. No squeeling, just a smell. I notice at a stop, the car doesn't playfully rock as you feather the clutch. It's like the emergency brake is slightly engaged. ~ Here's the weird part ~ 10 miles in city driving, the car sputters and the CEL flashes for about 10 seconds and then stays on. Car then dies. (NOTE: NOT the brakes dash light....the CEL) I get out and check things as best I can. Brake smell is there. Oil and fluids are ok. I wait 15 minutes. Then...the car starts right up like nothing happened. There are no codes! I drove it the two blocks home. The brakes and rotors are about due....but not dangerously due... so I sent for them and will do them this weekend. I'm not driving until those are installed for sure.

Is there a fail-safe somewhere based on brake temp or somesuch that would shut the car down?

Thanks in advance!