Check Engine Light
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 2
From: Newport Beach, Ca.
Check Engine Light
Ok....just got my first CEL on my 996 C4....It came a day after the 15K service on my new engine, so I am suspecting its something they did at the dealer....Its still under warranty so I'll take it back in the morning and see whats going on. The car drives perfectly, no power loss, sounds fine, all gauges look good. Is there a problem with driving it to the dealer? Any ideas?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Just my own opinion, there are a lot more knowledgeable people on here...
If the car is still under warranty the dealer can tell you how to handle it, no problem. If it's out of warranty you might want to invest $100-200 for one of the many diag/code capture tools available. It will tell you what the problem is (and reset the light) and you can then decide if it is bad enough to call a tow truck.
Check your vital fluids, look for leaks, listen for strange engine noises, check your brake action and watch your temperature... its a tough call but but if you haven't had any previous problems then most likely the techs just knocked a wire loose somewhere, like on an 02 sensor or something. Be safe.
If the car is still under warranty the dealer can tell you how to handle it, no problem. If it's out of warranty you might want to invest $100-200 for one of the many diag/code capture tools available. It will tell you what the problem is (and reset the light) and you can then decide if it is bad enough to call a tow truck.
Check your vital fluids, look for leaks, listen for strange engine noises, check your brake action and watch your temperature... its a tough call but but if you haven't had any previous problems then most likely the techs just knocked a wire loose somewhere, like on an 02 sensor or something. Be safe.
Last edited by vette67; Oct 24, 2005 at 12:39 AM. Reason: typo
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis, IN
Newport,
The owner's manual for my '04 states that it is "usually driveable and will not require towing" but to see the dealer as soon as possible. It also says that if the light is flashing, "severe catalytic converter damage and power loss will soon occur."
FWIW, when I experienced a CEL on my Audi S4, the dealer told me it would be OK to drive for a day or two as long as the light wasn't flashing.
A call to the dealer before driving is probably a good idea.
Good luck!
The owner's manual for my '04 states that it is "usually driveable and will not require towing" but to see the dealer as soon as possible. It also says that if the light is flashing, "severe catalytic converter damage and power loss will soon occur."
FWIW, when I experienced a CEL on my Audi S4, the dealer told me it would be OK to drive for a day or two as long as the light wasn't flashing.
A call to the dealer before driving is probably a good idea.
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 2
From: LA LA land
It can be as simple as the gas cap is loose or as complicated as the EVAP canister valve is faulty -- with the MAF/O2 sensors and vacuum leaks in between. My car has had 2 CEL events. 1st was a loose bracket on the gas filling tube breaking the vacuum seal. And the second being the EVAP canister valve -- this one is still being worked on at the dealer since last week. They have to drop the gas tank to replace this part, which means dropping the front suspension member, and requiring a front wheel alignment after everything is done. Part is on order and should arrive this Monday (I hope).
Sorry for venting but it has been painful not being able to drive my car for 10 days now -- and stuck with a boring Toyota Camry rental for now... So consider yourself lucky if it is not this EVAP thingy that's gone wrong... And you should be OK driving to dealer as long as it is not flashing.
Sorry for venting but it has been painful not being able to drive my car for 10 days now -- and stuck with a boring Toyota Camry rental for now... So consider yourself lucky if it is not this EVAP thingy that's gone wrong... And you should be OK driving to dealer as long as it is not flashing.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 19
From: New York, NY
My bet is that it's an MAF fault. I had those frequently in my old Porsche and it was such a hassle. The CEL became such an annoyance. Of course, it could also be an outgas/exhaust filter sensor that checks for higher emissions as per environmental concerns. From my experience, that last error has absolutely no impact on driveability and just tells the mechanic that you are polluting a bit more than you should. Mechanics often suggest a $400 O2 sensor/filter replacement. Such a joke.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 2
From: LA LA land
YES!... my car is BACK!.... Life is good!... CEL is gone!... Back to business and enjoying what a P-car is all about... I'll be travelling through Big Sur later this week and that will make it all good!
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