My First Cel This Morning. I'm A Little Stressed!

[tolum]

Hi guys;

This morning I got my first CEL in my entire driver life. My car is a 2003, 2.7 Boxster

This morning, outdoor temp. was around 32F. Left my house. A minute after, I was in the middle of the morning trafic. Coolant temp. was just moving from cold. Car was at a complete stop at the red light when the CEL flashes for 5 seconds and desapear! I drove back to my house immediatly. I have an OBDII USB cable and have access to one free software that gave me the following BASIC infos:

Stored diagnostic trouble code: No trouble codes

Pending Diagnostic trouble codes: P017x (On two lines) & P030x (On 4 lines)

Those codes are not clear to me but for the P030x series, it looks like it is a misfire related code, but for the P017x series, I don't know??

So do you think I'm better to go to the nearest car parts an buy a cheap code reader? Also, what is the diference between Stored code and Pending codes?

Do I have to panic, or I can cool down!

Thanks to all!

Thierry

[Loren]

If you really what to diagnose and fix your Porsche buy the Durametric software to run on your laptop. Nothing else even comes close (unless you want to spend $4000 plus on Porsche tool).

[1schoir]

...

So do you think I'm better to go to the nearest car parts an buy a cheap code reader? Also, what is the diference between Stored code and Pending codes?

Do I have to panic, or I can cool down!

Don't panic! Just be aware that if the CEL is flashing, you should not be driving the car or you risk damaging the catalytic converters.

A number of things must happen before the CEL actually lights up. When the computer determines that a malfunction has occurred, it generates and stores a "pending" code but usually does not light the CEL at that point. If the same malfunction is detected again before the next driving cycle then the CEL will go on as a steady light and a fault code will be stored. If it's in a certain category of codes, the CEL will flash. If the malfunction is not detected by the end of the driving cycle, the “pending fault code” is erased.

Regards, Maurice.

[tolum]

Ok;

Start the car this morning. No flashing or full CEL. Did use my friend OBD2 code reader.

I got in PENDING TROUBLE CODES: P0171: Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1

What does it means? Do I need to do something?

Can I use my car?

Tks for your help

Thierry

Edited April 16, 2010 by tolum

[Loren]

P0171 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation, Idle Range, Bank 1 – Above Limit

Possible fault cause:

- Incorrect signal from MAF sensor

- Intake air system leaking

- Fuel pressure too low

- Volume supply of fuel pump too low

- Fuel injectors fouled

- PCV valve leaks

- Cap of oil filler neck not closed correctly or seal is damaged

Check the oil filler cap first as this common when someone puts it on crooked or loses the o-ring.

[kbrandsma]

Ok;

Start the car this morning. No flashing or full CEL. Did use my friend OBD2 code reader.

I got in PENDING TROUBLE CODES: P0171: Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1

What does it means? Do I need to do something?

Can I use my car?

Tks for your help

Thierry

It is OK to drive your car. You can drive your car with a CEL light on continuously as long as it is not flashing.

[tolum]

Thanks you all. I will leave the CEL pending and see if the system erase it by itself after a couple of hours running without the return of the same event or I will erase it and see.

Many thanks to all. My birthday is tomorrow, looks like a Durametric kit would be a nice 42 years old gift... Will see!

Have a good weekend.

Thierry

Edited April 17, 2010 by tolum