2006 Cayman S Check Engine Light

[spk99]

I just picked up my new/used 2006 Cayman S two days ago. I filled it up with gas today (did two days ago as well) and about 7-10 miles later the Check Engine Light came on. Shortly after that the Central Warning Light (red exclamation mark next to the CEL light) came on, and the info message said "Check Engine". Guess that was obvious.

I went to two AutoZone stores and they hooked up the CS to their OBD2 (pardon me, but I am new to Porsche and all this stuff) scanner. Both times they thought the device registered something, but when they connected the device to their computer in the store there were No Fault Codes found.

I drove by the Porsche dealer to see if they could find a code, but being Christmas eve they were already closed.

The car had a pre-purchase inspection done at a Porsche dealer, and they did find and repair a fault code, having to do with some charcoal gas vent / canister (evap). That was repaired and the car checked out with no codes.

Can anybody comment on this? Would it be possible to trigger the CEL without the car registering and storing a code? Do the AutoZone OBD2 scanners (Innova was the brand) work on a Porsche (I heard there are primary and extended codes (car specific))? Could the car be issuing a special Porsche code that is not even able to be recorded by the OBD2 scanner?

I appreciate any help and suggestions you can provide. So far my Christmas present is not feeling like a good one.

Thanks!

Edited December 24, 2015 by spk99

[Ahsai]

Check the gas cap and see if the o-ring has cracks on it and make sure the cap is tight. I think it's likely the autozone scanner not up to task. If the CEL is on, a generic scanner should be able to retrieve some codes.

It's best to bring it to the dealer who repaired the evap issue. All repair done by dealer should have warranty. They could also retrieve more codes than a gemeric scanner can.

[spk99]

Thanks!  I did as you suggested when I got home.  The cap o-ring looks like new.  I also wiped the o-ring and the gas tank where the o-ring is seated to ensure there was no dampness, oil, etc. that would impact the seal.  The CEL light is still on, so I guess the dealer has to check it and reset the CEL.

 

Unfortunately the dealer that did the repair is 160 miles away, but he said the work would be warranted by another dealer (I presume at their cost).

[Ahsai]

Maybe you can try a different autozone store to get it read again. That way, you have some idea what you are dealing with before you bring it to a new dealer. I can magine warranty someone else's work can be tricky.

[wizard]

I've found that owning a Durametric is the second best investment to owning the car itself. It certainly avoids a great deal of inconvenience and potentially expensive guess work. There was a used one for sale on here a couple of weeks ago IIRC.

 

It might be an idea. 

[spk99]

I found the solution, at least for me.  We were having really wet weather in Atlanta, so I bought a can of gas dryer at AutoZone, put it in, and within 10 miles the light turned off.

 

I've also read that certain brands don't work well in a Porsche.  My experience was with BP, so I am not inclined to buy that brand again.  I'll stick with Shell, which the former owner was using.

[Ahsai]

That's interesting so basically it's bad gas.