Check Engine Lite

Guys, It's been two weeks since I last drove my 03 C4S therefore I decided to take it out for a spin after dinner. I soon as I started the car, check engine came on. My car is barely over 16k miles and factory warranty just expired last November. What are the possibilities: Airmass sensor, O2 sensor??? I'll take it to the dealer this coming Sat.

It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap......check that out. If it is loose, keep in mind that it will take a while for the light to come off.....several cycles of turning the car on and off....can take days. But if it's loose....that's the culprit. Good luck, J

I don't think so, I have not gas up the car for a while!!!

anything is a guess with out fault codes

Is there a rattle coming from the exhaust. When your cats go, the ceramic honey comb will break apart and rattle, also will set off the check engine light.

Get yourself to a local Harbor Freight store, and buy an ODBII scanner - it'll be you friend for your P-Car and any other vehicles you own. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94169 Use this to capture the fault codes and post the results here. You'll get diagnosis - and be able to make the call yourself on what to do next. The scanner will also allow you to reset a CEL if you experience an annoying but 'random' CEL. Pays for itself in about 10 mins!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR INPUT, I'LL LET YOU GUYS KNOW AFTER I VISIT THE DEALER

Some auto places like Autozone will run a quick OBD check and give you the codes for free. Dealer may charge for this.

Guys As promised to get back to you regarding my check engine lite!!!! I took it to Newport Beach Porsche paid $132 for diag and they told me I ran on low fuel??? I told the tech I still have 1/2 tank full how can the car feel it's low fuel?? The tech explained sometimes the pressure sensor in the fuel neck which desiged to stop the nozzle from the gas pump when it senses tank is full. Therefore he advised me to try fill up the car after leaving the dealer and if the car allows me to fill up rather then stopping the gas pump then this is probabily just a one time eletrical glitch??? If not allowing to fill up then the siller neck pressure sensor needs to be repalced. I was able to fill up I am wondering if any of you ever had this issue?? Thanks

that doesnt make any sense at all,

Those guys fleeced you for $132 (which you could have spent on an OBDII reader) and fed you a line. Ask them for the codes that they read. Many of us here (if you give us the codes) can do for you for free what those guys failed to do for $132.

+1 on that! This would have been a cheaper option, and be useful for any future issues... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ct...temnumber=94169 Go get one today as a Father's Day gift to yourself

Sounds strange to me! I once ran out of gas completely and had no CEL, so hard to believe that low fuel triggers a CEL.

As I said - they fed him a line. What they said was bogus.

is possible to throw a cel on low fuel usually p0300 and some p030x's

Closeout at Amazon for $73 http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9135-...2110173&sr=8-2 Another alternative for $50 http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9125-...2110173&sr=8-1 Or another for $88 http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9175-...2110173&sr=8-4 ...and enough left over for a few beers of your choice.

had my light come on and the exhaust was rattling....replaced the cat...something had come loose...all good now....agree with jumpers comment..

Does the CEL ever come out for oil change intervals? Mine just lit up on the way home from F1 today - not cool.

Thanks for all your feedback, I'll definitely consider getting a OBD reader!!!! I was able to fill up the car after I left the dealer and lite still has not come back on on which is good. I am wondering if me not driving the car often has to be part of it. Sometimes I don't get to drive it for two weeks. And sometimes I only drive around the block which is less then 10 miles???

You are killing your car if you let it sit for two weeks and then only drive it around the block. Unless you are going to really drive it and warm it up all the way, it would be better to let it sit.

Get and OBD II reader and join renlist.org.they have a complete list of the codes for members Copy the codes for your specific model and keep them and the reader in the trunk. If you throw a code on the road you can look it up and decide to schedule a serviice $$ apt or just erase the code and see if it comes back on!!

I think you meant Renn tech .org?

NO

Today while driving into work I had my engine light come too. Just turned pass 60K on my 99 C4, car runs fine. Checked the gas cap it was tight. if i buy a reader where is the plugin?

996 C4S- I think that you car is mad at you for letting it sit for a few weeks. The check engine light was its way of letting you know that you should drive it more. RAC- the plug is on the drivers side near the fuse panel. It is between the fuse panel and the steering column. It is purple.

Down by your left leg. Should look something like a printer port. Do pick up a cheap code reader - a must have when trying to figure out what is going on.

I guess that I wasn't very clear when I said between the fuse panel and the steering column. Maybe a better explanation would be- just below where your left knee would hit if you were in an accident.

Thank you everyone. I'll head out and pick one up over lunch. Will get back with you then with the codes.

This is a great thread. I've been meaning to get a code reader adn this reminded me why. I just bought the $49 Actron CP9125 - and I got $30 off by signing up for an Amazon Visa card. Such a deal.

ok ... I had codes P1128 and P1130 looks like it might be a MAF going on its way out. What is the cost on a MAF? anyone have a diagram?

Try cleaning the MAFS with electrical contact cleaner before replacement

yes will do that first.

Actually, you can buy MAFS cleaner now. Formulated for less residual. I got it at Advance Auto Parts.

Since electronics cleaner has NO residue, the MAF cleaner cannot have less.

im not a chemical engineerb ut i would bet maf cleaner is electronic cleaner with a 4$ additive

Not a $4 but about a $1.50 more I got some. Says right on the can "PROVEN to gain 4-10 Horsepower at the Wheels!" lol