Check Engine condition light

Clewsey · May 30, 2012

Hi all,

Got this tonight on my GenII 997 S when I put the car away after a long drive. The check engine light is continually on (not flashing). Porsche Assistance is booked for tomorrow morning but any ideas on if the symptoms below could be down to an emissions issue as the error suggests?

I suspected an issue yesterday. I'll try to explain the symptoms. On leaving home yesterday the car felt quite horrible in slower traffic. It seemed to be revving slightly higher at idle (1k or just above) and on moving off, revved much higher before getting going. On coming to a stop, it almost would gain more momentum before settling. The PDK system felt awful, never smooth. On the motorway, it was fine but once in slower traffic presented the same issue.

Same again this morning/evening in slow traffic but on the motorway, it was again smooth and responsive both in manual or automatic mode (all modes).

On reversing into the garage, the car felt rough, almost giving a vibration from the rear until stopping with a rise of revs with no throttle being applied. Then the light appeared for the first time and stayed on continuously. Cranking the engine results in the error being present. The car sounds rough (almost a rattle or vibrating sound from the right hand side of the engine bay).

Could this be an oxygen sensor or Cat issue and would it likely result with these kind of issues? One more thing which I noticed yesterday. More than likely not connected in any way but PCM had defaulted to showing distances in kms etc with different map views. Looks like it's reset itself? Anyone seen this before?

Cheers,
Simon

pboldmonts · May 30, 2012

I would suspect the High Pressure Fuel Pump - had it go on mine and that's almost a perfect description of the way mine behaved when it went. Fixed under warranty. I recall reading somewhere there may have been a subsequent recall for this on certain cars, but don't quote me on that. I am sure another, far more informed member than I, will be along shortly to offer their thoughts and comments.

Clewsey · May 30, 2012

Hi Peter, thanks for the reply. I've already had my fuel pump replaced as part of the recall. The symptoms I had that time was intermittent starting problems but no errors being presented.

Hopefully, Porsche Reading will be able to confirm the issue tomorrow but I hope no engine damage has been done. I've done over 500 miles over the last couple of days.

I'll see what the OPC says tomorrow.

Cheers,
Simon

s2rjn · May 30, 2012

could be a petrol problem?....when did you last fill her up?
I had those exact symtoms a couple of months ago....got a nice compo cheque from tesco too in the end

jonathanw · May 30, 2012

Simon

Have you recently topped the engine oil up?

I did this a few months ago and the following day my gen2 C2S engine light came on with a message to go to the OPC. I did and rather embarrisingly they told me that I had not tightened the oil filler cap properly and that was the cause of the engine light and the ruff idling etc etc. I had some other warranty work, a creaking front door so they sort of fixed that.

Only a thought!

Ekona · May 30, 2012

It's the fuel pump. Or rather, the other fuel pump. I've had two HPFPs and one LPFP replaced on mine so they can and do fail again.

Could also be something far more random, you don't have a TV tuner in the car by any chance?

Clewsey · May 30, 2012

Thanks everyone for coming back with suggestions/thoughts on this.

Today the OPC confirmed it's the fuel line actuator valve (or something to that effect). The symptoms I experienced were the result of it running extremely rich in slower moving traffic (hesitancy etc). It would also explain why I think my MPG of late has reduced somewhat.

Anyway, part will be fitted tomorrow and hopefully (fingers crossed) will be back to rude health! Anyone else had this one on theirs?

Cheers,
Simon

tscaptain · May 30, 2012

Not a pump then! Can you ask them what it does Simon? From a bit of Googling there seems to be a thing called a "Fuel Injection Electro-hydraulic Actuator Valve" (not exactly a snappy name) which appears to be a glorified fuel pressure regulator which, if was playing up, would certainly wreak havoc with the smooth running I guess! Don't think we've had one of those on the warranty thread yet.........

Clewsey · May 30, 2012

Will do. I did attempt today but didn't have much time to discuss it. Sounds like it's situated on the left-hand side of the engine bay near the exhaust.

I'll have them point it out explain when I'm there. Whilst these niggly annoying faults are steadily growing, at least having the extended warranty is paying off

Clewsey · Jun 8, 2012

I had the car delivered back to my house whilst I was working so didn't get a chance to have somebody at the OPC point out what was the cause.

However, it was a butterfly type valve thingy (I'm no engineer) which was stuck open causing the problem. It's part of the system controlling the emissions/fuel leanness. As it was stuck open, it was causing the engine to run too richly choking the engine at slower speeds.

Apparently it's found across both GEN1 and GEN2 997 and isn't a common "failure" so I was just unlucky I guess. Anyway, it's fine now and another pleasant experience with Reading OPC I'm pleased to report.

Cheers