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CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 7:07 pm
by 32wildbilly
Started car today, backed out of garage, waited for air pump to shut off and drove gently off. After @ four blocks never above 35mph nor above 3,000rpm. Stopped at stop light, pulled away on green still gently then about two blocks further the chime goes off, CEL is on and cpu says "drive to service facility" or something like that. Oil pressure normal, water temp(still low), no unusual noises noted and charging just under 14v...all normal for this car. Stopped to turn left and go back home when warnings go off. Went straight @ another half block and same warning-same gauge results. Turned left to go home and everything went off. Drove the nine or so blocks back home without further excitement. Parked in garage, jumped out everything sounds and smells normal at idle including my shorts. Don't have none of them there fancy check'n thangs! Checked with the on-board displayed which said no errors saved(or something similar).

Opinions?

Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 9:32 pm
by Dr_Strangelove
From what I understand - a flashing CEL is indicative of a misfire. Definitely don't drive the car until you can have codes read. The manual states that if the CEL is flashing you may damage the cats. I don't have any first hand experience with these issues, but from what I have read, the coils and/or plugs are easy culprits to visually inspect. I'm sure others will have some wisdom. Here's the snippet from the manual in the time being.


EDIT: I remember we chatted about rich-smelling oil. It was suggested to me that I should check my fuel injectors. Perhaps you should do the same.


703524d1360950620-flashing-check-engine-light-drawing1-small-2-.jpg
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Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 10:49 pm
by Kalashnikov
Buy a cheap universal Obd 2 scanner online or at autozone. If CEL flashed and went off, it will be stored in your obd memory.

Without knowing your exact code, there is no way of knowing what could have triggered it.

Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 11:33 pm
by EPiK
I think he means that the CEL flashed on twice, meaning it came on 2 different times.

The main reason that a flashing CEL/misfire would cause damage is if there is a misfire, then that cylinders fuel is not being burned and is injected right into the cat substrate. Raw fuel on that material will melt and plug it up in a hot minute.

I don't think that is your problem though..

You don't even need to buy the OBD2 checker.. you can drive up to any major autoparts chain Autozone, Advance, O'Reillys, Pep Boys and they will scan it for free and give you a print out of the code(s).

Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 4:39 am
by 32wildbilly
Thanks guys. Guess I'll go buy a code reader. Epic is correct the CEL came on two separate times not a constant flashing. I did check the owners manual and reviewed the Bentley book so guessed I would need a reader. Exactly what does the "check" function that displays below the tach, internal to the car for and/or show, as mine said nothing?

Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 6:37 am
by B3DAWG
"Errr, uhh... Hello Boss", exclaimed Bonzo

"Hallo", said Dr. Wolfgang Porsche

"Yea, uh, Wolf Doctor, I mean... ugh...Sorry! Dr. Porsche... this is Bonzo down in the ECU programming department", winced Bonzo

"Spuck es aus, Bonzo", shouts Dr. Porsche

"Yes, I'm sooooo happy to let you know that I just received another ping from an old 996 C4S over in Nebraska", said Bonzo

"The programming and cell data transmitter is working perfectly and should bring thousands back into the company", Bonzo proudly exclaims

"Vetty good, my little professor programmer friend", said Dr. Porsche

"What should we do next?", asks Bonzo

"Vet us juz zit back and vatch zea fruits of vour labor", states Dr. Porsche

"Oh oh oh, I get it... just watch'm drive up to the dealerships in the thousands?? Like what we did with the keyfobs and immobilizers? Brillant! Just so you know, to insure he comes back to only Porsche, I'm programmed the ECU to only give limit data on those silly aftermarket scan tools if the owner tries to pull a fast one on us. And, the CEL in the car is designed to keep blinking on and off until it annoys the hell outta the owner. hahahah... Ooooo I just love my job Wolfman... I mean Wolfgang. ekkk... Dr. Porsche"

Dr. Porsche hangs up.

"I guess that means he is happy???", shrugs Bonzo
monkey2_porschetech.jpg
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Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 7:08 am
by 32wildbilly
b3freak wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 6:37 am "Errr, uhh... Hello Boss", exclaimed Bonzo

"Hallo", said Dr. Wolfgang Porsche

"Yea, uh, Wolf Doctor, I mean... ugh...Sorry! Dr. Porsche... this is Bonzo down in the ECU programming department", winced Bonzo

"Spuck es aus, Bonzo", shouts Dr. Porsche

"Yes, I'm sooooo happy to let you know that I just received another ping from an old 996 C4S over in Nebraska", said Bonzo

"The programming and cell data transmitter is working perfectly and should bring thousands back into the company", Bonzo proudly exclaims

"Vetty good, my little professor programmer friend", said Dr. Porsche

"What should we do next?", asks Bonzo

"Vet us juz zit back and vatch zea fruits of vour labor", states Dr. Porsche

"Oh oh oh, I get it... just watch'm drive up to the dealerships in the thousands?? Like what we did with the keyfobs and immobilizers? Brillant! Just so you know, to insure he comes back to only Porsche, I'm programmed the ECU to only give limit data on those silly aftermarket scan tools if the owner tries to pull a fast one on us. And, the CEL in the car is designed to keep blinking on and off until it annoys the hell outta the owner. hahahah... Ooooo I just love my job Wolfman... I mean Wolfgang. ekkk... Dr. Porsche"

Dr. Porsche hangs up.

"I guess that means he is happy???", shrugs Bonzo

monkey2_porschetech.jpg
B3: I am seriously concerned about your thought patterns, sometimes! :lol: Do you really "work" for a living because you should be a writer or on-stage entertainer ala Robin Williams!

Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 10:38 am
by Dr_Strangelove
32wildbilly wrote: Tue May 15, 2018 4:39 am Epic is correct the CEL came on two separate times not a constant flashing.
Oh in that case it can be stupid stuff. Is your gas cap on tight? Did you put the oil cap on crooked after your oil change?

Being able to read codes is always a good thing in this situation but a solid CEL is less menacing than a flashing one.

Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 11:10 am
by gnat
I don't want to say coils, but my money is on coils. ;)

Inconsistent CELs is a common sign of one or more bad coils. It mostly comes out when water or high humidity is involved, but our's got uppity during some super dry weather.

A code scanner will confirm or refute.

Re: CEL Flashed twice

Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 11:30 am
by FRUNKenstein
Billy:
I have the older version (AL-619) of this one, Autel AL-629:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073RDY1PX/re ... merReviews

Free same-day delivery from Amazon prime for $142.95. In addition to check engine, it also does ABS, SRS and transmission codes. Unlike Durametric or VAGCOM, it works on all makes/models (just in case you own other brands of cars).