Kinetech Motor Werkes advises that if your Porsche’s check engine light or CEL is flashing, you need to pull over to a safe spot immediately and turn off the engine. The CEL will flash if there is a severe problem in the engine that requires immediate attention. Do not drive your Porsche if the check engine light is flashing. Rather, have the sports car towed to our shop.
How the CEL Works
The CEL works in two ways. First, it flashes if there is a severe engine problem. Second, it turns on and remains on steadily if there is an issue in the engine that needs attention but is not necessarily severe. This does not mean, however, that you should ignore the CEL. Even if it is illuminated steadily, there is something wrong with your Porsche that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
The check engine light is turned on by the main computer chip in your Porsche. This chip, which is also called the engine control unit or ECU, receives information from system sensors the minute you fire up the Porsche and the entire time it is running. If a sensor reports a malfunction, the ECU will attempt to fix the problem. If it is unable to, it will turn on the check engine light or other associated light.
Why the CEL Illuminates
For example, if you are having a brake problem with the Porsche, the ECU will turn on the Brake light. The CEL covers engine problems that do not have dashboard warning lights or gauges of their own. One such problem is issues with the Porsche’s transmission. You do not have a transmission warning light on the dashboard, so the CEL is turned on by the engine control unit.
The check engine light will also turn on if
- The Porsche has a clogged catalytic converter
- The EVAP system is malfunctioning in the Porsche
- The engine control unit is malfunctioning
- The Porsche has a faulty MAF or O2 sensor
- The Porsche has a leaking vacuum hose
- The Porsche’s spark plugs are worn and misfiring
As you can see, the CEL turns on if there are other serious problems with the engine. This is why it is important that you bring your Porsche to our shop as soon as possible so we can run a diagnostic test to determine the reason for the illuminated CEL.
We are Kinetech Motor Werkes in Indian Trail, NC, and once we determine the cause of the CEL, we will fix it.
