Rdrcr

Well, I’ve just completed my 1,700 mile journey in my ’99 996 over the last few days. With only 10 miles to my destination I felt the engine stumble and stutter which was immediately followed by a flashing CEL and then a steady CEL. When this happened I quickly pulled the car over so I can inspect the engine. Nothing appeared wrong. No smoking. No leaking. Nothing.

I realize this was probably very unwise but since I was stuck on a two-lane canyon road, I decided to re-start the car and very very carefully drive/limp to my destination, which I did.

The car feels like it has a misfire and isn’t running on all cylinders. To keep the car from stalling and shutting off, I had to keep it in low gears and maintain roughly 3-4k rpms. Furthermore, the engine doesn’t seem to be responding to throttle inputs reliably. All instrumentation reads good, except for the CEL and engine behavior. Any ideas? Vacuum leak?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Rdrcr

Perhaps it is worth mentioning...the car was running fantastic 99% of the drive.
I was getting over 370 miles per tank (with a couple gallons left to spare) and 26+MPG.

Mike

wildbilly32

Get the code read and that will send you in the proper direction.

Rdrcr

^^^^
I have scanners but, unfortunately, I don't have those tools...or any of my tools, with me.
Quite frustrating!

Mike

lowpue

go to o'reilly's ...they loan out a scanner for free. Good luck!

Rdrcr

Good idea. I'll have to research which auto parts stores are in the area since I'm not too familiar with this part of Washington state.

Mike

808Bill

Don't drive it until you get the codes read. You don't want to cause any unnecessary damage.

Rdrcr

No, agreed!

I wasn't planning to and I'm not driving the car back to CA. It will be staying here in Washington. I'll be moving here next month (at least I'll have tools here soon, lol).

Mike

Barn996

As mentioned, get the CEL code and share with us so you can at least have an idea what is going on.

wyovino

I hope it's something simple like a coil or coil wire. And for the future, pick up a cheap Bluetooth or WiFi code reader and keep it in the car.

Rdrcr

Will do. I'll report back as soon as I can read the codes. If I can't get access to a code reader here, I'll be back in WA in a couple weeks.

Me too!!!

I have two code readers. One, is in my Mercedes. The other, in my tool box. And both, are in CA. I'll be putting the reader that's in the Merc, in the Porsche for now on.

Mike

fpb111

Was it raining?

Rdrcr

^^^^
No rain. Slightly cloudy.
Surprisingly, I only hit rain in Utah.

Mike

mharrison

Any update on this Rdrcr?

Rdrcr

Soon. I'll have an update on the codes this Friday/Saturday.

The car is in Washington and I'm on my way there tomorrow...with TOOLS!!!

Mike