Obd Codes

[lordfarler]

:help: Hi there, I just stumbled accross this site looking for information on fault codes. I had a friend who checked my car out with a new computer and instructed me that the fault codes that showed up on my check engine light were a P0410 and a P1411. The latter being a secondary air unit? I called my local Porsche dealer and they were not able to tell me what the codes are and wanted me to bring in the vehicle to determine what is wrong! I know that the vehicle has a problem sometimes starting on the first crank, especially if there is not alot of fuel in the car and also if the car has been run for a while. It takes several cranks and a bit of playing with the throttle to start it. Can anyone help identify my problem ?

[Tool Pants]

The OBDII book says the same thing. Secondary air injection pump not triggered or or not working. So, the DME thinks something is wrong and you get the light. It is an emissions issue.

I am not the OBDII or electrical guy - when smog pumps first came out we removed them as they were belt driven back then and put plugs in the exhaust manifold. :o So, maybe someone here can help you or search here under those fault code numbers.

On the Boxster it is an electrical air pump. It makes a turbine sound on the passenger side when you start a cold car- then goes off when the cats are heated. Do you hear the pump come on when you start the car?

[lordfarler]

Thanks for the reply. Yes the sound is heard upon first starting the car and when I had one of my mechanics at my work reset the light, it stayed off for about a day and a half then came back on.

My biggest problem right now is wondering if I am doing any long term damage by driving the car with the light constantly on?

[mrmickeymouse]

Secondary air pump is probably related to the air pump to aid in it's process. I am not familiar with it, I will read about it and get back to you. [being redundant on Tool Pants last comment]

The fan you hear in the morning is the fan which cools the oil cooler. I have never seen this fan for myself, but that is what I have read. The reason you hear it in the morning or anytime upon start up is because the vehicle is Posting [Power On Self Test].

It is the computer [ECU] going through basic checks, in order to maintain the engine.

Consider your Boxster an F-16 equivalent [stretching a bit], without a computer you don't fly, Boxsters fly, I know I do... :lol:

[Loren]

Secondary air pump is probably related to the air pump to aid in it's process. I am not familiar with it, I will read about it and get back to you. [being redundant on Tool Pants last comment]

The fan you hear in the morning is the fan which cools the oil cooler. I have never seen this fan for myself, but that is what I have read. The reason you hear it in the morning or anytime upon start up is because the vehicle is Posting [Power On Self Test].

It is the computer [ECU] going through basic checks, in order to maintain the engine.

Consider your Boxster an F-16 equivalent [stretching a bit], without a computer you don't fly, Boxsters fly, I know I do...  :lol:

Not quite...

The Secondary Air Pump IS the emissions pump. It's function is to improve emissions and to heat the three-way catalytic converter (TWC) faster, the secondary air injection pump is activated after the engine is started when cold, thus blowing secondary air behind the exhaust valves. If the engine temperature at start-up is less than -10 °C , the secondary air injection pump is disabled until the engine temperature has reached more than 44 °C . If the engine is started in a temperature range between -10 °C and 60 °C , the secondary air injection system is activated for a time depending on the start-up temperature. The secondary air injection system is deactivated under the following conditions:

Engine load > 4.5 ms

Air mass > 300 kg/h

Engine speed > 3800 rpm

[mrmickeymouse]

The secondary emisions pump is the "Air Pump"; if it is secondary, what is the primary air pump. [Not trying to be wise guy - just curious]

The vehicle must POST in order to get a base value. All computer systems POST in one fashion or another.

This would initiate fault codes if not found to be within specs.

It seems the OBDII would analyze the electrical system, since everything is electrical run [almost]. OBDII [bIOS] is then the go between for the ECU and the sensors oil, water, voltage etc...

My fan will activate approximately 10 min after running [engine compartment] [my belief to be posting].

Does the secondary air pump have an electrical clutch, so it would pump as you have described, or does it just pop off and blow by when not needed.

If it like all of the other air pumps, it is on all of the time and the A/F is changed to compensate for the air being injected [O2 sensor's].

How is this done "The secondary air injection system is deactivated ", if it is direct drive.

Thanks,

Scott

[Loren]

The term "secondary air pump" is really referring to "secondary air" pump.

The OBDII/DME provide the following (for US cars) - Oxygen sensing plus post catalyst sensing (4 sensors) 3-way catalytic converter system with one cascade catalyst both left + right (with two metal supports) secondary air system. Purely for exhaust system emissions monitoring.

The DME performs a self-test each time you turn the key as do several other control systems within the car. Besides ODBII engine codes the car can also produce error codes for transmission problems (Tiptronic), PSM, and ABS.

The secondary air turns on only when the sensors sense that it needs additional air to meet emission standards. So this is normally during warmup and occasionally after high speed driving and coming down to idle (like at a stop light).

The secondary air pump is electric so it just turns on and off on demand. There is also a solenoid valve, air change-over valve, non-return valve and vacuum reservoir in that emissions circuit.

[lordfarler]

Hi Loren, thank you for that information. Hopefully I have enough ammo in which to go into the dealer and solve my problem. The starting is becoming more difficult and requires several cranks on the starter. I also need to get the vehicle smogged this year in California, so I am guessing I have an emissions problem?

I also plan on putting a different exhaust system on the car, probably the gemballa back end. Will I need to make adjustments to the emissions if i do that?

signed by,

one real neophite to mechanics :drive:

[Loren]

I also plan on putting a different exhaust system on the car, probably the gemballa back end. Will I need to make adjustments to the emissions if i do that?

Not as long as you keep the cats and oxygen sensors.

[lordfarler]

Hi Guys I just thought I would add a note to say thanks for the help. turned ouot my Mass air flow senser was contaminated and that it was an inherant problem, especially in very wet conditions. Also my hose was completely deteriorated, which was causing the codes to pop up. By replacing the hose to the MAF It cured the engine light and the starting problem.

[porschafrk]

Hi Loren, thank you for that information. Hopefully I have enough ammo in which to go into the dealer and solve my problem. The starting is becoming more difficult and requires several cranks on the starter. I also need to get the vehicle smogged this year in California, so I am guessing I have an emissions problem?

Hey Lordfarler,

I am having the same problem with my Boxster, so what was the conclusion to all the testing done on your car. I am going through the same things you did, if you have any info it will be very helpful.

Thanks

Nick