06 boxster check engine light on--P2181

[leonpce]

Hi, everyone

I have a 2006 boxster (automatic with 56K miles on it). The check engine light came on yesterday. Autozone read the code: P2181 (cooling system performance malfunction). The car drives perfect. Coolant temp is just normal. I can not find any problem or abnormal noise. After the code came out, I checked the coolant level, it was do below min when hot. So I filled the coolant up to Max when hot (I can not wait till the coolant to cool down). Then I turned on the engine and drove for about 5 miles. The check engine light did not turn off.

Does anyone know what the problem really is? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot

[1schoir]

Hi, everyone

I have a 2006 boxster (automatic with 56K miles on it). The check engine light came on yesterday. Autozone read the code: P2181 (cooling system performance malfunction). The car drives perfect. Coolant temp is just normal. I can not find any problem or abnormal noise. After the code came out, I checked the coolant level, it was do below min when hot. So I filled the coolant up to Max when hot (I can not wait till the coolant to cool down). Then I turned on the engine and drove for about 5 miles. The check engine light did not turn off.

Does anyone know what the problem really is? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot

Now that you know what the code is, go back to Autozone and have them turn off the CEL so that you can monitor any new CEL, in case it comes back. If you don't want to go back to Autozone, you could just disconnect the battery for one minute and that will also turn off the CEL.

Regards, Maurice.

[leonpce]

Thanks, Maurice. Will do.

By the way, is it possible that the problem is caused by a failing thermostat? I remembered more than one month ago, the coolant temperature sensor light on board turned on with coolant temp gauge remain lowest all the time. But this problem disappeared after a couple of restarts.

Hi, everyone

I have a 2006 boxster (automatic with 56K miles on it). The check engine light came on yesterday. Autozone read the code: P2181 (cooling system performance malfunction). The car drives perfect. Coolant temp is just normal. I can not find any problem or abnormal noise. After the code came out, I checked the coolant level, it was do below min when hot. So I filled the coolant up to Max when hot (I can not wait till the coolant to cool down). Then I turned on the engine and drove for about 5 miles. The check engine light did not turn off.

Does anyone know what the problem really is? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot

Now that you know what the code is, go back to Autozone and have them turn off the CEL so that you can monitor any new CEL, in case it comes back. If you don't want to go back to Autozone, you could just disconnect the battery for one minute and that will also turn off the CEL.

Regards, Maurice.

Edited December 4, 2010 by leonpce

[leonpce]

cleared the code by disconettting the battery for one minute, CEL is gone

I have driven the car for more than 30 miles, still good.