Engine check light on after service - thanks for your help

[jmaier]

Hi,

Today I tackled my first DIY service on a 2006 c2.

After the service the engine check light turned on, any help would be great!!! Here is exactly what I did:

- I wanted to check the spark plugs so removed 2 coils and 2 sp, I put them back on as they were clean. I plugged the coils back on, screwed them back on.
- changed oil and filter.
- change air filter, cleaned the Maf carefully with Maf cleaner without touching any component
- cleaned the inside of the throttle body as it was somewhat dirty. Dried it completely before putting it back on and changed the seal. Note that when I cleaned it I moved the internal part to clean thoroughly.
- topped off coolant

Thank you for your thoughts and tips!!!

Edited September 26, 2013 by jmaier

[Ahsai]

The fastest way is to read the error code(s) and go from there. You can always retrace what you unplugged and reseat them once more.

[jmaier]

Should I go to a dealer for that? I do not have a code reader.

Random question, could it be too much oil? I it in exactly what came out but when I check oil level it shows completely full which wasn't the case before!

Thank you.

[Mijostyn]

If the engine seems to run well just drive it a bit and it may reset itself. If it does't then you will have to plug it up to a PIWIS or Durametric to see what gives.

[jmaier]

I found out the code p2102. Explanation is "throttle actuator control motor circuit low". Probable cause is poor electrical connection or failed throttle actuator control motor.

I did remove the throttle body, cleaned it and moved the internal round part to clean thoroughly. Could I have wrecked the electrical motor by doing so? I triple checked the connector and it looks good, fits tight...

Thank you!!

[Ahsai]

I found out the code p2102. Explanation is "throttle actuator control motor circuit low". Probable cause is poor electrical connection or failed throttle actuator control motor.

I did remove the throttle body, cleaned it and moved the internal round part to clean thoroughly. Could I have wrecked the electrical motor by doing so? I triple checked the connector and it looks good, fits tight...

Thank you!!

Have you tried resetting it and see if it comes back? Like Mijo said, the code may clear itself later if no more fault is detected. I doubt you damaged anything unless you were really rough handling it, which I can't imagine.

[Mijostyn]

I would think if the throttle actuator control motor was not working correctly strange things would happen when you step on the gas. No ZOom. As Ahsai says, clear the code and see if it comes back.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Mijostyn

[jmaier]

Hi,

THank you for your suggestions, how do I reset the CEL light?

A few new elements: last night the cel light did not come on but this morning it came back. In addition, the idle is very rough so I tried on idle to disconnect the MAF sensor and then the idle was much smoother (CEL light still on with code mentioned above P2102, throttle body).

What I your thoughts, did I mess up the MAF? What about this code then?

[spiffyjiff]

maybe you confused the TB flap a little when you cleaned it? anyway, try "resetting" it by turning key to ignition but do not start (i.e. just keep foot off clutch when doing this) and let it stay there for a minute. hopefully you'll hear all sorts of things/sensors/actuators going thru their checking and resetting motions, etc. you may or may not want to disconnect/reconnect battery before trying it. can't hurt.

as far as resetting the code itself, you prob need a durametric for that. but i dont think that code will harm anything by not clearing it, as long as you fix the issue that keeps causing it.

[Ahsai]

You can use the same scanner thats used to read the code to clear it. I think I've read idle adaptation procedure before for 997 but not sure. I suppose your MAF can only go in one way to the air intake and cant be flipped?

[jmaier]

spiffyjiff, thank you! I read the following procedure to reset a throttle body, is anyone aware of it, does it work:

Turn ignition to on (switch position 1) for 60 seconds then off (switch position 3) for 5 seconds then back to switch position 1 (ignition on) for 15 seconds - during process you do not turn the switch to position 2 (start engine). After the last 15 second step key is returned to position 3. Here are the starter switch position steps: 1-3-1-3.

[jmaier]

Good morning,

I tried the throttle reset by leaving the ignition on 2 for about a minute. I did hear a lot of activity in the throttle body during that time. Unfortunately both the rough idle and cel light remain an issue.

[JFP in PA]

I found out the code p2102. Explanation is "throttle actuator control motor circuit low". Probable cause is poor electrical connection or failed throttle actuator control motor.

I did remove the throttle body, cleaned it and moved the internal round part to clean thoroughly. Could I have wrecked the electrical motor by doing so? I triple checked the connector and it looks good, fits tight...

Thank you!!

That is an odd code number, what type of scanner was used to obtain it?

[Loren]

P2102 Throttle valve adjusting unit – position deviation/control range

Possible fault causes:

- Throttle valve adjusting unit faulty

[jmaier]

I went to autozone to get this code. I do not have a durametric yet!

[JFP in PA]

I went to autozone to get this code. I do not have a durametric yet!

When you have access to the Durametric system, or another Porsche specific diagnostic system, recheck the code. We have been seeing more misdiagnosis of late due to strange codes from "Global" OBD II scanners.

[jmaier]

I just ordered my durametric!!! Can't wait to hook it up. In the meantime I will try to clean the maf again, reset the throttle, triple check all connections and report back!
Thank you!

[jmaier]

I just read that this could also be related to the ICV. Where is it located, is it part of the TB?

Should I clean it?

Thank you!!!!!

[jmaier]

I might be a bit slow but I'm trying to figure out whether there is an ICV in a 997.1? I can see it on the 996 engine but it seems that on the 997 the TB design and ICV is very different. I'm trying to prepare my todo list for the weekend :-)

[JFP in PA]

I might be a bit slow but I'm trying to figure out whether there is an ICV in a 997.1? I can see it on the 996 engine but it seems that on the 997 the TB design and ICV is very different. I'm trying to prepare my todo list for the weekend :-)

The reason you can't find it is that your car does not have one. On the later E-gas cars, which yours is one, the idle is controlled by the DME using the throttle servo motor to open or close the throttle blade slightly to control the idle. Earlier cars had a separate valve that performed this function.

[jmaier]

Thanks JFP, I'll work on this this weekend!!!

[jmaier]

So I spend time cleaning the maf again, I also double checked all connections to the body throttle, even cleaned the connectors with electronic cleaner. I unplugged the battery which reset the error code (I still don't have the durametric so I cannot confirm that the code was BT).

After doing so I started the car, went for a 30 minute drive (spirited) and the car ran perfectly. No error code, idle was smooth.

On Sunday I start the car, error code comes back on right away (I assume it's still p2102 but will validate as soon as the durametric is here) and IDLE is again choppy. When cold it's pretty bad then it get's better (quite perfect actually) then it gets bad again when hot. When it's bad rpm surges to 1500 and almost stalls.

If I disconnect the MAF the IDLE is better.

Any thought on what next step I should take?

[jmaier]

Update: I disconnected the MAF yesterday, car was hot, IDLE bad before disconnection. After disconnection the IDLE was way worse this time! I'm confused, there does not seem to be a pattern.

Any thought, anyone?

Thank you guys!

[Ahsai]

I would wait for the Durametric to arrive first. A lot more info it will offer.

BTW, are you sure the orientaion of the MAF is correct as in Fig 2 here?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-996-997-Carrera/27-FUEL-Mass_Air_Flow_Sensor/27-FUEL-Mass_Air_Flow_Sensor.htm

[jmaier]

Hi, so I received my durametric and have much info!

The car still idles very badly, especially when cold or after a spirited drive.

I have the following fault codes:

P1095: Air mass ahead of throttle valve

P2187 and P2189: o2 sensor adapt RKAT bank (1&2) range near idle: in this case limit exceeded

I have then again both P2187 and P2189 but with the message open circuit

In All cases I'm noticing the following:

STFT: +25 both banks

LTFT: -3 both banks

Any thoughts, ideas? Thank you all!!