Boxster 986 2003 Engine warning light

[JT4743]

Brand new to owning a Porsche. I picked up the little beauty this morning, and drove 190 miles home. Most of the journey was a 70 on the motorway. Really enjoyed it. Got home, and about half an hour later went for a little drive down the road, nothing fancy. The Check Engine warning light came on, not blinking, but solid!! I drove home and plugged a code reader in. It said P0420 Generic code. Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1. I cleared the code. and repeated the journey. No light came on. Should I be worried.
Ive looked at other threads, but not seen anything that seems just like this. Apologies if this is a dumb question.

 

[Lancerlot]

You need to post this in the Boxster forum to obtain relevant responses.
Regards,

Clive

 

[tscaptain]

Moved

 

[M40WST]

This is your catalytic converter. I had the same code through up shortly after fitting my sports cats, the code was cleared and I haven't had it since. So it could be nothing, in my case the car is likely getting used to have 200 cell cats. As for yours it could be a one of, it could be the 02 Sensors that go into the cats or could be the cats themselves.

If you've driven for a good period since clearing and it hasn't come up again then fingers crossed all ok.

 

[JT4743]

Thank you, that makes sense. I have driven quite a bit since I cleared the code, and it hasn't re-appeared.
Additionally, the previous owner had put a new back box on the exhaust system recently as the old one was perforated. It isn't a standard one, but a sports box. So hopefully that's cause of the problem. I really wouldn't like the first thing I have to do on the car is replace the cat.

 

[Motorhead]

John,

If you're getting a generic code I guess that you're just using a standard OBD2 diagnostic reader? If you're able to use a Porsche-specific reader (PIWIS or equivalent) it should be able to home into the problem more accurately.

Most probably the problem is lambda sensor related, but there are sensors on both banks and I'm not sure that your reader will be able to distinguish between them whereas a Porsche-specific reader can. Bank 1 is on the RHS.

Jeff

 

[JT4743]

Thanks for that Jeff.
Yes, the tool I'm using is a generic code reader.
I've had a look online, and see a plethora of tools that manufacturers say is exactly what I need. As a user of said tools, do you have a recommendation?
Cheers
John

 

[Motorhead]

John,

The Durametric tester is probably one of the best tools, but it's very expensive ( https://www.hickleys.com/diagnostics/durametric.php ).

The iCarsoft tester is I believe well thought of ( https://ljmcardiagnostics.co.uk/products/icarsoft-por-v2-0-porsche-professional-diagnostic-scan-tool ) and is more affordable. It might be worth speaking to them to see if it would be suitable for the issue on the 986.

Unfortunately I don't possess either of them, so can't give you a recommendation. The alternative would be to find a local Porsche Independent who'd probably be able to give you a definitive diagnosis for less than your outlay for a tester.

Jeff

 

[JT4743]

Thanks Jeff

I think I could get away with adding the iCarsoft product to my Christmas list, but the Durametric tester is probably a gift too far!.

John