System Fault... A few questions... & Update
10-13-2009, 10:41 PM
#16
Instructor
Thread Starter
I have provided updates to my earlier post (in red in the original post) based on my information and experience. If anybody else has anything to add then please do so.
04-12-2011, 12:27 PM
#17
Well, I am afraid I am now a new victim of the defective Front Control unit. In my case, it happened while vacuuming the front cooling tunnels, leading to the radiators. After doing so, I heard a grinding noise coming from the front of the car. I quickly discovered that it was the emergency release motor to open the trunk lid.
My car is a 2006 C4S and I beleive it was built around October 2005.
Other side effects are: Taillights and License plate lights are on all the time, day or night. When activating the turn lights, the tail lights will go off, and come back as soon as you are done with the blinker.
I had to remove the front spoiler to stop the noise of coffee grinder, that happens even with the car parked and ignition off. Very annoying and frankly ridiculous from a car manufacturer.
I called my dealer in Cary NC, and was told I was looking at $500 upward unless I had an extended warranty, which I do not have (having bought a used car).
This is the kind of things that makes you wish you had spent your money on a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord instead.
I think I will write to Porsche America to express my frustration with their lousily designed electronics.
Yves
My car is a 2006 C4S and I beleive it was built around October 2005.
Other side effects are: Taillights and License plate lights are on all the time, day or night. When activating the turn lights, the tail lights will go off, and come back as soon as you are done with the blinker.
I had to remove the front spoiler to stop the noise of coffee grinder, that happens even with the car parked and ignition off. Very annoying and frankly ridiculous from a car manufacturer.
I called my dealer in Cary NC, and was told I was looking at $500 upward unless I had an extended warranty, which I do not have (having bought a used car).
This is the kind of things that makes you wish you had spent your money on a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord instead.
I think I will write to Porsche America to express my frustration with their lousily designed electronics.
Yves
04-12-2011, 07:45 PM
#18
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Well, I am afraid I am now a new victim of the defective Front Control unit. In my case, it happened while vacuuming the front cooling tunnels, leading to the radiators. After doing so, I heard a grinding noise coming from the front of the car. I quickly discovered that it was the emergency release motor to open the trunk lid.
My car is a 2006 C4S and I beleive it was built around October 2005.
Other side effects are: Taillights and License plate lights are on all the time, day or night. When activating the turn lights, the tail lights will go off, and come back as soon as you are done with the blinker.
I had to remove the front spoiler to stop the noise of coffee grinder, that happens even with the car parked and ignition off. Very annoying and frankly ridiculous from a car manufacturer.
I called my dealer in Cary NC, and was told I was looking at $500 upward unless I had an extended warranty, which I do not have (having bought a used car).
This is the kind of things that makes you wish you had spent your money on a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord instead.
I think I will write to Porsche America to express my frustration with their lousily designed electronics.
Yves
My car is a 2006 C4S and I beleive it was built around October 2005.
Other side effects are: Taillights and License plate lights are on all the time, day or night. When activating the turn lights, the tail lights will go off, and come back as soon as you are done with the blinker.
I had to remove the front spoiler to stop the noise of coffee grinder, that happens even with the car parked and ignition off. Very annoying and frankly ridiculous from a car manufacturer.
I called my dealer in Cary NC, and was told I was looking at $500 upward unless I had an extended warranty, which I do not have (having bought a used car).
This is the kind of things that makes you wish you had spent your money on a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord instead.
I think I will write to Porsche America to express my frustration with their lousily designed electronics.
Yves
I'll swap with you.... even up!
04-13-2011, 10:43 AM
#19
Tim,
I know what you mean. I rode in a Honda Accord once and never found a duller car. It is simply a board with 4 wheels. Maybe the 6 Cylinders version is more exciting, but I agree with you, nothing beats a Porsche.
I had a blast this morning with it and can live (at least for a while) with a defective front control module.
It is just disappointing that Porsche cannot hire good electronic engineers or select good parts from other vendors. This kind of gremlins does not have its place on a $100K car.
Yves
I know what you mean. I rode in a Honda Accord once and never found a duller car. It is simply a board with 4 wheels. Maybe the 6 Cylinders version is more exciting, but I agree with you, nothing beats a Porsche.
I had a blast this morning with it and can live (at least for a while) with a defective front control module.
It is just disappointing that Porsche cannot hire good electronic engineers or select good parts from other vendors. This kind of gremlins does not have its place on a $100K car.
Yves
04-13-2011, 11:38 AM
#20
By the way, for those of you who have replaced this unit:
Does it require some kind of re-programming when installed on the car, or will it run straight out of the box/bag?
Just curious as I would love to skip the expensive Dealer intervention.
Thanks
Yves
Does it require some kind of re-programming when installed on the car, or will it run straight out of the box/bag?
Just curious as I would love to skip the expensive Dealer intervention.
Thanks
Yves
05-17-2011, 02:02 PM
#22
Advanced
But from my first discussion with the dealer, this front control unit is not on warranty (I have a CPO until 2013).
UPDATE :
The dealer changed the FCU and it was indeed covered by my CPO including all charges. So i'm very happy about this and I can confirm that it is the same part number as was indicated at the beginning of this thread - Front Control Unit Module : 99761010511 and the original part number was 99761010505.
Finally, I can confirm that the mechanic also said that the car was totally safe to drive as this unit has no "direct" link with engine/transmission components.
Thanks for all the great information guys, great team work!
Last edited by deijmaster; 05-17-2011 at 06:17 PM.
05-17-2011, 02:19 PM
#23
Deijmaster,
By the way I never took my car to the dealer. Instead I bought the Durametric tool (enthusiast version for $300) and performed a global reset after confirming according to the diagnostics that the Front End Module needed to be replaced.
Miracle: After the global reset, communications with the front end module resumed, rear lights went off and all is Hunky Dory again.
I suspect Porsche dealer have only one thing in their minds: replace as many parts as possible and charge you as much as they can.
The best $300 I have ever spent.
Yves
By the way I never took my car to the dealer. Instead I bought the Durametric tool (enthusiast version for $300) and performed a global reset after confirming according to the diagnostics that the Front End Module needed to be replaced.
Miracle: After the global reset, communications with the front end module resumed, rear lights went off and all is Hunky Dory again.
I suspect Porsche dealer have only one thing in their minds: replace as many parts as possible and charge you as much as they can.
The best $300 I have ever spent.
Yves
05-17-2011, 03:22 PM
#24
Advanced
I'm so not suprised by this... I will go with that kit and make sure I stay curious 'cause dealers always want to change components and this is not always for the best, play with this break that, etc.
One more sale for durametric!
One more sale for durametric!
05-17-2011, 04:22 PM
#25
Drifting
I don't see how a flawed design isn't covered under a warranty. A control unit that breaks as a result of normal, non-destructive life (ie you didn't dig into the unit, fiddle with its connectors, etc) is a bad design and should be replaced by a redesigned part by the manufacturer. If not, then whole product is crappy. Is Porsche building crappy cars?
05-17-2011, 04:29 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
plus any car has as much 'soul' as much time and work and $ you put into it.
