elayne bray

We adopted our first Porsche 911. It's a one owner '88 Cabrio that is still in bone stock, mint condition.(57,000 miles) Our first trouble seems to be in the brake/cruise control electrical circuit. All the fuses look good in the trunk. The wires on the fuse block apear to be in good shape. I would think it was just a bulb, but there are seven bulps, not likely all the bulbes burned out in one day. The cover on the fuse box says brakes and cruise are together.
No lights, no cruise, no drive.... help me please.
I guess the $20,000 was just the down payment.

thank you,
Douglas and Elayne
Just off Route 66 in sunny So Cal

panchosouth

Doug
Try same-same fuse in correct slot from another location, fuse may look good but might be toast...did you have a PPI done? Dont start freaking out until you see tow trucks and mechanics following you around...now all you need to do is post pics of new family member..
Congrats and keep the faith
Frank

panchosouth

oops, sorry Elayne, didnt intend to leave you out! welcome etc etc !

elayne bray

thank you Frank,
We did, sort of...The mechanic offered me $28,000 and said it had a new top, new toyo tires, the original stereo and speekers, all new cluth work and oil system. I've taken it out six times in the two weeks i've had it. I warmed it up one night and jumped on the freeway.......zero to 145+ on the on ramp. I drove home and spent some time in front of my reef tank trying to relax. don't tell elayne it goes that fast..

I'll try the fuses.

thank you,
douglas

Edgy01

There may be in the 88 cars a little tricky switch under the pedal cluster (it was in slightly earlier cars) taht needs adjustment. It's a bear to get to. If always engaged the cruise control will think that the clutch pedal is in and thus it will never allow the tempostat (cruise) to work.

elayne bray

Thanks guys,

I tried the fuses and that didn't help. how do I get under the pedals? Where can i get "the book" on this kind of stuff. I'm gonna go looking some more.

thank you again,
douglas

elayne bray

ok, i drove out to performance products in hope of asking a fiew questions and picking up "the book". I some how left there without it. I removed the wood under the pedals looking for one little $65.00 part. back to busted knucles, cramped hands, and blood dripping all over everything. I'm going back for "the book"....I believe at this point that it may be the cruise control sending unit. the power should go to it befor it goes the the brakes sensor and the fuses and on to the lights. I just couldn't get a tester on it. It should have constant power. The center console comes out next. see you soon.

douglas

Oshin11

Hey there, welcome to the forum. A while ago I had my DME fried by my alternator, it also fried the cruise control but I am not certain of that. My brake light didnt work and my left arrow in the rear. My mechanic said that is why the cruise doesnt work. He fixed the brake and left arrow light, yet my cruise control still didnt work. I still havent fixed it and I dont really care much to fix it, its just cruise control. My car still runs like a champ and I guess if you live in LA like I do there is never an opportunity to use cruise control haha.

spence88mph

ahhhhh my brake lights and cruise just stopped working too, I did think it must be a faulty brake switch that would effect the cruise aswell, but then read these cars have a pressure switch. I'll have a good look this weekend.

PorscheMD

The brake lights have to work for the cruise to work. Your car does have pressure switches on the mastercylinder. If it is not the fuse or bulbs, I would put these in.

scottb

The switches are easy to replace, and you can get them at your local Autozone.

rscredon

Welcome to the forum. Must have books: Haynes auto maual, The used 911 story, and 101 Projects for your 911. I too am having trouble with my cruise control, but my brake lights work. Should I be looking at the pedal cluster also? Be sure to post pictures of your "adoption".

Amber Gramps

Wow, thanks guys. I went back and got the book, what a help!
First: i learned that the key has to be in "acc." or "on" for the stop lights to work.
second: the fuse does have power to and from it as my test light lights up now.
third: I can get my test light to come on at the switch on the master c., but had nobody to step on the pedal to test it beond that.
I'm beginning to think there is a short somewhere after the switch. I hope it is just the switch.
tonight I am going to bypass the switch and do something really bright, I'm gonna change all the bulbs.

Thanks everybody, especially the parts counter at performance,

douglas

elayne bray

guess what?! I have brake lights!!!!!!!!!!


Well, on my way home I stopped at pep boys and picked up a roll of 18ga. wire and a variety pack of terminals. I fabricated up a nice little jumper with six inches of wire and two male terminals. I went out to the car, turned on the key, pulled the terminal block off the switch on the master cylander, plugged in my jumper, and on went the brake lights. now I've gotta find an autozone with the switch. do i dare remove the one on the car and take it with me, or will the parts counter know what I am looking for? Will fluid spill out when I remove the switch? should I get one from the Porsche dealer in the morning? and last but not least, will this make everything right in the world again?
Yes i love this car more every day!

Thank you every one,
Douglas

elayne bray

auto zone is two blocks away and they have two of them...It's an $8.00 part.

bently book $130.00

wire/ terminal (micky mouse ) jumper $9.50

test light $3.39

time with my son, and the Porsche Priceless



douglas