Rob from NH 87 S4

Hi

I was driving along on the highway yesterday, and my ' ! ' illuminated on the dashboard. There were no specific warning indicators lit up on the dashboard whatsoever.

So, I pulled off the highway and after looking for some hint as to what the warning was, I could find none. I then pushed the [!] button on the center console to 'silence' the light. It went out, and never came back on. I drove home.

Please note: I am already planning to do the annual electrical maintenance that Wally P. posted on here a couple of weeks back on this coming Saturday.

When I spoke with my Porsche mechanic on the phone, he told me that he was surprised that the
' ! ' came on without a specific warning indicator, and he said that given the fact that everything is running smoothly, I should wait for it to come on again, and then we can try to diagnose.

So, my question is.. has this ever happened to anyone on here? If so, how did you diagnose it, and what was the actual problem?

How nervous should I be about driving the car? My car is very well maintained.

<img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Thanks in advance!

Jerry 87 928S4

My warning light only comes on in conjunction with a small light on the instrument panel. Since you can turn the !warning light off then it means it is not one of the major issues.

However, you probably have a burnt out bulb in your instrument panel. Turn the key on without starting and make sure they all light up. Read this stuff again in your owner's manual - it should help.

Rob from NH 87 S4

Hi Jerry,

I checked the owners manual and when I turn my key on, I can see ALL of the appropriate and expected warning lights.

Thanks

<img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />

delta250

I get that! It's alternator related. I can't cancel mine . But if I rev engine past certain point it goes away...mine is very predictable.

John Struthers

And how old is our O2 sensor?
Have you been noticing a minor/major idle glitch at yea old stop light? Has your ammeter been registering low particularly under load...lights, A/c, Monster Stereo operating to capacity.
My light went dormant after the O2 sensor change. Can't remember who advised/mentored me on this one, but, thanks again <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Greg86andahalf

I just had my warning panel loosened while working in the center console area. I noticed a wire with a bad solder connection on the back of the panel. It had fallen out. Quick solder fix.

Greg

michael

Rob -

The rear wiring harness in the S4 is very prone to corosion... once the resistance starts to increase you'll get the warning light coming on as the system *thinks* that a bulb in the rear has blown. Check and clean those grounds... if it persists, have the shop do a good inspection of the rear harness.

Rob from NH 87 S4

Michael... A week or so back, I changed out one of my rear tail lights, and I noticed the cup that held the bulb was quite corroded. I cleaned it, used bulb grease and installed the new bulb.

I didn't actually get a specific warning, but if what I have read here is true, then a corrosion problem could cause an uneven reading and the sensor to trip.

Also, I checked my idle - and everything is smooth and steady.. no monster stereo system unfortunately!

Thanks to everyone on here for their help.

Rob

Seth W

Ok, I had the EXACT same thing happen, but there were a lot of other symptoms. Namely, the clunking of my water pump as it completely tore itself apart and nearly took my timing belt with it. The timing belt light did NOT come on, neither did the temp light, even though they both worked, just the ! light. I really think everyone else is right on electrical, but just to be sure, ask yourself about that belt--I was 1/4" from a ruined engine and the car ran (albeit with a clunk).