993Maineiac

I was in NJ and drove a very nice C2 yesterday. Newly rebuilt engine and new clutch. Car was immaculate and the owner very good with the car. Not being a 911 (964) person yet, there were two items that I need feedback with. The shift mechanism (manual) could be raised up about an inch. Didn't affect the shifting which was nice and tight, but I'd never seen (or felt) that before-any ideas. The second thing was the exclamation point light (!) came on whenever the car was started. The owner said he had been told it was nothing and to ignore it. It did go off and stayed off when he hit the switch for it on the center console.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Less then 500 miles on a rebuilt engine from a good shop with all of the records. is a dream for me so be kind. I have to make a decision by tomorrow.

TIA

Al

adamsbr

Al,

I am not sure what you mean when you say the shift mechanisim could be raised about an inch. The 964 is designed so that if the driver is positioned properly, your hand can drop from the steering wheel directly on to the shifter and then rise back to the steering wheel with a minimum of movement (a bonus for high-speed driving). As for the "!" warning light, mine comes on when I start my car but turns off when I slip it into reverse and back out of the garage. I also have a fixed wing and have not yet jumped the pins to eliminate that pesky light while driving. The light is designed to come when any of the warning lights are activated but as you indicated, there is a button to turn it off.

Get a PPI before purchase and get as much information on the car's history. There are plenty of very nice 964's on the market. If you have a good one there are few pleasures as rewarding as this one. I absolutely love mine.

BGLeduc

Ignore it? I don't think so.

The light should come on when the car is started, and it should then go off when you begin moving forward (I think it says in the manual it shuts off at about 6 MPH).

If it stays on and has to be manually turned off, then something is wrong. If the master alarm light comes on, then there should be other lights on the dash that stay on as well...if not, then they are burnt out.

This could be serious, or it could be minor, but IMHO, warning lights that act up are to be taken seriously. Get a PPI done by a specialist, and have every warning light checked. I would bet even money that at least one light in the dash gas burnt out.

BGL

993Maineiac

Thanks for the response. In regards to the play in the shift-you could lift the lever and it could raise about an inch vertical. The car has been well taken care of and the other cars in the owners stable (Jag, BMW) were immaculate. Price is very good and a 0 time engine is a dream (if done right and this one has a great petigree).

I have never seen a shift lever that you could raise one inch though-obviously the answer is to leave it alone, but I wondered what secured it in the vertical plane.

Al

DaveK

I would be very careful about the warning light. The switch will always turn it out - whatever the source - but if no other lights come on at the same time, it's often because the "other" bulb has been removed. If I was you I would check very carefully which warning lights come on when you turn the ignition on (before you start the car). They should all be illuminated - but my guess is you will find one isn't, and that's probably the cause of the "!" warning light.

Failing this - I would want the car checked with a hammer to see what fault code has been logged.

One thing - when I say "all" the warning lights should be illuminated - there are some which are not used and will never illuminate, but it may be worth noting which ones do come on and posting them here - we should be able to tell you whether you are missing any then.

Jay H

Al:

I just went out to my 32,000 mile 964 and pulled up vertically on my shift lever. It moved maybe about 1 mm up, if that. No play. There must be something worn on this example you are looking at.

As all others have mentioned, definitely don't ignore this "!" light. Have that checked out if you are serious about this car. Electrical problems are expensive to correct on these cars.

Don't let your emmotions run the deal. Take your time and buy the right car.

Jay
90 964

garrett376

My shifter is like Jay's - moves about 1mm or so vertically.

As BGL said, there is a spoiler speed sensor warning light that goes on and stays on until you start moving forward - but that light does NOT involve the ugly exclamation mark warning light. You have something else lurking beneath! I think Dave's advice of looking for the missing bulb is the way to go! Get that checked out first by someone you trust.

993Maineiac

Thanks everyone-A PPI is a must!

Al

LouZ

I bought my '90 C2 with the same (!) light warning. This has been well discussed on this forum. The light comes on in conjunction with the "seat belt" and "airbag" lights on the clock gauge. There have been DIY's written on how to resolder the circuit board on the clock, then Hammer the computer. I pulled out the clock gauge and removed the 2 lights till I get around to fixing it, or replacing the gauge.

I am now in the habit of starting the car and acknowledging the (!), then putting it in gear.

BGLeduc

Excellent point that the spioler light does NOT trip the Master Warning...definetly something more serious here, and I do recall seeing discussion about the airbag kight related to problems with the speedo.

BGL

JW in Texas

Hey guys,
I believe on the '89 & '90 that the spoiler may be tied to the "!" light.(Adrian?) My car had a fixed wing installed by the PO. The "!"comes on when the car is started & must be cleared by the switch. It also came on when the wing was supposed to rise until I jumped the plug.

DaveK

At least on 90 cars, the "!" light is not tied to the spoiler - at least, not on startup.

When I start my car (assuming I've got the seatbelt on / handbrake off), then the only light on is the spoiler light - it doesn't cause the "!" light to come on. As soon as I move a few mph, the spoiler light goes out.

I guess it might be different if I did have a fault in the spoiler - then when I moved maybe the "!" light would come on.

Christer

I agree with Dave K and my car behaves exactly the same.

993Maineiac

Thanks to all who responded. Indeed the PPI revealed some serious issues that would need r&r. I'll keep looking for my 964-----

Al

eddychan

Dear Al,

Would you mind telling us about it. How can a newly rebuilt engine give you problem. I thought you knew that the warning light on is not a problem. So go on and let us know what could be the flaw?

Cheers!

Eddie