Warning Light problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Bexleyheath, Kent
Warning Light problem
Hi
Following a couple of timely "Christmas Tree Effect" light shows over the holidays I now only get the PDAS, ABS and Alternator lamp on starting - the car appears to run fine and the indicator and headlight lamps are illuminating. I've checked all the fuses and they are o.k. I swapped out Relay 11 with the horn relay and I thought that had solved it when the I started the car last night but started the car this morning and the problem is back again.
Any ideas on troubleshooting this further would be greatly appreciated before I have to give in and call in a professional
Following a couple of timely "Christmas Tree Effect" light shows over the holidays I now only get the PDAS, ABS and Alternator lamp on starting - the car appears to run fine and the indicator and headlight lamps are illuminating. I've checked all the fuses and they are o.k. I swapped out Relay 11 with the horn relay and I thought that had solved it when the I started the car last night but started the car this morning and the problem is back again.
Any ideas on troubleshooting this further would be greatly appreciated before I have to give in and call in a professional
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 5
From: West Sussex
That sounds pretty much normal 
I bet if you start the car again anytime within a few hours the lights will go out almost immediately.
That's the high pressure hydraulics pumping up, it loses pressure after a while, if the pressure vessel is old or the pump motor is lazy or the alternator weak or earths dodgy it can take longer to pump up. Ideally it takes less than 40 secs, but it's not really a big deal if it takes a little longer.
If the pressure goes really low or it takes too long to pump up the gong will sound and the system will disable.
I bet if you start the car again anytime within a few hours the lights will go out almost immediately.
That's the high pressure hydraulics pumping up, it loses pressure after a while, if the pressure vessel is old or the pump motor is lazy or the alternator weak or earths dodgy it can take longer to pump up. Ideally it takes less than 40 secs, but it's not really a big deal if it takes a little longer.
If the pressure goes really low or it takes too long to pump up the gong will sound and the system will disable.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Bexleyheath, Kent
Thanks for the response, I believe the ABS/PDAS lamps are operating normally but the central warning (!), spoiler and handbrake lamp should also be illuminated after starting and before moving off but they are not.
If i turn the ignition key to position 1 then the only lights I get are the PDAS/ABS and Battery lamp when I should get all the lights illuminated in the dash.
If i turn the ignition key to position 1 then the only lights I get are the PDAS/ABS and Battery lamp when I should get all the lights illuminated in the dash.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 5
From: West Sussex
Aha I get ya!
I'm not sure the central warning should be on once the engine is running. Pretty much everything should be lit when you turn the key to position 2 (between ignition on and start) though.
The spoiler light on mine is fickle. The handbrake, well that should come on whenever the handbrake is on.
They get particularly unpredictable once things get a bit damp behind there, normally sort themselves out when they get dry though. Mine started to behave more in line with the manual after I unplugged it and plugged it back in again so maybe the terminals get furred up over time.
If I didn't have the cover on it I'd go an look at mine now for you.
I'm not sure the central warning should be on once the engine is running. Pretty much everything should be lit when you turn the key to position 2 (between ignition on and start) though.
The spoiler light on mine is fickle. The handbrake, well that should come on whenever the handbrake is on.
They get particularly unpredictable once things get a bit damp behind there, normally sort themselves out when they get dry though. Mine started to behave more in line with the manual after I unplugged it and plugged it back in again so maybe the terminals get furred up over time.
If I didn't have the cover on it I'd go an look at mine now for you.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Bexleyheath, Kent
The Warning light on mine stays on as I've not swapped out the faulty belt sensor yet so I should have also noted that the belt light is also kaput.
I'll look at eradicating any dampness and re-try. Which terminals did you unplug/plug back in?
I'll look at eradicating any dampness and re-try. Which terminals did you unplug/plug back in?
Trending Topics
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
10 Reasons I Hate Going to the Porsche Dealership (& the 1 Reason I Stay)
Joe Kucinski
Porsche Shakes Up The Nürburgring Lap Record Table Once Again
Verdad Gallardo
6 Ways the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Redefines Performance
Joe Kucinski
10 Wildest Homologation Specials Porsche Ever Sold
Verdad Gallardo
Super Rare RUF BTR III Comes Out of Hibernation, Looking For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Opinions That Can Start a Fight
Joe Kucinski
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 5
From: West Sussex
I'd get some air dry bags and check the sound proofing under the mats is dry first as damp seems to be the random factor in the behaviour of these things.
I'm not sure there's too much wrong with what you have, nearly working is better than nothing! And if the car runs fine and the guages work, the lights aren't critical.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Bexleyheath, Kent
just worried that all the wires have melted together somewhere
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Bexleyheath, Kent
It looks like it is the Central informer Unit after all. studying the schematic some more i noticed that all the lamps that were not working were on socket 2 of the CI, after taking the unit off I jumped pin 13 on socket 1 (input from parking brake sensor) to pin 20 on socket 2 (Parking brake warning lamp) and hey presto the warning lamp lit up.
looking at the unit one of the POs has done some DIY and soldered jumpers in a couple of places and re-soldered some things too. no idea where to start on circuit boards so I guess I'll try to get a 2nd hand unit off ebay but I'd like to understand what these DIY mods were for...
Gutted I missed a meet in Surrey today but this would have kept on bugging me.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]
looking at the unit one of the POs has done some DIY and soldered jumpers in a couple of places and re-soldered some things too. no idea where to start on circuit boards so I guess I'll try to get a 2nd hand unit off ebay but I'd like to understand what these DIY mods were for...
Gutted I missed a meet in Surrey today but this would have kept on bugging me.
[IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG]