Hi
Has anyone experienced problems with the coolant temp light flashing red. The gauge stays at about 90 degrees and does not actually go on to overheat. I have a 1998 996 with 37K miles so hardly used. Thanks - Jon

 

The light will flash when coolant is low in the tank or there is a problem with the level sensor at the bottom of the tank. It will also flash if their is a problem with the engine compartment fan circuit.

 

that means your coolant is low...

 

I hate to scare you, but my coolant temp was fine but the warning light went on when I needed a new engine (oil/coolant intermix)... Check your level, hopefully it's just a little low...

 

Did this happen with your 2001 Turbo car?

Bill

 

Yeah, mine too...but the light is simply a warning of low coolant level....or bad sensor...Or problems were that the level was low because it was leaking into the engine and getting burned off.....

 

The light does flash for a few reasons.
Low coolant.
And faulty solenoid that turns the engine fan on.

As an aside though the 1998 and 1999 did have some issues with "not over heating", but getting hot. That's why in 2000 ot 2001 Porsche changed the design of the front air dam - the new one was more "scooped" at the sides to suck in more air.
My 1999 C2 did sometimes get hot. I think it was par for the course for all early 996's.

 

Nope, had a C2 before this.

Kinda hard to say that without sounding alarmist... probably shoulda kept my mouth shut...

 

The higher operating temps is not a result of front air dam design...I have a TT bumper which would have been designed for better cooling and have noticed the same operating temps on my 99....I would say its radiator capacity, fans, and thermostats...but that is my opinion, because I dont actually KNOW why the 99-01's run hotter...I do know with the 3rd radiator kit, the car operates at lower temps, more like the 02+ cars....

 

Thanks very much I will get both checked out - appreciate your help - Jon

 

All the cars run at about the same temperature at low speeds, regardless fo what your temperature gauge tells you. They all run at a minimum of 190F once warmed up, regardless of vehicle speed. Pofrsche simply lowered the reported temp on the dash gauge.

 

so...the 99-01 is accurate, and they actually dumbed down the -2+ gauge so it doesnt alarm the owners? wow....interesting.

 

99-01 is NOT accurate, just closer than the later years. They still show lower than acutual coolant temp.

 

hmmm....interesting.

 

so hovering around the 190 mark is typical........?