System Fault Return To Workshop.
03-06-2005, 03:28 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
System Fault Return To Workshop.
I washed my new 997 S with a 12/04 build date and immediately after starting the car, the "System Fault, Return To Workshop" is now on. The car has a whole 99 miles on it.
I searched the archives and found a post from OSSI that says:
" they need to replace the front latch solenoids/actuators (NOT ONLY the latch assembly) the original solenoids have leaky seals for most of the early production cars due to a bad lot of these solenoids."
Does anyone know if replacing the above parts solves the problem? I called my closest dealer, who is 2 hours away, and they hadnt heard of this particular problem. I need to take my car to them, is it ok to drive it the 100 miles to their shop? My car also wouldnt qualify as an early production car.
Is there anyone that has had this problem and had it permanently repaired?
Doe you have the part numbers for the parts involved?
I am also wondering if a pattern is developing for a specific time frame that the cars with this problem were built within.
Would it be a good idea to start a dedicated thread for this issue that would track build dates and what it took to resolve the issue?
I searched the archives and found a post from OSSI that says:
" they need to replace the front latch solenoids/actuators (NOT ONLY the latch assembly) the original solenoids have leaky seals for most of the early production cars due to a bad lot of these solenoids."
Does anyone know if replacing the above parts solves the problem? I called my closest dealer, who is 2 hours away, and they hadnt heard of this particular problem. I need to take my car to them, is it ok to drive it the 100 miles to their shop? My car also wouldnt qualify as an early production car.
Is there anyone that has had this problem and had it permanently repaired?
Doe you have the part numbers for the parts involved?
I am also wondering if a pattern is developing for a specific time frame that the cars with this problem were built within.
Would it be a good idea to start a dedicated thread for this issue that would track build dates and what it took to resolve the issue?
03-06-2005, 04:47 PM
#2
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I have the same message on my 997. Picked up last week and drove straight home with 245 kilometers and parked for 1 week. Filled up with gas today and visited 2 people, turning off once, went a total of 10 k. Message came up after I started a 2nd time. I am 200 k. from my dealer. Does the computer clear itself or is it manditory to return to shop? Does roadside cover this?
03-06-2005, 05:15 PM
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I called my closest dealer, who is 2 hours away, and they hadnt heard of this particular problem.
03-06-2005, 08:47 PM
#5
See Post #36 (Page 3) of the thread on this forum about "Spare Tire for 997?". Below is a quote from Richard of Colorado regarding the problem you are facing.
"gradyex & All Others Concerned,
Rest assured that the "return to workshop message" malfunction has been isolated & can be easily repaired. It is associated with a bad solenoid connected to the internal emergency trunk release as eventually found & repaired on Skip's former 997S, now owned by Porsche. This was determined by the master mechanic at the dealership from which I purchased my vehicle, here in Colorado."
"gradyex & All Others Concerned,
Rest assured that the "return to workshop message" malfunction has been isolated & can be easily repaired. It is associated with a bad solenoid connected to the internal emergency trunk release as eventually found & repaired on Skip's former 997S, now owned by Porsche. This was determined by the master mechanic at the dealership from which I purchased my vehicle, here in Colorado."
03-07-2005, 01:28 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
Same thing happened to me. Had the car flat bedded to the dealer. At that time they couldn't figure it out. Never happened again. It's probably OK to drive and your best bet is making it to the dealer so that you can get a rental. Othewise it'll involve someone giving you a ride to pick it up.
03-07-2005, 11:14 AM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
I just got off the phone with my dealer.
They said they checked with Porsche about the problem and Porsche said they have no knowledge of this issue.
Now they want me to flatbed the car to them for evaluation.
Does anyone know if I can clear the code myself and remove the System Fault ?
I can live with it until the weather gets nicer and then I will get it fixed.
They said they checked with Porsche about the problem and Porsche said they have no knowledge of this issue.
Now they want me to flatbed the car to them for evaluation.
Does anyone know if I can clear the code myself and remove the System Fault ?
I can live with it until the weather gets nicer and then I will get it fixed.
Trending Topics
03-07-2005, 11:40 AM
#8
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by Brian E
I just got off the phone with my dealer.
They said they checked with Porsche about the problem and Porsche said they have no knowledge of this issue.
Now they want me to flatbed the car to them for evaluation.
Does anyone know if I can clear the code myself and remove the System Fault ?
I can live with it until the weather gets nicer and then I will get it fixed.
They said they checked with Porsche about the problem and Porsche said they have no knowledge of this issue.
Now they want me to flatbed the car to them for evaluation.
Does anyone know if I can clear the code myself and remove the System Fault ?
I can live with it until the weather gets nicer and then I will get it fixed.
Your dealership is not being forthright IMHO. 
Check with another dealership if you can. It HAS been isolated to the front latch mechanism apparently following car washes. If your dealership still maintains a lack of knowledge, please refer them to rennlist and rennteam.Good luck!!!
03-07-2005, 12:02 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by alin2
Huh? This is nearly a pandemic issue that has cost PCNA at least one lemon buy back already. Your dealership is not being forthright IMHO.
Your dealership is not being forthright IMHO. I'd tell them you ___KNOW___ what's going on with your frickin car from internet chat and tell them they have one hour to find out what's going on for themselves.
I'm just guessing that they're probably getting stonewalled by some low-level contact they have at Porsche.
I got my fingers crossed for you!
03-07-2005, 12:02 PM
#10
Pls tell your dealer that the world knows about this problem....including Porsche. My dealer knew all about it and made the replaced the neccessary parts. That said, you can have your dealer call mine: Porsche of Fairfield, tel. 203-367-3700 and the service department will explain. Good luck.
03-07-2005, 06:18 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Brian E
I washed my new 997 S with a 12/04 build date and immediately after starting the car, the "System Fault, Return To Workshop" is now on. The car has a whole 99 miles on it . . .
I am also wondering if a pattern is developing for a specific time frame that the cars with this problem were built within.
Would it be a good idea to start a dedicated thread for this issue that would track build dates and what it took to resolve the issue?
I am also wondering if a pattern is developing for a specific time frame that the cars with this problem were built within.
Would it be a good idea to start a dedicated thread for this issue that would track build dates and what it took to resolve the issue?
YoungTurk
'05 Carrera (Arctic Silver/Black)
03-07-2005, 09:49 PM
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
Update:
I had another conversation with my nearest dealer.
The car is going to be flat beded to them when I get back from my business trip.
He still contends there is no information available about this issue from Porsche.
I have described the problem to them in great detail
I told him about this forum and the priceless information I have gained from all of you.
He has asked me to e-mail him the link to this website.
They have been very accomadating and courteous. I have confidence that they will remedy the problem in a timely manner.
I am also asking them to do a 4 wheel alignment on the car while it is in their shop.
I would still be very grateful if anyone who has had their car repaired could send me a list of the actual part numbers that it takes to complete the repair.
I had another conversation with my nearest dealer.
The car is going to be flat beded to them when I get back from my business trip.
He still contends there is no information available about this issue from Porsche.
I have described the problem to them in great detail
I told him about this forum and the priceless information I have gained from all of you.
He has asked me to e-mail him the link to this website.
They have been very accomadating and courteous. I have confidence that they will remedy the problem in a timely manner.
I am also asking them to do a 4 wheel alignment on the car while it is in their shop.
I would still be very grateful if anyone who has had their car repaired could send me a list of the actual part numbers that it takes to complete the repair.
03-08-2005, 12:39 AM
#13
Brian E:
I suggest you send and email or PM to "Richard in Colorado" regarding the solution to your problem.
Go to the post referenced below and click on "Richard in Colorado" 's name. Click on Public Profile. You can then either email or PM him.
See Post #36 (Page 3) of the thread on this forum about "Spare Tire for 997?". Below is a quote from Richard of Colorado regarding the problem you are facing.
"gradyex & All Others Concerned,
Rest assured that the "return to workshop message" malfunction has been isolated & can be easily repaired. It is associated with a bad solenoid connected to the internal emergency trunk release as eventually found & repaired on Skip's former 997S, now owned by Porsche. This was determined by the master mechanic at the dealership from which I purchased my vehicle, here in Colorado."
I suggest you send and email or PM to "Richard in Colorado" regarding the solution to your problem.
Go to the post referenced below and click on "Richard in Colorado" 's name. Click on Public Profile. You can then either email or PM him.
See Post #36 (Page 3) of the thread on this forum about "Spare Tire for 997?". Below is a quote from Richard of Colorado regarding the problem you are facing.
"gradyex & All Others Concerned,
Rest assured that the "return to workshop message" malfunction has been isolated & can be easily repaired. It is associated with a bad solenoid connected to the internal emergency trunk release as eventually found & repaired on Skip's former 997S, now owned by Porsche. This was determined by the master mechanic at the dealership from which I purchased my vehicle, here in Colorado."
03-08-2005, 02:38 AM
#14
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ok, i was quiet for a while, but i have to jump in here.
since i am one of the unfortunate suckers who had the pleasure of dealing with this first, here is some info:
the actual issue is/are leaky seals on the front latch solenoids/actuators, period. these are made by some company in "czech republic" and are also used on VW phaeton's, which had the same issues. there was one or more bad lot's of them at the beginning of the 997 production cycle and there where several 100 cars affected by this (not sure if these where all 997's). some of these actuators may have made it all the way into early 2005 997cars.
as with all modern cars, dealers don't get paid well for long hours of investigation, so they like to "just" exchange modules and parts in bulk. the problem with this specific problem is that the leaky seals cause a short, which then upsets the front control module frimware, which in turn, sends all kind of garbadge across the CAN2. so, the leaky seals leads to all kinds of error messages in all sorts of modules across the CAN 2. when the dealer hooks up the PWIS, they go bazurk, and think they have to exchange all kinds of things. they did so in serval cases including mine.
none of the module swaps helps, as the seals are still leaking next time moisture or water is present. the ONE and ONLY solution to this problem is: to exchange the 2 (two) actuators/solenoids that are operating the front latch, period. the latch assembly itself doesn't need to be replaced, but can, doesn't matter.
the sad part about this is that porsche never issued a TI (technical information sheet?) on this issue. so most dealers don't know about it. however, if they call porsche front desk in atlanta, they should be familiar with this issue.
if any of you have trouble getting their dealer to get their act together on this: call charlie at beverly hills porsche service. he is the shop foreman there and is ontop of this issue as he has fixed several cars. he is the man!
good luck!
-r
since i am one of the unfortunate suckers who had the pleasure of dealing with this first, here is some info:
the actual issue is/are leaky seals on the front latch solenoids/actuators, period. these are made by some company in "czech republic" and are also used on VW phaeton's, which had the same issues. there was one or more bad lot's of them at the beginning of the 997 production cycle and there where several 100 cars affected by this (not sure if these where all 997's). some of these actuators may have made it all the way into early 2005 997cars.
as with all modern cars, dealers don't get paid well for long hours of investigation, so they like to "just" exchange modules and parts in bulk. the problem with this specific problem is that the leaky seals cause a short, which then upsets the front control module frimware, which in turn, sends all kind of garbadge across the CAN2. so, the leaky seals leads to all kinds of error messages in all sorts of modules across the CAN 2. when the dealer hooks up the PWIS, they go bazurk, and think they have to exchange all kinds of things. they did so in serval cases including mine.
none of the module swaps helps, as the seals are still leaking next time moisture or water is present. the ONE and ONLY solution to this problem is: to exchange the 2 (two) actuators/solenoids that are operating the front latch, period. the latch assembly itself doesn't need to be replaced, but can, doesn't matter.
the sad part about this is that porsche never issued a TI (technical information sheet?) on this issue. so most dealers don't know about it. however, if they call porsche front desk in atlanta, they should be familiar with this issue.
if any of you have trouble getting their dealer to get their act together on this: call charlie at beverly hills porsche service. he is the shop foreman there and is ontop of this issue as he has fixed several cars. he is the man!
good luck!
-r
03-08-2005, 09:06 AM
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
I have e-mailed this thread to my service manager.
OSSI, JCF7, thank you for your dealer information.
I have asked my dealer to contact one or both of your dealers. I am hoping to get my dealer to order the parts before I send them my car. Does anyone know if the latch solenoids are readily available?
My dealer is very surprised with the detailed knowledge I have about this issue.
I sing the praises of Rennlist to whomever will listen!
OSSI, JCF7, thank you for your dealer information.
I have asked my dealer to contact one or both of your dealers. I am hoping to get my dealer to order the parts before I send them my car. Does anyone know if the latch solenoids are readily available?
My dealer is very surprised with the detailed knowledge I have about this issue.
I sing the praises of Rennlist to whomever will listen!