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Managed to get the pressure gauge and M8x1 adapter through the post today so I was able to test that my FAL can reach the 18bar pressure in the storage tank. Also checked that the 18bar pressure switch closes on the tank regulator......
Both tests were successful, so I am now building a tester using a Raspberry Pi processor to emulate the cars central control unit and actuate the valves for LIFT and DROP and thereby allow me to check the other two Suco pressure switches at the front of the unit mounted on the valve block.
Finally finished and made initial testing of my homemade FAL tester.... Used an old Raspberry Pi processor and some relays... Mounted it all in an old Garmin watch box......
Works perfect.. System initially charges when turned on from tester (simulating ignition on). After about 3 minutes the 18 Bar switch closes and triggers my script to set the amber LED (Amber = Charged).
Pushing the up button opens the solenoid controlled 2 way valve on the FAL. When the system gets to 13 bar of pressure, the front right 13 bar pressure switch closes which triggers my script to set the red LED (Red = LIFT)
Green LED is on all the time. When down button is pressed the dump valve solenoid is actuated once the system drops below 1.5 Bar the left front pressure switch opens, this signals my script to turn the green LED out. (Green LED out = DOWN)
The system can also test the heat switch on the motor housing. It just opens when the temperature gets too hot.
After all this playing around mine was just a faulty £4 drive belt available from Radio Spares !! Nuts that this is not a replacement part with Porsche.
Finally finished and made initial testing of my homemade FAL tester.... Used an old Raspberry Pi processor and some relays... Mounted it all in an old Garmin watch box......
Works perfect.. System initially charges when turned on from tester (simulating ignition on). After about 3 minutes the 18 Bar switch closes and triggers my script to set the amber LED (Amber = Charged).
Pushing the up button opens the solenoid controlled 2 way valve on the FAL. When the system gets to 13 bar of pressure, the front right 13 bar pressure switch closes which triggers my script to set the red LED (Red = LIFT)
Green LED is on all the time. When down button is pressed the dump valve solenoid is actuated once the system drops below 1.5 Bar the left front pressure switch opens, this signals my script to turn the green LED out. (Green LED out = DOWN)
The system can also test the heat switch on the motor housing. It just opens when the temperature gets too hot.
After all this playing around mine was just a faulty £4 drive belt available from Radio Spares !! Nuts that this is not a replacement part with Porsche.
Great work, I take it you either work with electronics / computers as a day job
Finally finished and made initial testing of my homemade FAL tester.... Used an old Raspberry Pi processor and some relays... Mounted it all in an old Garmin watch box......
Works perfect.. System initially charges when turned on from tester (simulating ignition on). After about 3 minutes the 18 Bar switch closes and triggers my script to set the amber LED (Amber = Charged).
Pushing the up button opens the solenoid controlled 2 way valve on the FAL. When the system gets to 13 bar of pressure, the front right 13 bar pressure switch closes which triggers my script to set the red LED (Red = LIFT)
Green LED is on all the time. When down button is pressed the dump valve solenoid is actuated once the system drops below 1.5 Bar the left front pressure switch opens, this signals my script to turn the green LED out. (Green LED out = DOWN)
The system can also test the heat switch on the motor housing. It just opens when the temperature gets too hot.
After all this playing around mine was just a faulty £4 drive belt available from Radio Spares !! Nuts that this is not a replacement part with Porsche.
What a cool tester. Thank you for posting all the investigation notes here. I'm going to be 'rebuilding' my own FAL system with a fresh belt and three pressure switches.
There was some discussion about them, and maybe one of them was upgraded, I can't recall-you'd have to go through the thread, and there are a few others if you search 997 GT3/GT3 section
I just used my FAL today, to keep it working. But I use it sparingly.
I think the valves can be bought directly for bout $50, vs $200+ at dealers
But the site was in German only as far as I recall
JB
The pressure switches (Only replaceable parts on the system according to Porsche) are made buy Suco and can be obtained for about £42 + Tax and shipping each.
The part numbers are as follows:- NOTE they need to be calibrated to exact pressure by manufacturer.
13 Bar Pressure switch mounted on right of valve block as you look from above (Signals for lift message to come on when raise pressure reaches 13 bar and actuates switch) -------- 0140459031009
1.5 Bar Pressure switch mounted on left of valve block as you look from above (Signals for lift message to go out when raise pressure drops to 1.5 bar) -------- 0140457031003
17 Bar Pressure switch mounted on storage tank regulator ( Signals to control system to stop 12vDC feed to motor when tank pressure of 17 Bar reached) -------- 0140459031009
I attach the English product sheet for them
They can be sourced in the UK from:- (Note 7-8 week lead time, probably COVID / BREXIT has something to do with that)
I'm still waiting on a call back about the solenoid actuated valves (Basically look like commercial vehicle parts) !
//Chris
Take a look at this posting from me, I also attach the original brochure in English for the pressure switches and have put the OEM suppliers part numbers.
the 13 Bar switch is the one you mention.
You also state you are going to rebuild your FAL with new switches and belt….. Is it working now or faulty?
Take a look at this posting from me, I also attach the original brochure in English for the pressure switches and have put the OEM suppliers part numbers.
the 13 Bar switch is the one you mention.
You also state you are going to rebuild your FAL with new switches and belt….. Is it working now or faulty?
Mine "works" today. Button Raises the car no lift shown on dash and car only lowers with speed. I went through the thread and I figure the issue is one of those switches. Also I think if I'm going to have those switches replaced just throw a new belt on for a few extra $.
I might be the only one to have gotten the Lift Malfunction message on the dashboard-before this thread, my car had a FAL issue, and the dealer claimed to have replaced a switch. No idea which one, but I can try to look for the receipt(probably around 2014)
Once I got the Lift Malfunction message, I initiated another repair. I had to escalate the repair to replace the entire system, and hence this thread. It at first was denied, then a percentage of cost was offered which I then contested and politely but firmly demanded a full warranty repair. That dealer's manager managed to get the complete pump, and I thanked PCNA and the dealer publicly, as I'm pretty sure they monitored this thread at the time. My CPO coverage had just expired, my claim is that the repair wasn't fully addressed during CPO period. It had been expired for less than a week. So thanks again to PCNA and the manager at Porsche of West Broward.
The 991 lifts also malfunctioned, and that system can't be used on 997s as far as I know
Since these switches can indeed be bought for about $50, it's worth doing, and the belt might as well be replaced too.
There is also a procedure to attach the hoses- there are marks on them to indicate they can't be pushed too far in our out when tightening the nut:
And one more thought-there is a valve(like a tire valve)that the manual says to press or remove with a tire valve screw driver)to depressurize the system before taking it out of the car. It might be a good idea to replace that valve, or at least unscrew and see if it's ok, or just re-tighten since valves like that can have a slow leak-
Also, other posters showed that you can replace the 2 switches without removing the entire system, but tools to loosen them onboard I can't recall-
No lift is almost certainly the 13bar Suco pressure switch.
This switch closes when the system reaches 13bar in the fron shock air chambers. This then closes the circuit sending 12v DC back to the control unit in the car which lights the word ‘lift’ on the dash
Likely to be hydraulic fluid from the shocks leaking back into the air chambers and then being pulled back into the FAL.
The belt is not a changeable part from Porsche so you will need to get from RS…. I placed a link in an earlier posting.
If you want I can send you electrical and pneumatic wiring diagrams and operational flowcharts that I reverse engineered to enable me to build my tester and write the python script for it. (PM me if interested)
I also bought new washers for the ones, they go on the banjo bolts that attach to the shocks.
While I had them out, I ran the system for a few minutes to get fresh air through it just in case-I did it in the winter when the humidity level is low.
Yesterday when I activated the system and got Lift on the dashboard, I drove slowly for about 20 minutes to make sure it stayed like that. I then pulled over and lowered it with the satisfying swoooosh sound
04-09-2021, 02:35 PM
