Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

so I'm putting my new obsession into the garage tomorrow for a checkup, having just bought it I want to get someone sensible to tell me if there's anything looming for repair...

but..

in the meantime, because you're such a knowledgeable lot and I would like to learn - tonight my engine oil came on and stayed on. I checked the oil level on the dipstick (about 50%) although the gauge on the dash says nearly full. Something somewhere is lying to me!! Any ideas around this? Anyone able to give me a dummies guide to how each of these works (what triggers the engine oil warning, how does the fuel gauge get set)


that and if anyone can tell me why the alarm goes off at 2am, 4am and 6am but not at all during the day - that would be fantastic. I'm down to blaming the local cats at the moment...

The oil gauge on the dash shows pressure, not level. Normally, it would sit around 2 bar on tick-over when warm and around 4.5 - 5 bar when the revs are raised.

There is also an oil level warning light activated by a float switch in the sump. Sometimes these can stick and put the light on even when the level is correct.

They are sensitive and some come on between min and max, 1/2 a litre or so will more than likely put it back out.

alarm could be a faulty door switch

thanks guys - wow that was quick!

re alarm - I stumbled around at some ungodly hour this morning opening and closing doors figuring it might be a switch. I forgot the bonnet and the garage guy (elitemotortune in northampton) reckoned thats probably the most likely....we shall see how much it hates me tonight..fortunately i've figured out how to put it into valet mode now so I can at least turn the damn thing off. ("Code Alarm" and a nice neighbour friendly 120db it kicks out - you can imagine how popular I will be if it goes off again tonight)

re oil - ok I'll get it checked then as the pressure gauge is reading maximum (or just below maximum) constantly. Figured the engine warning light might be due to a stuck floating sensor but good to get it confirmed.

be worthwhile topping oil to max on dipstick as can be sensitive to level

The level senders fail. They are a ridiculous amount for what they are and you need to drop the oil to replace them. I live with it until the next oil change when mine play up.

hi there,

i've recently had both your problems!

-the alarm was going off because one the boot pin catches was sticking in the open position and releasing my tailgate at one side. i think air movement was then causing the alarm to go off. how about just locking the car and not arming the alarm until you figure out whats going on? save WW3?

-Oil level light kept coming on when the oil was no where near min on the dipstick. for some reason the level the car thinks is critical has risen to less than 3/4 between max and min. not sure why but a top up might cure?

rick.

re alarm yeah good idea - need to figure out how to turn the damn thing completely off!

it has a "valet mode" which I put it on last night - but it still rearmed and went off (at 4am and then 7am)

anyway - now in the garage so hopefully they will sort it. I've asked them to look at the oil warning as well - we shall see what the verdict is!

RE alarm. Check your insurance. Mine has to have a cat 1 alarm. And it has to work. It's suposed to have an anual check by an authorised speicalist. Though I think it pretty unlikly that anyone would ever steal it. It's due to go again. They seem to spend more time underneath & under the bonnet admiring it than doing anything. Then they give me a bill for £40!