System Failure

[Taz]

In addition to the warning messages, it also did something really strange. I started the engine and after 10 seconds the sat nav panel shut down, then the right hand info panel did the same, the air con shut down and all the electric windows stopped working (except the drivers). Also, the Rev counter needle dropped to zero, even though the engine was still running.

My wife now refuses to drive the car in case she gets stranded.

The ‘loaner’ is a Mercedes C class from Enterprise, which is awful.

I’m passed the point of no return. This car will be going once it’s fixed.

[Taz]

Time to say 'goodbye' to the Macan and 'hello old friend' to a Cayenne. Having had 2 of these before I have decided to buy another.

I'm probably stepping into another world of electronic complexity but surely it could not happen to me again ... could it ?

[Paul]

You need to speak to smithy.....

(currently in a 911.....!)

[Taz]

By way of an update, the OPC has diagnosed that the battery is faulty and have replaced it. Their view is that it retained enough charge to start the engine but would not hold a charge from the alternator which sent spurious signals back to the ECU and confused it.

Form your own opinion.

[TheTraveller]

My Mac, had a couple of problems last year, software related I think.
First one, when the key was put in the ignition, the grabber which normally sounds did not happen. Then the first turn onto ignition, resulted in no lights appearing on the dash, not even the PCM illuminating. Then turned against the spring to starter, absolutely nothing. Turned it backwards and forwards several times, without any success. Then removed the key completely, and reinserted it, then all worked as normal. This happened on a further two occassions.
Took it to the OPC, and they kept it for a week while I was away, but could not find any fault. They said if it happens again, I need to take a picture of it happening, as Porsche will not authorise any work without knowing that there is a problem. But it's not happened again since then, over a year ago.
The second is that the N/S door mirror did drop to kerb when reverse was engaged, even though it worked ok. The OPC talked me through a reset over the phone, and that's been ok too.
I think, if there is problems now with nearly new cars, what will happen when they've got some years behind them. Like computers at home, knackered.

[Taz]

My car can sit on the drive for up to three weeks without moving and whilst I would not expect the battery to lose its charge in that time period, I think that as a precaution in future I will connect a trickle charger to it.

[MikeM]

By way of an update, the OPC has diagnosed that the battery is faulty and have replaced it. Their view is that it retained enough charge to start the engine but would not hold a charge from the alternator which sent spurious signals back to the ECU and confused it.

Form your own opinion.

I did, “Would still replace the battery to start out and test from there” . If you are not using the car for several weeks at a time definitely wise to keep it plugged into a CTEK. Hope it’s resolved the issue for you.

[Taz]

MikeM, yes a CTEK will be on the shopping list.

However, the bit that mystifies me is that the first time this happened I had driven 200 miles the day before and 50 miles on the morning that the error messages started.

Then last weekend, I had driven over 300 miles earlier that week and also 100 miles the day before the faults came up. In addition, the car had been starting okay all morning and had been used for a number of trips, including blasts up and down the sprint course at Coventry Motofest (where I was the senior official).

[Nuclear Nick]

MikeM, yes a CTEK will be on the shopping list.

However, the bit that mystifies me is that the first time this happened I had driven 200 miles the day before and 50 miles on the morning that the error messages started.

Then last weekend, I had driven over 300 miles earlier that week and also 100 miles the day before the faults came up. In addition, the car had been starting okay all morning and had been used for a number of trips, including blasts up and down the sprint course at Coventry Motofest (where I was the senior official).

If it is the battery it doesn't surprise me. AGM batteries do seem to fail in ways that you wouldn't expect conventional lead acid batteries to do.

[Taz]

The OPC advised that the battery would have cost £225 if I were paying for the replacement.