FLashing red light on temp. dial

[h4m0xxx]

Hi all,

Noticed on the way to work this morning I have a flashing red light on the end of my temperature dial, even though it was displaying normal temps.

I turned the car on and off and it didn't come back on the second time...

However few questions
1) What does it mean?
2) Is the car safe to drive home to get looked at?

Thanks very much in advance.

Sam

 

[NXI20]

It's indicating that the water level is low. Most likely cause:

1) Water reservoir cap leaking
2) Pinhole leak in reservoir itself
3) Front radiator rotted & leaking

You should be OK to drive it, just keep an eye on the water level until you get it fixed.

 

[beershark]

I had that recently for the first time in 6 years.

Agree its the water level low and NOT overheating. I think its steady if overheating and you will see the temp gauge much higher if that was the case.

Safe to drive, just keep an eye on the temp gauge.

 

[Black80XSA]

There are a range of faults that illuminate that light, the rate of flashing acts as a diagnostic function, so you should be able to pinpoint any issue by refering to Richards post here...

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=330170

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

As Sam isn't a member he won't be able to access that thread. (Another benefit of Club membership [] ) Here is the part which descibes the warning light:

Four functions of the coolant warning light:

1. Engine coolant level too low
"” light flashes slowly (0.5 Hz)
2. Engine compartment temperature too high
"” light flashes slowly (0.5 Hz) (engine compartment blower might be faulty)
3. Engine coolant temperature too high
"” light is lit; pointer on the right
4. Temperature sensor at water outlet faulty
"” light flashes rapidly (1 Hz); pointer on the right

Note
The temperature warning in point three is indicated if the conditions "engine coolant temperature too high" and "engine coolant level too low" are present simultaneously

(1Hz = 1 flash per second. 0.5Hz = 2 seconds per flash)

 

[DRDT]

I too had this. Mine was the 1Hz flash. Only seemed to happen when the OAT is below 10-12 degrees when the gauge failed as the needle reaches 60 degrees accompanied by the 1Hz flash and 'temp gauge failure' on the OBC. After another 3-10 miles the gauge came back to life, the light stopped flashing and the gauge climbed to its normal op temp. I had this every journey from Oct-March then as we moved into Spring/Summer and the OAT stayed above 10-12 degrees the problem stopped. At my June Service Paragon changed the coolant temp sensor on the block and the thermostat although there was nothing obviously failed about them. I too checked coolant level - OK, put some WD40 on the coolant level sensor - no change and checked the rads for leaf blockage etc - nothing there. After the inevitable 'oh dear' panic when it first happened and frantic searching around the engine for problems, I became more sanguine with time and as the problem did not seem to affect the car's performance I just monitored it until time for its Service at Paragon. I await the coming winter with interest.

joys of owning a Porsche

 

[h4m0xxx]

Thanks so much for the advice guys.

Drove home, read the manual and it all makes sense now!

Thanks again

Sam