Warning Light - help plaese

[garyandjanet]

Along with my post on the crackling radio, we now have another issue.

When starting the car over the last 3 morning the "warning battery/generator" light comes on.

However this never comes on again during the day, having just read my manual we have parked the car up (will call OPC on Monday).

Anyone any ideas what this could be ?

Many Thanks

Gary

 

[Guest]

When cold and damp, it is more likely that the alternator/generator belt will slip.
Once the car is warm, and the residual warmth during the day will help plus the dampness is less, it may stop slipping.

I have also noticed that after starting my car, for 30 secs the volts are low, around 10.5, then they go up to 14, which is where they normally are.
A fully charged battery whould be 13.6V.
When the volts go up, sometimes there is a slight squeak, like it is from a belt.
I am guessing that there is an electric clutch mechanism to switch it in (like for the air con compressor).

I posted on the turbo page, but other people have not noticed this.
I saw it also on my C4S.

It doesn't do it all the time. Only first thing in the morning, and normally only when cold and damp. If it is just cold and dry it seems OK.
It only does it less than 10% of the time.
I do not have any warning light come on.
However, I would guess that the warning lamp is triggered by the charging volts being too low.
If the bulb goes out after 30 secs I wouldn't be too worried.

 

[Guest]

I might need to modify that.
The manual (P81) says that you should
"Stop at a safe place and switch off engine. Do not continue driving. Consult a qualified specialist garage."

Seems a bit of an over-reaction to me, I would have thought you could drive to the garage.
It would seem not to be immediately disastrous, like for brake fluid or oil, since these say to "Stop immediately".

I bet you it is something minor like a loose connection, that is fine once the damp has gone with the engine heat.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Stuart Martin

The manual (P81) says that you should
"Stop at a safe place and switch off engine. Do not continue driving. Consult a qualified specialist garage."

Seems a bit of an over-reaction to me, I would have thought you could drive to the garage.
It would seem not to be immediately disastrous, like for brake fluid or oil, since these say to "Stop immediately".

My guess is that the bulb would also light up if the belt breaks.
So driving on in these circumstances could have disasterous effects if it got entangled in the other belts.

I suppose stopping and calling the "qualified specialist garage" is Porsche making sure they have covered themselves should you drive on and damage occurs[8|]

 

[garyandjanet]

Cheers

The car is outside on the drive so we think its down to the cold/damp (after your input)

So if comes on during summer or when the cars warm - Ring the OPC ??

 

[Guest]

If it makes it to the summer.
If there is a real issue, the battery will go flat and it won't start anymore.

As long as it is intermittent, I wouldn't worry overly, but I would still get the OPC's opinion.
Obviously, something is not 100% else it wouldn't be doing it.