Oil warning light

Hi people Sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place or if this has been answered recently - new to the forum! I was wondering if anyone can help - I have an oil warning light coming on in my year 2000 carrera 4 996. Can you help me by telling me what that means and what I need to do to get rid of it - i.e. fix the problem without having to take it to porsche! Thanks in advance

erm, have you checked the oil? if it's not empty I suggest you get to a garage of some sort, Porsche expertise, indy or OPC, reccomended.

A good first thing to do is to refer to the owners manual - that'll explain why its lit up and what to do to fix it.

Yes, check the sensor via the dipstick, the dash and on the OBC. I suspect the sensor is faulty. Hopefully the dipstick shows plenty of (good coloured) oil. If that's the case, then a good Indy or even your OPC will be able to complete the work at reasonable price. OPC hourly rates reduce for cars over 5 years old. However, there's plenty of other reasons for the oil light coming on, so with something as important as oil pressure and level, I wouldn't hesitate in getting this looking into immediately.

Water light not oil light! Sorry I made a silly mistake - its the water light not oil light. After it gets quarter or mid way the light seems to go on? any ideas? Cheers

Re: Water light not oil light! What goes quarter or midway? ~ Maxie

The temperature If I am not being too helpful I can get a picture if it helps

Pic please

So, when the temperature gauge goes a quarter or midway around the dial, your water light comes on? Have you checked the coolant level? ~ Maxie

Yes that right I have not checked the coolant level - I suppose that should be the first I should have checked but I just wanted to see if it is likely to be anything else? Also do I need any special coolant? Thanks

That was the topic of some debate on another thread. I have used a solution of Halfords coolant on my 996 and there didn't seem to be any problems with it. Make sure you make a 30% solution of the stuff before pouring into the coolant reservoir (ie. about 1 part coolant to 2 parts water). This will be good for rest of summer and autumn. Do this first to see if the light goes out. In Winter use a stronger concentration (a 50% solution is ideal). ~ Maxie

Thanks I will give that a try and post back! Thanks

You don't say if the light is flashing or solid. 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) Porsche coolant is mixed 50:50.

Hi - thanks so much for the reply. I will check what type of light it is. With reference to the coolant - is there any you recommend or are the halford ones adequate? Cheers

I've found the Halfords coolants adquate - after all, they all contain the same chemicals in them - it's the just branding that's different. If you're not wanting to vary the coolant concentration on a seasonal basis, then just do what Richard H suggests and use a 50% concentration (ie. 1 part water to 1 part coolant). I guess you're new here, welcome to the forum . Please put some pics up of your new car. ~ Maxie