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Old 05-06-2007, 03:50 PM   #1
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Blinking Red LED at the Temp Gauge

Does any one know what it means when the Red LED is blinking at the Temp Gauge, and the temp is reading around 180. 2001 Boxster S, 53,200 miles.

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Old 05-06-2007, 04:32 PM   #2
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On page 73 of the Owners Manual states a flashing light indicates low coolant level.
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Old 05-06-2007, 04:51 PM   #3
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I believe it may also indicate a problem with the engine bay cooling fan or an overheat condition.
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Old 05-06-2007, 07:41 PM   #4
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Combination of the two previous posts. It's either coolant level or the engine bay cooling fan is not coming on.

Check the coolant level first (when stone cold). If it's low, pull up the trunk carpet and see if there is coolant underneath. If there is coolant under the carpet, then either your coolant reservoir is cracked or one of the hoses coming out of the side of the reservoir is cracked or loose.

If there's not any coolant under the carpet, then jack up the back end on stands and check under the front of the engine for coolant. If you find it here, then you have a leaking hose or the water pump is going out and starting to leak to warn you.

If there's no coolant in the rear, then jack up the front on stands and check for coolant. If you find it, then there's a leaking hose up front or a leaking radiator.

If the coolant is not low, then check the engine bay fan. It should come on at 195 degrees. To get it past the 195 mark, take the car out and warm it up to where the needle is between the 8 and 0 in then 180 mark, then turn around and go home keeping it above 4K rpm. When you get home, listen for the engine fan to be on. If it's not, then you need to test the fan. You can unplug the fan and run wires from the + & - terminals on the battery (preferably not the one in the car) to the two terminals inside the fan connector. If you don't have a second battery, then unplug your battery completely and remove it from the car before doing the test. When the wires are connected, the fan will run if it works. If it doesn't spin, then the fan is probably dead.

If the fan is fine, plug it back in and try replacing the fan relay first to see if it will come on when it should after running the car like before. If it still doesn't come on, then it's probably the engine compartment thermostat. Mine went out and caused this problem awhile ago. It's located in a gromet in the right (passenger) side of the spider. Replace it and hopefully that's the end of it after all of this stuff.

Good luck!
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Last edited by deliriousga; 05-06-2007 at 07:47 PM.
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Old 05-07-2007, 09:14 AM   #5
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deliriousga wrote:
> Combination of the two previous posts. It's either coolant
> level or the engine bay cooling fan is not coming on.

When the coolant gets low on my '98, I get a steady LED, (no blinking). It might be different on a 2001.

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Old 05-07-2007, 01:51 PM   #6
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The coolant was low and the LED stopped blinking, thanks all for your help

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