oil check guage just blinks - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

mptoledo · 03-25-2010, 04:46 PM

Bumb back up.

Anybody have any idea?

Paul · 03-25-2010, 04:59 PM

If you have access to a PST-2, check the instrument cluster for errors.

jcb986 · 03-25-2010, 05:01 PM

I have read that when you have a fault and you fix it, the ECU has to make so many cycles before it resets it's counter. It was either 10 or maybe 50 starts. Since you had no issue before your battery took a hike then we can rule out an oil pressure problem. I have a 2000S and I will turn on my key and I watch the oil gauge cycle...and it really takes about 30 seconds before it stops. Now the only thing I think it could be, you fried the sending unit, maybe. Let us know watch you find. Little things like drives me to drink another beer.

mptoledo · 03-25-2010, 07:21 PM

thanks for the input. By cycle do you mean turn the car on and off? It doesn't show any bars. It just blinks empty bars, off and on. Even when I start the car it comes back and blinks for a minute or two. I do plan on doing my anual oil change as soon as I read up on wheather or not to use the seafoam stuff(which is a discussion for another time and thread

).

Lil bastard · 03-25-2010, 08:53 PM

It's an electrical fault.

The Factory repair manual states that:"If there is a fault in the oil level detection system (ie. broken wire, short to ground) the entire display flashes"

So that's one place to start.

Another would be to refuel the car, ignition OFF, car warm. Add at least 12 gal. and do so within 15 min. That may kickstart it.

Also, just because you replaced the ignition switch last year, you cannot automatically rule it out. These are notorious for failure... as you already know.

BTW, the cycle mentioned to reset has nothing to do with the number of starts or turns of the ignition. It has to do with completing a drive cycle. This drive cycle has very specific conditions which need be met within a given time and distance parameter. Use the search function to learn more as I'm sure it's been covered before.

Cheers!

mptoledo · 03-26-2010, 10:01 AM

Sounds conterintuitive adding fuel will affect the oil guage, but I will definately try that first, as I need gas eventually anyways

I will keep you all posted when I figure it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

It's an electrical fault.

Another would be to refuel the car, ignition OFF, car warm. Add at least 12 gal. and do so within 15 min. That may kickstart it.

Cheers!

tonycarreon · 03-26-2010, 10:19 AM

when you refill the car does an actual check, which is why it takes a lot longer. mine usually says around 8 minutes to check the oil after i fill-up instead of the usual 4-8 seconds.

jcb986 · 03-26-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mptoledo

thanks for the input. By cycle do you mean turn the car on and off? It doesn't show any bars. It just blinks empty bars, off and on. Even when I start the car it comes back and blinks for a minute or two. I do plan on doing my anual oil change as soon as I read up on wheather or not to use the seafoam stuff(which is a discussion for another time and thread

).

What was the ordeal that took out the alternator and the battery....I have a link to Pelican Parts for the Oil Level Sender, click on Tech Info tab and see some the guys with oil level problems.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=996-606-150-00-M100&catalog_description=Oil%20Level%20Sender%2C%20Boxs ter%2FBoxster%20S%20%281997-2004%29%2C%20Each

mptoledo · 03-26-2010, 07:50 PM

The battery was shot and I knew it, but when installing the new one, I accidentally arced it and blew a few things including the Alt, 1 fuse and the radio fuse. Yep, live and learn. Thanks for the link

Actually I really don't care about the oil thingy as I always manually check my oil. I am just concerned that something else might have bit the dust!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcb986

What was the ordeal that took out the alternator and the battery....I have a link to Pelican Parts for the Oil Level Sender, click on Tech Info tab and see some the guys with oil level problems.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=996-606-150-00-M100&catalog_description=Oil%20Level%20Sender%2C%20Boxs ter%2FBoxster%20S%20%281997-2004%29%2C%20Each

monaghana · 12-20-2010, 07:25 AM

Hi, I have same issue with 2002 Boxster S, level indicator flashes for a few moments with no level shown. Oil level looks fine in dipstick. Did you ever resolve?

Mark_T · 12-20-2010, 12:36 PM

check your gas cap - if you leave it off or loose the oil gauge will flash at you.