New to me '09 GTS has thrown PSM Failure messages twice since last Friday...the first time, message and warning light went away on their own two minutes after appearing. Tonight, the warning was preceded by a "System Failure Headlamp" message and persisted. Headlamps are working just fine, so not sure why I'm getting that fault.

Does this sound like a dying battery? My car is late 2008 Production, but was Certified last year and 7K miles ago. I don't know if a new battery is part of Certification.

I'm taking the car in Monday for a couple of other items including re-enabling the SAT Source function, which was inexplicably turned off (see my other post regarding this), so hopefully they'll be able to resolve all these minor issues.

Otherwise, enjoying the ride!

 

Mine gives me error messages that turn themselves off once in a great while. I suspect that the systems are so sensitive that they err on the side of false positives. These most often happen in the light warnings, head lights, lower lights [dipped beam], turn signals and the like.

Often, I find these messages occuring when starting in very cold weather or moist weather. I just turn the car off and start it again and most warning messages go away. However, when they remain on, they are most often right. I'd rather be bugged by my car than LEO pulling me over and stressing me for such a minor thing.

My sway bars and the indicator light will give me grief when my battery is low and needs to be changed. My service advisor in Anchorage really knew his stuff and caught this one for me. The light indicating disengaged will stay on when the battery is low. Also, a low battery can cause all sorts of gremlins with the radio when they are on the way out.

I think batteries are covered under warranty but Porsche gets pretty "slippery" when it comes to their CPO, sadly.

 

I have gotten this message before and it is pretty misleading- if it is the same cause. I got the message when recalibrating my air suspension or having a general air suspension fault. The reason that this error may be caused by the air suspension makes sense when you realize that the headlights auto-adjust depending on the height/angle of the air suspension - for instance when you are in low or terrian mode (or up/down a hill). If you turn on your headlights at night against a wall, you will see the headlight projectors scan from all the way down to all the way up (auto calibration), then settle on a spot in the middle, according to a several sensors.

So the net is, I would be sensitive to any air suspension quirks as well. You might have an air compressor that is on its way out, but can be fixed relatively cheaply. Does this CTT have a lowering module?

 

I have intermittent headlight issues with mine....all seem to be related to the crappy factory connector on the back of the headlight. It gets loose and does not allow full contact of the male/female pins. Most of these issues have been eliminated by removing the housing that keeps the connector in a fix position. Now I can plug the connector into the headlight ALL the way and then push the headlight back into place.

I had a PSM failure once....but it was accompanied by the shifter locking me out reverse/park after I was playing around with it (hard) in manual mode for a bit.

Same with the cold weather and air suspension...takes a while for the compressor to get going which trips the air suspension workshop light.

Atleast you have warranty!!! good luck with your beast.

 

Thanks, Guys. Both warnings resolved themselves today so I'm thinking perhaps gr8ful's situation is similar to mine. Battery charge is actually on the high side, so I doubt that's the issue now. Suspension hasn't had any issues that I'm aware of, but we'll see if any codes were stored when I go in Monday. Really appreciate your input.

 

I tow often and I have been getting more suspension error messages lately; I think my compressor may need attention.

 

Scott,

with your mods, get the 540 EVOMS package--I did and the car drives completely differently. Much STRONGER throttle response, diminished turbo lag. You should get another 25% out of your ride.

 

I know....its on my list. I haven't decided which tune, but maybe after the winter I'll have made up my mind. I want something that would put me in me in the 650-700hp range if possible. We'll see though. I still need some exhaust stuff to complete the exhaust mods too...

 

You need upgraded intecoolers to get in that power range. Another $3,000. Might need an IPD Plenum as well. With all that, you'll be busting 650 HP. That extra 50 HP beyond that is VERY expensive!

You should have gone with EVOMS from the start to go that high.

 

Update: Got my car back this evening. Today is literally the last day of its original new car warranty and Roger Beasley Porsche in Austin took great care of me. Items addressed:

SAT Source not appearing - Re-coded and functional
System Failure Headlamp/PCM Failure- ABS Sensor replaced
Panic Button missing on 1 Key- New key ordered and will program when it arrives

My Service Advisor told me the car was in great shape and that I should be good to go until the 40K service. Fingers crossed that my Cayenne Pepper Car (as my 3-year old now calls it) is as reliable as my '08 535i was from here out.

Looking forward to my first road trip to San Antonio and back tomorrow.

 

I have a FMIC, no you don't need a IPD Plenum thing.... to make more power, maybe to look cool.

Why did I need a tune first? These are BASIC mods on any turbo car, including cayennes. Not going to go with evoms anyways.