Idiot lights that stay on when engine started?

[itzbob46]

Today when I started the 986 the batt idiot light stayed on while I drove away. I stopped and reastarted the engine and it was normal again. Later the same night the oil pressure light did the same thing, and again it was out when I restarted the engine. I have ample oil.

Any ideas?

[Sboxin]

Today when I started the 986 the batt idiot light stayed on while I drove away. I stopped and reastarted the engine and it was normal again. Later the same night the oil pressure light did the same thing, and again it was out when I restarted the engine. I have ample oil.

Any ideas?

Others may have a more experienced answer, but from what I've read here (and on other boards)

this symptom usually leads to a failing ignition switch - the electrical part on the back side of the key.

You might search on this and find an easy (and inexpensive) solution to the problem.

Take care,

Ed

[1schoir]

Today when I started the 986 the batt idiot light stayed on while I drove away. I stopped and reastarted the engine and it was normal again. Later the same night the oil pressure light did the same thing, and again it was out when I restarted the engine. I have ample oil.

Any ideas?

Bob:

I agree, it sounds like the beginning of a failing ignition switch.

I got two oem switches (one spare because of all the stories here and elsewhere) from FCP Groton for $32.00 total, shipped. Number is (860) 445-7340, ask for "Scott".

Regards, Maurice.

[itzbob46]

Thanks guys.... Next time I see this thing happen I'll give the key a little wiggle and see if it changes anythjing. If so, we found the culprit.

Bob

[Chris_in_NH]

Thanks guys.... Next time I see this thing happen I'll give the key a little wiggle and see if it changes anythjing. If so, we found the culprit.

Bob

if it *is* the ignition switch, wiggling the key probably won't do anything.

also FYI, www.AutohausAZ.com sells the ignition switch for $10.

[itzbob46]

A few of you have cited the ignition switch as the reason that the oil pressure and alternator (batt) indicators are on, when there are not related problems.

I had recently installed an HID conversion and when I switch on my headlights the incicators come on, necessitating stopping and restarting to correct it. I blamed the HID kit, but it seems that I'm the only person that has had this problem after installing the HIDs, so now I'm wondering if it is really just the ignition switch after all. Perhaps the HIDs are drawing just a bit more starting amps and the falulty switch reacts somehow.

I am at a loss here. Changing the switch is perhaps a good idea anyway, since they are a weak item that will likely fail soon anyway. How much labor is involved to do this DIY job?

Bob

[Chris_in_NH]

I am at a loss here. Changing the switch is perhaps a good idea anyway, since they are a weak item that will likely fail soon anyway. How much labor is involved to do this DIY job?

changing the ignition switch is pretty simple, you just need to be flexible and have the right tool (a stubby screwdriver). here's a link to instructions. http://industryfigure.com/berkeley/Porsche...itionswitch.htm

[olianderson]

A few of you have cited the ignition switch as the reason that the oil pressure and alternator (batt) indicators are on, when there are not related problems.

I had recently installed an HID conversion and when I switch on my headlights the incicators come on, necessitating stopping and restarting to correct it. I blamed the HID kit, but it seems that I'm the only person that has had this problem after installing the HIDs, so now I'm wondering if it is really just the ignition switch after all. Perhaps the HIDs are drawing just a bit more starting amps and the falulty switch reacts somehow.

I am at a loss here. Changing the switch is perhaps a good idea anyway, since they are a weak item that will likely fail soon anyway. How much labor is involved to do this DIY job?

Bob

Hi Bob, did you ever resolve this? I have the same problem - installed HIDs and now usually (not always but more often than not) when I switch the lights on, the battery and oil warning lights come on - Quite annoying!

[itzbob46]

A few of you have cited the ignition switch as the reason that the oil pressure and alternator (batt) indicators are on, when there are not related problems.

I had recently installed an HID conversion and when I switch on my headlights the incicators come on, necessitating stopping and restarting to correct it. I blamed the HID kit, but it seems that I'm the only person that has had this problem after installing the HIDs, so now I'm wondering if it is really just the ignition switch after all. Perhaps the HIDs are drawing just a bit more starting amps and the falulty switch reacts somehow.

I am at a loss here. Changing the switch is perhaps a good idea anyway, since they are a weak item that will likely fail soon anyway. How much labor is involved to do this DIY job?

Bob

Hi Bob, did you ever resolve this? I have the same problem - installed HIDs and now usually (not always but more often than not) when I switch the lights on, the battery and oil warning lights come on - Quite annoying!

Glad to hear that I'm not alone!!! What vendor did you use for your HIDs. Are you certain that the hot and ground were properly identified and connected? I researched this carefully, but I still wonder if an error was made. Are there decent instructions for the HIDs that you used? I've written the vendor numerous times. They did not respond to my last inquiry. I think that they are meatball electric systems designers!!!

We have to solve this very annoying and odd problem.

Bob

[olianderson]

A few of you have cited the ignition switch as the reason that the oil pressure and alternator (batt) indicators are on, when there are not related problems.

I had recently installed an HID conversion and when I switch on my headlights the incicators come on, necessitating stopping and restarting to correct it. I blamed the HID kit, but it seems that I'm the only person that has had this problem after installing the HIDs, so now I'm wondering if it is really just the ignition switch after all. Perhaps the HIDs are drawing just a bit more starting amps and the falulty switch reacts somehow.

I am at a loss here. Changing the switch is perhaps a good idea anyway, since they are a weak item that will likely fail soon anyway. How much labor is involved to do this DIY job?

Bob

Hi Bob, did you ever resolve this? I have the same problem - installed HIDs and now usually (not always but more often than not) when I switch the lights on, the battery and oil warning lights come on - Quite annoying!

Glad to hear that I'm not alone!!! What vendor did you use for your HIDs. Are you certain that the hot and ground were properly identified and connected? I researched this carefully, but I still wonder if an error was made. Are there decent instructions for the HIDs that you used? I've written the vendor numerous times. They did not respond to my last inquiry. I think that they are meatball electric systems designers!!!

We have to solve this very annoying and odd problem.

Bob

I bought the "Ultimate" set from HIDS4U.co.uk. They were the most expensive ones as they were supposed to be designed for post 2002 cars to avoid electronic issues such as lamp-out warning lights! (Clearly not designed as well as they thought they were!) I called the vendor and they said they have never heard of this before and that they should work perfectly with my 2003 Carrera2, they seemed willing to help and suggested that I test them individually by putting one original halogen bulb back in at a time and seeing if the problem still occurs. I couldn't be bothered to put the bulb back in to be honest so I just tried pulling each headlight out of its connector and trying that way - it still happened. I suppose I ought to try exactly what they suggested! (I'll do it today!)

I've been getting round it by trying to remember to put the lights on before starting the car - its a pain in the neck though and having two lights on is really distracting. I'll let you know how I get on by putting the original bulbs back in

Cheers

Oli

[itzbob46]

Oli ~~

"just tried pulling each headlight out of its connector". What do you mean when you say this??? Do you mean leaving the HID setup in tact and just pulling the bulbs out?

Your car is a 2003 Carrera? Interesting that the problem is the same as with a 2001 Boxster.

Looking forward your experiment's results. In my car, once the lights have been on, I'd have to wait half of a day to do an experiment with original bulbs since the HIDs work fine without idiot lights coming on when they have been recently operated.

Bob