How long should it take for a Spoiler/PSM Failure fault to clear after

[jfoxny]

Recently made the move from a 2005 987.1 to a 2006 997.1. Had the car inspected by Porsche prior to purchasing it. Previous owner told me that the PSM/Spoiler Failures started after he recently put a new battery in it. The Porsche tech who did the PPI also noted the faults but said that there were no error codes. I've read that these failures are common after a battery change, however, it's been going on for some time now.

The failure seems to happen when hitting a bump (I think usually at high speeds). Sometimes it's both a Spoiler Failure followed by a PSM Failure and other times it's just a PSM Failure. When the car is restarted the fault clears.

My question is, how long will this continue or is there something else going on?

Thanks in advance,

Jason

[jfoxny]

At the dealer now getting it looked at. Spoiler Failure/PSM Failure went off again on my way here Also, after the failure went off a message came up saying to bring it in for service and the car wouldn't rev over 3000 RPM. I'm guessing it went into some sort of "limp mode."

After a restart rev'ing was back to normal but the PSM failure stayed on. The techs said there are no error codes and seem to be at a loss. The failure has happened at least a dozen times since I got the thing on Friday.

I've read that a "brake switch" can cause the PSM problem if coupled with an ABS failure, but, I haven't seen anything about a PSM + Spoiler failure.

Any ideas anyone?

Edited May 8, 2012 by jfoxny

[jfoxny]

Fault went off again this morning. I brought it to the dealer and left the car running so that they could scan it while the fault was active. Bad PSM control unit. $3500 but should be covered under my Fidelity Platinum warranty. Glad we got to the bottom of that finally.

[Loren]

I would be curious to know what fault it came up - if you get a chance please ask them.

[jfoxny]

I would be curious to know what fault it came up - if you get a chance please ask them.

Ok, I'm bringing the car back in on Monday to leave it with them for a few days. Warranty company wants to "inspect" the vehicle before paying out. Service manager said they'd show them the scan output. I'll ask them when I drop it off on Monday.

Jason

[jfoxny]

I would be curious to know what fault it came up - if you get a chance please ask them.

Hi Loren,

I'm going to get the print out today when I get the car.

So, the warranty company will not cover the claim unless THEY can reproduce it. They drove the car for seven miles but the fault did not show up - probably because they were driving on smooth roads. I can reliably get the fault to throw on my drive to work everyday since the road is bad. It seems that the fault only throws when PSM is activated. So now I have to figure out how to reproduce the problem reliably, tell a tech (because they won't test drive it with me - only with a tech) and hope the tech can reproduce the issue with the adjuster in the car. :censored:

Do you (or anyone) know how to reliably activate PSM so these dopes can see the fault in action? Are there any tricks? There is a set of railroad tracks near the dealership and I'm thinking if you hit those at speed it should trigger PSM. Going to try that today after I pick-up the car.

Thanks,

Jason

[phillipj]

Oh man... Gotta love warranty companies. I hope you get this sorted..

[jfoxny]

I would be curious to know what fault it came up - if you get a chance please ask them.

Got the print out. There are a few faults listed. These faults were just from the PSM Failure (not the Spoiler Failure). Can you decipher these / provide any guidance on how to reproduce?

Control Unit, Priority, Fault memo, Status, Description
PSM, 1, C101, ACTIVE, Control unit faulty (No fault symptom available)
PSM, 1, C150, ACTIVE, Communication DME control unit (drive) (No fault symptom available)
PSM, 1, C153, ACTIVE, Communication steering wheel electronics unit (drive) (No fault symptom available)
SEAT MEMORY, 1, C152, ACTIVE, Communication PSM control unit (drive)
DRIVER'S DOOR, 1, C174, PASSIVE, Fault, convertible top control unit (comfort) (Signal implausible)
PASSENGER'S DOOR, 5, C174, PASSIVE, Fault, convertible top control unit (comfort) (Signal implausible)

The part that needs to be replaced is: 997-355-955-06

Edited May 16, 2012 by jfoxny

[Loren]

I do not see anything int he PSM circuitry that would trigger a spoiler failure.

I wonder if they also reprogrammed the rear control unit too?

Sounds like two different issues.

[jfoxny]

I do not see anything int he PSM circuitry that would trigger a spoiler failure.

I wonder if they also reprogrammed the rear control unit too?

Sounds like two different issues.

They actually didn't do anything at all since the warranty company won't cover it without seeing the fault for themselves live in the car. The spoiler fault would show up right before the PSM Failure, like immediately before. When I brought it to the dealership and they scanned the car while the fault was up only the PSM Failure was present at that time. Sometimes I get two faults, Spoiler + PSM, and other times I get just the PSM Fault.

[Loren]

Well, if I were working on the car I would reprogram the front rear control units and see if that does not take care of it.

997-1 had a number of quirky that could cause odd not real faults - and in 99% of the cases a reprogram fixed it.

[jfoxny]

Well, if I were working on the car I would reprogram the front rear control units and see if that does not take care of it.

997-1 had a number of quirky that could cause odd not real faults - and in 99% of the cases a reprogram fixed it.

Interesting. I will ask them about that. So you don't think that it's a faulty AS ABS Hydraulic Unit Pump (997-355-955-06)?

That's what they told me and that's what I'm trying to get the warranty company to pay for.

[Loren]

Could be but I would try re-programming first.

[jfoxny]

Could be but I would try re-programming first.

What exactly is "re-programming" of the front and rear control units? Is that like resetting the variables in the computer to factory settings or is it upgrading the firmware or something else?

[Loren]

Could be but I would try re-programming first.

What exactly is "re-programming" of the front and rear control units? Is that like resetting the variables in the computer to factory settings or is it upgrading the firmware or something else?

Exactly - they re-program the module using a PIWIS tester and it uploads the latest firmware and then checks it for consistency. Less than 1 hours work.

[jfoxny]

Exactly - they re-program the module using a PIWIS tester and it uploads the latest firmware and then checks it for consistency. Less than 1 hours work.

Gotcha, ok. The fault happened on start-up today in the garage. I was hoping maybe it would stay on but when I restarted the car it cleared again.

[wvicary]

I agree with Loren about having the units reprogrammed but I would also verify the battery and main cable connections are sound. Never hurts to check the basics first.

[jfoxny]

I agree with Loren about having the units reprogrammed but I would also verify the battery and main cable connections are sound. Never hurts to check the basics first.

According to the previous owner this started happening after the battery was replaced. Could it be that simple?! I'm going to check this later, though, I assume the techs would have checked this at Porsche.

[wvicary]

I would never assume they checked it. I always cover the basics first to eliminate them.

[jfoxny]

I would never assume they checked it. I always cover the basics first to eliminate them.

Battery connections appear tight. I'm going to ask the dealer about reprogramming the front and rear control units.

[jeffurnes]

I am replying to this post due to a chronic problem with the computer(s) on my 2008 C2S.

Everytime I drive the car ona track day, I get a limp mode when I start to drive quickly. ( Not sliding and bouncing off berms, just a good pace). The codes are different each day but will repeat after a reset on the same day:

1. Code: "Traction (four five word in between) Implausible" Multiple time in a two day period. I eventually gave up on the track of the car at that point. Reset at the track by professionals on site with a Porsche code reader

2. Code: "Steering Angle Sensor" two times in one day, and I abandoned the track day. Reset at track by Pros w/Porsche code reader.

3, Code: "engine Fault see dealer" One time and I left the track and drove to the dealer. Dealer stated limp mode caused be a momentary rich condition on both cylinder banks.

4. Code: " Traction control" Reset at the track by professionals on site with a Porsche code reader.

*Never a problem on the street

*Codes are always able to be cleared w/o a problem by the code reader/reset

[jfoxny]

At the dealership now. Tech will try reprogramming the front and rear control units. I'll update the post after a few weeks, unless of course, the fault happens before then.

[jfoxny]

Tech said that the re-programming "wouldn't take" and that the software was already up-to-date. Does that make sense?

Any other ideas on how to reproduce this? It's happened a few more times, but, I'm at a loss as to how to reproduce. I'm also a bit concerned that the ABS is not going to work when I need it. However, I do not want to shell out $4k of my own money to fix this when I have a $4k warranty that should cover it. :-/

Jason

Edited June 5, 2012 by jfoxny