Thanks for the updates. Sucks, but maybe it was really just a fluke and you're fine!

 

Sounds like that is one incompetent mechanic!

 

I had that same error and in my case it was related to the one of the vacuum pumps in the aftermarket exhaust not holding pressure. Do you have any modifications or is your car stock?

 

No, my exhaust is stock, and not even PSE.

The error message is back after about 400 miles So it's good I didn't cancel the appointment.

 

Mine behaved the same way... I would clear it and then it would come back much later. It didn't affect driving at all. Let us know what the issue ends up being.

 

They attributed it to a certain vacuum valve and it costed me $600+ to fix.

300 miles later the message is back. Exactly like it did after reset. So basically they didn't fix anything (((((((((((((((

Looks like those German engineers made car so complex - techs have no idea how to fix it. Dealership mechanic told me they have ton of those faults on recent 911, and the service guy told me that they have another 13 Boxster coming for repairs with exact same problem right after mine. So brace yourself guys.

 

I had something very similar on my old 991.1 C4S - For me (Chicago based) I first noticed that my heater didn't work, then after a few days started getting this message... It was a loose vacuum line, or bad vacuum valve - fixed under warranty and message was gone for good, and heater worked like a champ! The cooling system is used for many things in these cars, but check if your heater works next time you have the message!

 

My heater works fine and my a/c works fine. Use them every day!

Message stays, car is fine, don't want to loose my car for a week in a middle of wonderful summer, so procrastinating with my next dealer visit. Honestly, I'm just afraid and sad - I pretty much understand they have no clue what's going on. Since I asked them multiple times last time - and they said - yes, sure, we are absolutely positive we detected the cause and fixed it. That fix lasted only 300 miles.

 

Any good indie shops near you? You may want to try a pair of fresh eyes for a different perspective.


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Subscribed...

 

Thanks all for the messages and info.
I got the fault this morning on my 981 CS...dealer wont get to it until middle of next week :-(
I have PSE added, using Porcshe parts other than vacuum control (went with remote control unit)...I am wondering after reading all this is I have a vacuum leak somewhere in the mix.
PSE valves have been working properly for over 500 miles.
I have been considering going back to my stock exhaust due to the PDK drone - even wiht PSE....
I guess I will have to see what the dealer says.

 

Thanks all for the messages and info.
I got the fault this morning on my 981 CS...dealer wont get to it until middle of next week :-(
I have PSE added, using Porcshe parts other than vacuum control (went with remote control unit)...I am wondering after reading all this is I have a vacuum leak somewhere in the mix.
PSE valves have been working properly for over 500 miles.
I have been considering going back to my stock exhaust due to the PDK drone - even wiht PSE....
I guess I will have to see what the dealer says.

I am surprised that there is a drone with PDK and PSE, is this when the valves are open or closed? I have a MT but have noted no such drone...

 

The good news is - the car is running fine with this message. So no need to rush into the dealer's. The bad news is - they have no idea how to fix it...

 

Did you ever get a resolution to the error message? I am seeing the same message after an indie replaced my coolant. Car is running perfect, coolant level remains at max and no overtemp issues. Really hate to take it to the dealer but also don't like to continually see that error message.

 

Got my car back yesterday - vacuum hose was disconnected, quick simple warranty fix. I had brake fluid flush completed while it was there.
Drone...loudest with windows up, pse open, next is pse closed (off), least with windows open. Mostly annoying at about 66-75 in 7th (sub2000rpm) with light load on engine...down shift to 6th, 3000rpm -no prob
I just got the Cobb PDK upgrade!
Wow...sport mode keeps it in 6th on the freeway...so far so good, only about 16mile test so far

 

Now you need something to keep the car in sports mode!

 

When the fault light came on, did that rightmost analogue gauge suddenly pop out of the dash too? What is that thing?

 

That's not my picture, I just googled it as I didn't have the the pic to illustrate. I only have 3 gauges on my 981

 

So the snow finally cleared here in Michigan, and I took the car to the dealer, and they are saying it's a vacuum pump fail now, and I need to pay another $650. They are sure that last time it was a vacuum sensor problem, and the fact that same error message came back immediately is purely a coincidence! I kinda don't believe in such a coincidences costing me $650 every time. What do I do?

 

I know this is an old post but putting info in regards to the fix that worked for me. Same warning, it wasn't a vacuum pump , of the change over valves but a bad brake booster. Replaced it and the fault issue was fixed.

 

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verb
past tense: hoodwinked; past participle: hoodwinked

• deceive or trick (someone).
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Besides the pump, the vacuum electric change over valves have been a problem. They work by opening/closing a valve to vacuum, but when turned off, they have to vent to the air to remove the vacuum. There have been several redesigns over the years to protect the vent port on the valve. Historically, water would get into the vent and prevent the vacuum from escaping. Very early 991s were under a recall to replace all (up to 8) of these valves as Porsche uses them for A/C, cooling of engine, and transmission (PDK). The valves are under $100 each, so $550 labor to change one seems excessive to me.

V6

 

Seem excessive to me too. I guess I'll try to take it to PCNA. I'm pretty sure it was pump all the way. And the vacuum sensor change for $650 was just a usual dealer horror story. The probability of two things failing few days from one another, with exactly same error message is NULL.

By the way, the seemingly unrelated effect of vacuum pump fail was faded brakes feel. Very dangerous. Sometimes on the parking lot I'd press brakes and car just keep rolling, until I panickily apply much more pressure! I changed the brakes (they needed change anyway) and flushed brake fluid, twice and still couldn't get the firm brake feel, so I mentioned it this time, and turns out it's directly related to the pump.

 

I got that screen message recently, checked the coolant and it took 6 ounces only and I kept driving the car and no leaks I could find and the level did not go down; nor did the temp gauges read differently. I took it to the dealer anyway. I picked it up Friday and the "coolant regulator for the transmission cooler" had been replaced. I did not even know the car had one, being a manual transmission (I can imagine a cooler on a race car or heavy commercial/towing use, but other than that...) Anyway, parts 9P1-317-233 and 000-043-305-75 if anyone is interested.

Car seems fine now (frankly, it seemed fine before) and no warning. But that day the wife's battery failed on her Honda S2000 (8 year old battery), had to replace that and am waiting for an appointment to have the charging system checked just to be safe. So, she drives to the office and the battery in her fob (also 8 years old) to the Boxster dies and she could not start the car. unrelated, but when it rains, it pours.