WARNING: MF on Porsche modules

Deanski

Deanski

STUTTGART'S FINEST
URGENT READ FOR THOSE DETAILING 997 PORSCHE!



Use extreme caution with the static build-up with MF towels while cleaning up a Porsche 997!



There is a post on our forum RENNLIST in the 997 section about static build-up causing the front control modules which then fault the system. Mostly '05 year are effected and don't know about '06 yet.



Use of a MF towel by the headlamp area is the highest risk due to improper ESD shielding of the control module (a design flaw) and a electrical pathway in that area of the vehicle that travels from the front hood release mechnanism to the module itself. Symptoms manifest as "System Fault - Go To Workshop" displayed in the dash display and headlights/parking lights/interior dash lighting no longer function in response to use of the headlight switch but rather turn on and off seemingly randomly. Others have claimed the hood latch can also release spontaneously (although the saftey catch prevents this from being a catastrophic event should that be true).



So you may want to switch to 100% cotton towels around the headlamp area and on the hood.



You have been warned! :mad:



Regards,

Deanski
 
Sounds like they need an electrical bond wire somewhere. Sometimes these are just stupid problems where two parts need to be electrically conductive but one part gets painted or something, and then the static discharge has no way to dissipate but through the device, instead of the rest of the chassis. Do they have a fix for it?
 
wow, glad i keep reminding myself that my $56,000 corvette is o.k. and not to spend $100,000+ plus for a little german boy!!!!
 
jimmie jam said:
wow, glad i keep reminding myself that my $56,000 corvette is o.k. and not to spend $100,000+ plus for a little german boy!!!!
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I'm sure Corvette's aren't free of faults.



But, yeah.. I guess that could become a problem.
 
Quickstrike said:
I'm sure Corvette's aren't free of faults.



But, yeah.. I guess that could become a problem.
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hey, all cars have problems..including corvettes!!!! but the point is that if you spend that kind of money for a car, and they are sweet, you would think they have "figured" those types of problems out! :nervous2:
 
Good Lord, it sure must take some aggressive rubbing to generate enough static electricity to cause these problems!



While I am no fan of polyester towels I find it hard to believe that normal use would do that.
 
I believe the discharge is from the stored MF towel and the user grounding themselves enough to make dischage happen.



It's been discussed on other "P" car forums. It's got the attention of PCNA.



Good thing '06 has yet to be affected. My C2S has finished production on 3/15! :woot: I'm waiting for a boat now and delivery soon in April! :clap:



I know this is one odd issue, but I'm requesting more details now and will post as they come. In the mean time, use caution.



Deanski
 
DFTowel said:
Good Lord, it sure must take some aggressive rubbing to generate enough static electricity to cause these problems!



While I am no fan of polyester towels I find it hard to believe that normal use would do that.
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Actually, the voltages that current computer circuitry run on are quite small (3-5 volts) while a static discharge that you could create from walking across a dry, carpeted floor is quite large (25,000 volts). In today's world of manufacturing, there is quite a bit of thought that goes into static control/dissipation, and properly designed electronic enclosures ensure that out in the world the components survive. But like anything, design or mfg/quality problems can result in the situation with this Porsche.
 
Deanski, please email that link. I went online and couldnt find it.....Im way too familiar with that issue.......Its happened to 4 Carreras Ive detailed. Even after warning the owners, I was told not to worry, they thought I was crazy, but when they got in and saw the issue light up on the dash, well.......lol
 
Deanski said:
URGENT READ FOR THOSE DETAILING 997 PORSCHE!



Use extreme caution with the static build-up with MF towels while cleaning up a Porsche 997!



There is a post on our forum RENNLIST in the 997 section about static build-up causing the front control modules which then fault the system. Mostly '05 year are effected and don't know about '06 yet.



Use of a MF towel by the headlamp area is the highest risk due to improper ESD shielding of the control module (a design flaw) and a electrical pathway in that area of the vehicle that travels from the front hood release mechnanism to the module itself. Symptoms manifest as "System Fault - Go To Workshop" displayed in the dash display and headlights/parking lights/interior dash lighting no longer function in response to use of the headlight switch but rather turn on and off seemingly randomly. Others have claimed the hood latch can also release spontaneously (although the saftey catch prevents this from being a catastrophic event should that be true).



So you may want to switch to 100% cotton towels around the headlamp area and on the hood.



You have been warned! :mad:



Regards,



Deanski
Click to expand...





If the MF is wet is should not be an ESD hazard. Any material either cotton or polyester will cause static build up when dry.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
...In today's world of manufacturing, there is quite a bit of thought that goes into static control/dissipation...
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Apparently not at Porsche.



(Sorry, I couldn’t resist that charged comment.)





PC.
 
You actually hear the hood latch lock when it happens, kind of scarry actually when its not your 100K car............I wonder if Jason worte that article because he had a he** of a time getting it fixed right. If my memory serves me correctly, someone from Germany came out to his Porsche dealer to resolve the problem......



No ill effects with this one although the latch did engage.

after_1.jpg




This is the one that started it all with me....

JF997CarreraSaftr_rszd.jpg




No problems with this one, although I did have the owner check when I heard the hood engage.

Money_shot.jpg




Nothing here with the Cabriolet, but that was a very cool and and humid day, so that may have played a role...

DSCF0017.jpg




Same house as above, and nice and cool with better then average humidity, again, no module issues, plus the front 1/2 including the headlights had 3M protection kits.

DSCF00112.jpg




Nothing on this one........(This job almost made me quit detailing)

Black, swirled to he**, and hotter then he** outside also.....

after_hood2.jpg




And last but not least, with the same results as the one that started it all, "Program error, Contact dealer" or whatever the heck it says on the dash. And this guy was a rather large Russian, who went by the name "Borris"....I left a little uncomfortable to say the least, but I did cover my arse, by informing him beforehand that when I polish and clean the front headlight area, it may send a msg to the computer which will tell you to see the dealer. Well, it did, he said "Ahhhh, so vhat, I take it to dealer when i have time" (In my best Russian accent)

gargae.jpg
 
hello - I hate to revive this, but this happened to me today as I was polishing my headlights - I'm wondering if anyone has a fix for this? I'll have to take the car to the dealer, however I'd like to give him something to work from to fix the issue. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.



The issue is "[Electrical] System Fault - Visit Workshop". And it sucks.
 
a.k.a. Patrick said:
Nothing on this one........(This job almost made me quit detailing)

Black, swirled to he**, and hotter then he** outside also.....
Click to expand...



God, do I know what youre talking about.



I did a Black Boxter that needed a perfect finish.



Took me 9 hours. I almost threw in the towel.
 
quit showing off . . . . j/k - nice work there . . .



thanks for the warning too Deanski - I have yet to do any porsches, but its always better to know...



because knowledge is power!!!! - family guy
 
dezigns said:
hello - I hate to revive this, but this happened to me today as I was polishing my headlights - I'm wondering if anyone has a fix for this? I'll have to take the car to the dealer, however I'd like to give him something to work from to fix the issue. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.



The issue is "[Electrical] System Fault - Visit Workshop". And it sucks.
Click to expand...



OK, being a "P" car owner, let me ask... What model? 996, 997??



Are you a member of RENTECH.ORG? They have all TIBS and other issues listed. Are you a member of RENNLIST?



The visit work shop warning can be caused by many things but the most common cause right now is a bad front end control unit. The problem manifests it self as faults for the front trunk latch, although there is nothing wrong with it. There is an updated control unit and Porsche has technical information about it.



Let the shop know that all you did was wipe down the car. It's the front unit which they will replace. I can't find the TSB on it though!



Regards,



Deanski
 
thanks Deanski - i have a 987S, and took it to my dealer. evidently there had been quite a lineup of people that had the same occurence, from wiping wax off the car. they replaced the front control module, and everything is fine. thanks again-
 
You're welcome!



So far, it hasn't happened to my C2S, but what I thought was the issue turned out to be the key fob in my pocket getting activated.



Also, I have Armorglove paint film on the headlights, hood etc. So this may shield it to some extent.



D
 
This may seem silly, but....



Electricity seeks ground. Wouldn't removing a shoe and keeping a bare foot on the ground while polshing the headlight and hood assemblies on a Porsche with MF toweling disspate the charge of static electricty that is causing all of the problems?
 
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