Very Weird 964 ?Electrical? problem
 

Well, I haven't had a single major problem with my 964 until now...

I was all excited about going to a Driver's Ed event in Savannah next month, but now I'm a little worried about my car.

I left the shop and was driving to school, the engine was just about warm, and I was shifting from 2nd to 3rd at 2900 RPMs. As soon as I pushed the clutch pedal in, the master caution light came on and then every single warning light on the gauges came on... parking brake, spoiler, brake pads, fan belt, battery, you name it, the warning light came on. The engine never died though, I might have understood this if the engine had died, but it didn't. As I let the clutch out after moving into 3rd, the warning lights all went out, but the master caution stayed on. Again, I could have understood this if the engine had died, and I'd just ended up popping the clutch and restarting it by shifting, but I'm 99.999% sure that the engine did not die, and i'm positive I would have heard and noticed that if it had happened.

I was able to turn the caution light off with the console switch, and it didn't come back, and nothing else happend. Granted I've only driven 5 miles since it happened though. If anyone has any ideas what this might have been I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Andrew

Andrew, Interesting, there is an similar thread over on the Rennlist BBS right now. The general consensus is it is probably the ignition switch being worn out. Do you have a heavy key chain? Try jiggling the key while you running and see wha t happens.

No, I don't have a heavy keychain specifically because my boss/mechanic warned me about that being a problem and wearing the ignition switches out... granted it is an 11 year old car, it could just be going bad. I'll try jiggling the keys on my way home today and see if anything happens. Ignition switches are kind of expensive, but I guess that would be a better alternative to an engine or major electrical problem.

Also just for laughs, check your battery terminals. Remember, check the obvious stuff first...

Checked the battery terminals, no luck there. I couldn't duplicate the problem either. I tried moving the key around while driving, and playing with the switch, but nothing happened... maybe it was just a glitch... who knows, but if it happens again, I'll start trying to track down the problem a little more dilligently.

Did you let the car rev up when you engaged the clutch? You might have overloaded the circuits. Was it dark outside? I'm just thinking that the sun could have caused a glare that made the lights appear to be on.

Good luck.

check charging voltage to see if it stays between 13.8 and 14.2, or goes higher.

Hmmm, no I didn't add gas until letting the clutch out, and yes I'm positive every warning light came out... lol, we're awaiting Hurricane Isabelle here, so the skies are pretty dark

The battery is fine, everyone that works at the shop checked their batteries today because today was the day we placed new orders for batteries, so by coincidence I know my battery is fine. I was hoping the terminals had been loosened and I'd forgotten, but they were tight. So, it probably was the ignition switch, but it still hasn't done it again. I'm about to go for a 30mi drive, so we'll see if anything strange happens.

Perchance you don't have a lightweight flywheel?

no, the car just has the stock dual mass flywheel

It may also be the "Christmas Tree" effect caused by the spark plugs breaking. I described this several years back on Rennlist. It can be seen on their list of selected articles.
Bill Leonard

You just reminded me, failing plug wires can also cause this.

Thanks guys, I'll check out the plugs and wires on Monday and see if anything weird is going on there. It hasn't happened again yet though, which i guess is a good sign.

Hi wasintime. Did ou ever solve the issue? I have a 1990 964 and exactly the same ting happened to me.