Coolant Level Faults on a 2016 Targa 4S

Targa991 · 08-04-2016, 09:51 AM

I searched the forum and didn't seem to find anything related to what I have going on with my car. I have a 2016 Targa 4S and it has become somewhat of a sore subject lately because while it is my favorite of all the Porsche's that I've owned, it has now become the one with the most problems (not to mention the most expensive one I've owned).

Flashback to June 15th and I was driving along a freeway, about to exit onto the feeder. All of a sudden I get a Red Fault that said "Engine Coolant Low, Do Not Drive". The analog gauge pegs into the red and I immediately pull over and call Roadside Assistance to come get the car. It's taken to a dealership and diagnosed with a faulty coolant level sensor that will need to be replaced. They do not have one so they will have one overnighted and put in the car the next day. Next day, I get the car back and all seems well with the car.

Fast forward to yesterday and while I'm backing out of my driveway I get the exact same fault again. Same Red warning, same verbiage and same analog gauge that pegs into the red. While I know the car is safe to drive on I still have the car towed into the dealership because it has to be something different this time. I can't possibly have another bad sensor. I get to the dealer and sure enough the code that the fault displays says the same thing and the fix for this fault is to replace the coolant level sensor. Well to say I'm livid would be an understatement. You spend $150K on a car that has less than 3,000 miles on it you want it to be perfect, and it should be. I mean I just barely broke in the motor.

To add insult to injury, because this is the second occurrence for the same issue within 6 weeks they have to get PCNA involved. The dealership will not fix my car, let me say that again... They told me that they will not start the repairs on my car or move any further with my car until they get instructions from PCNA. When I asked how long a response will take they couldn't tell me. They said most likely it will be within a day but they don't have an estimate and therefore can't give me an estimate on when my car will be fixed.

I understand why they do this since this happens one more time I could argue the lemon law but that doesn't help me to get back on the road. I would love to hear from other members who might be having similar issues. Given how it seems there are others that are throwing similar codes with Targa's there might be an issue with the model, but I obviously want some resolution to this quickly. I refuse to believe this comes down to just a bad sensor. This happening once, maybe, but twice with the same "sensor" seems suspect to me. There has to be some other cause that my car is throwing this code.

I would love to hear from the membership on thoughts or suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Jdub · 08-04-2016, 01:37 PM

You want to post this query here: Porsche 996/997/991 Forum - Pelican Parts Technical BBS - you have the older air-cooled 911 forum. But leaving that aside I know there is a wealth of cross-over and more informed posters will answer.

It is frustrating, but not uncommon for new cars/models to fail parts early on in ownership. If it is going to break, it will early off, not by wear. That said, you want PCNA involved here - the dealership suspects a bigger issue that is outside of the part breaking, and they want some guidance (they are as frustrated as you are) Has PCNA seen this issue elsewhere? If so, what is the fix? Or, is this new and can you talk to Germany about replicating the issue and testing the fix?

So really you may be driving a test case - welcome to the wonderful world of Porsche! I would say they ought to make a driver available to you while they work this out, but for now you may have to accept they are trying to do the best thing for you and the car, and finally the dealership.

EDIT: Good luck and hang in there - you will get huge bonus points from your dealership by being patient and even humorous. They are on a spike here and are not allowed to stand up.

darrin · 08-04-2016, 02:10 PM

OP -- I presume your dealer has provided you with a suitable/appropriate (read comparable porsche) loaner car during this experience?

964TargaC2 · 08-04-2016, 02:22 PM

Back in 1988 my BMW 750il did the same thing. Dealer replaced water pump, hoses,sensor, radiator, overflo0w tank did everything and it still lit up. They finally replaced the coolant cap and problem was gone

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

For that price, stop playing around and get an attorney:

https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/cars

Some of our members are Attorney's, maybe they can chime in.

Break a Leg Brother, Don't let them procrastinate and waste your time. A firm letter from a law firm should push them the way they need to go.

Targa991 · 08-05-2016, 04:04 AM

Apologies for posting in the wrong forum. It was a long day yesterday and I honestly missed the sub-forum. I've been heavily searching this forum recently as I'm about to pull the trigger on an air-cooled Targa to go with my 2016 Targa and I just wasn't thinking. Sorry.

The dealership did give me a loaner and while not my cup of tea (Panamera) it is at least a Porsche. What's interesting to note is that someone was ahead of me at the service department when my car was towed in and they asked for a loaner to which my advisor replied they didn't have any. I was internally fuming at the notion of having to ask my pregnant wife to get in the car and come pick me up but when he got to me he pulled a demo off the lot and gave it to me. So yes, the dealer is taking care of me and doing their part, it's just frustrating when the car is so new.

I have done some internet searches on other forums and it seems that this issue has cropped up before however not exactly as what I'm experiencing. I thought I found the solution on one site with a combo faulty coolant level sensor and hairline crack in the coolant reservoir that leaks under pressure but they said they didn't see any signs of leaking.

I really don't want to have to go the route of hiring an attorney, I want cooler heads to prevail and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. It's the hurry up and wait that's killing me.

Mark Salvetti · 08-05-2016, 04:20 AM

I see that you posted over on the 991 forum at Rennlist. But did you see this thread? Seems like there may be some clues here:
Weird Coolant issue 991.2 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Mark

Targa991 · 08-05-2016, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Salvetti

I see that you posted over on the 991 forum at Rennlist. But did you see this thread? Seems like there may be some clues here:
Weird Coolant issue 991.2 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Mark

I did see that one, thanks! I actually forwarded it to my service tech to give them additional ideas. They can't find any leaks (assuming of course they are actually looking). I'm hoping to get some answers soon, this not knowing or hearing anything is one of the worst parts.

Targa991 · 08-05-2016, 09:37 AM

Latest update: PCNA has recommended that the same temperature sensor be replaced again as well as the coolant reservoir and the associated sensors that are built into the tank. Parts were ordered today and won't get to the dealership until Monday or Tuesday. Once they are installed they will do additional testing on the car so it looks like I won't get my car back until Tuesday or most likely Wednesday. Really irritating that they don't have these parts on hand but no amount of complaining is going to get the parts here faster.

I'll give another update once I have one.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Oh geez, well as long as they do not refuse to repair, there is not much that can be done. Dealer's attitude was very poor and not surprising.

Break a Leg Brother!