what does this light mean?

tahoward · 09-22-2000, 10:15 AM

Just started to go for a ride and the light on the left hand side of the tach gauge came on- bright yellow. Have seen it flicker before, but never stay on. So instead of enjoying a sunny day in Ohio, I'm looking for help. Thanks. Terry

bowlsby · 09-22-2000, 12:32 PM

The 914 tachs have green turnsignal lights at the top and a high beam headlight (blue) at the bottom...no yellow lights on any I've ever seen...

Please clarify...

paulhagedorn · 09-22-2000, 02:43 PM

Fuel idiot light saying, please add fuel!!!

lol sorry for the smart-ass response, but that is the only yellow light i know of. try going around a gradual right hand turn...maybe it is a left hand...but think it is right...with a quarter tank or less and watch the fuel gauge.

Paul

HMeeder · HMeeder's Garage

Terry- I actually have the same question. I bought my '74 914 a month ago and have the same symptom (My turn signal indicator is yellow and to the upper left of the tach, blue high beam light is to the upper right, fuel reserve light is on the left side of the fuel gauge) Now, my turn indicator may have faded over the years having started out green. Since I bought the car, the indicator burns a uniform pale yellow whenever the car is running and blinks brighter when signalling. I had thought that I have a electrical "leak" somewhere. So far the car holds a charge and starts every time I turn the key. If it is a short of some sort, I'll track it down eventually.

[This message has been edited by HMeeder (edited 09-23-2000).]

tahoward · 09-23-2000, 07:12 AM

Thanks for the various replies. Its definately yellow and is between the turn signal arrow on the tach. Those Porsche boys must have changed quite a few things as production went along with all of your varying replies. Thanks again. It looks like a puzzle to be solved, hopefully.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

If it a light on the tachometer....it is NOT a low fuel warning....the low fuel warning is on the fuel gauge on the left side....duh....!

The tach in the middle,....warning lights are either turn signals or high/low beam.....the OTHER light(s) on the fuel gauge are low oil or low voltage for the alternator.....

At least on the 914s I have owned.....
http://members.home.net/mtz1/index.html

There is a pic of my instrument gauges...

mejulihn · mejulihn's Garage

What year is your 914? That might help us. Is it possible your tach has been replaced with one that is not stock for the 914? My '76 tach has a green turn signal indicator and a blue high beam indicator.

[This message has been edited by mejulihn (edited 09-23-2000).]

paulhagedorn · 09-23-2000, 05:30 PM

wow, now don't i feel like a horse's ass. i didn't even see that it said tachometer. as for what the light is....i still am clueless.

sorry for the previous response, but hey, i guess we all make mistakes sometimes.
Paul

HMeeder · HMeeder's Garage

Well, to add to this tach chatter... Paternie's "How to restore and modify your Porsche 914" goes into some depth about the instruments for the various years and indicates that the turn signal indicator was changed from 2 green arrows to a single round yellow light (why? couldn't begin to tell you)and the high beam indicator was also moved on the dial. According to the book these changes occured in '74. The mystery about why the light is constantly on is still unsolved and mine being on bothers me. I thought for a while that it was supposed to be on all the time, but it just doesn't make sense so I will keep looking for my solution also.

TFI · 09-24-2000, 08:47 AM

if it IS the turn signal;
do you think it could be the relay causing it to stay on?
or a combination of the relay and the turn signal switch?

tahoward · 09-24-2000, 02:32 PM

Thanks for all of your input on the mysterious glowing yellow light. My car is a 74. Just when you think you've got the car sorted out something else pops up. I was afraid it was oil pressure. At least I have a place to start my hunt. Thanks again. Terry

PeteD · PeteD's Garage

There is the European parking light circuit on the 914s. The way this works is if you leave the turn signal down or up (left or right) when you turn off the ignition key, the appropriate side marker lights (right or left), both front and rear, will remain on. These are low current draw bulbs which provide just enough light so that the side of your car which is in the road when parking parallel on narrow European side streets, is visible to approaching cars. When this circuit is on, the yellow light will also be on. This circuit however should not work when the engine is running (assuming it is running with the ignition key turned on...) Get out of the car and see if these marker lights are on (may have to do this in the garage or at night as they are hardly visible during the day). If the marker lights on one side or other are on when you have the engine running, you need to start tracing the schematic and looking for a short. Also make sure your relay is completely plugged in.

Good luck!