diff lock light on, can you drive a C4 if the Front Diff fails?

[Samson]

I'm very new to the C4. I actually know nothing, but I'm thinking of buying a C4 with what may be front diff problems. ABS and warning lights come on a lot but car seems to drive fine and AWD works. I read some where that the Diff is hydrolicaly controled(thuse the ABS light) and is spendy to fix. But I'm wondering if you can still drive the car with it not function 100%. Like it will just be 2 wheel drive or something?
Sorry if this is a completely stupid question.
Samson

[Bill Verburg]

I would pass on that car until it has been fully repaired. The 964 AWD is a very complicated and expensive system.

[ilko]

Sounds like a hydraulic pump issue. That part costs $1800 new from the dealer or you can get one for $300 at a dismantler/salvage yard.

Either way I would not proceed with this purchase unless I knew exactly what the damage is and how much it would cost to fix it.

[Samson]

I appreciate the words of caution. It seems like a great deal on this car and I'm curious what's the worst that can happen. Pumps tied into brakes, I die, front axle locks when the diff finale goes, front end locks at 75mph-I die, nothing-my C4 becomes a C2 with an extra light in the dash.
Also I know the parts aren't cheap, but how hard is the work. I'm a DIY, but not with things that require $+K special tools and Porsche diagnostic equipment.
Thanks
Samson

[Bill Verburg]

While a 993 C4 can easily be chnged into a C2 a 964 C4 cannot be easily(or cheaply) be changed into a C2.

[ilko]

If your front differential goes south, the car becomes no-wheel drive. It's a headache any way you look at it.

[Garrett]

Spendy to fix? Could be as simple as blowing air on a sensor. Or bleeding the traction control hydraulic system. Or filling up your brake fluid reservoir all the way!

You need to read up on these cars before you consider purchasing one. They are extremely reliable but everyone thinks they're expensive time bombs - few have actually owned them! The front differential seldom, if ever, fails (I've never heard of one failing). It's about as likely as a C2 rear open differential failing - ever hear of it happen? The center differential can wear out, and so could the rear differential. If the hydraulic system involved with the traction control fails, you will not lose braking ability - the systems are separated from a hydraulic standpoint. They are combined electronically - so if ABS has a fault, then it as well as PDAS traction control shuts off.

They are fantastic cars, but you need to know what you're doing, or have a mechanic that is familiar with these cars - which is actually quite rare. There is a suprising amount of incorrect information about the C4, and a surprisingly few number of mechanics that can troubleshoot the cars properly - in these cases, it can get very expensive because "troubleshooting" usually involves "parts changing" which is not the right approach.

Good luck with the car, but hook it up to a diagnostic tester and figure out the error. It could be something simple - usually is!

[Bill Verburg]

yes, it could be simple and cheap to repair.

You feelin lucky these days?