Just had this come up & "start/stop deactivated" on my 2012 981 3.4S.
Anyone else had this issue.
Anyone else had this issue.
PSM FAIL warning light
- Thread starter BoxsterLL11
- Start date
elstonc
New member
Maybe it's the famous 'sticking brake pedal' problem. If you're not familiar, the brake pedal bush gets tight and the brake stays slightly on. If it's really bad you notice the loss of power. That de-activates the PSM. Does it also say 'drive with care' or words to that effect? It's a type fault but not one that Porsche seem to think warrants a re-call.
Yes, the message is PSM FAIL continue to drive with care.
Then just as I was reversing on the drive, the start/stop message came up.
Searched the web, the brake switch seems to be the common cause.
Its still under warranty so am taking to my local OPC tomorrow.
Then just as I was reversing on the drive, the start/stop message came up.
Searched the web, the brake switch seems to be the common cause.
Its still under warranty so am taking to my local OPC tomorrow.
Just gone to the car to check the exact wording of the warning and the fault has now cleared.
OPC has just called me back reminding me that the MOT is due.
I have it booked in elsewhere.
As its under warranty, surely its not a requirement for Porsche to MOT it?
I have it booked in elsewhere.
As its under warranty, surely its not a requirement for Porsche to MOT it?
Thanks Jeff.
That's exactly my point.
I have a local garage that have been MOT'ing my classics for nearly 20 years and they charge £30.
I suspect the OPC will charge the max allowable even if they do the MOT.
Come to think of it, as I have been in the workshop area a few times recently for their Panamera launches, I don't think they do have an MOT facility.
That's exactly my point.
I have a local garage that have been MOT'ing my classics for nearly 20 years and they charge £30.
I suspect the OPC will charge the max allowable even if they do the MOT.
Come to think of it, as I have been in the workshop area a few times recently for their Panamera launches, I don't think they do have an MOT facility.
We had this same fault of our previous Boxster 981 and it was just two weeks out of warranty, however I kicked up a fuss as it is clearly a well know defect in the pedal bushes and linking this to safety of the vehicle braking system etc.. I was not prepared to pay for the repair, the OPC eventually agreed to replace the bushes at no cost to us.
Having done some research it appears to be a very common problem.
Apparently it occurs when the heater is set high to the footwell, some expansion on pedal bushes/spindle and it seizes.
The OE plastic bush material expands quicker than the spindle causing it to seize.
Today, as it was a very clear day, I had the roof down but had the heater on full blast to the footwells to keep my toes toasted.
It obviously toasted the brake pedal bushes as well.
There are lots of threads on other forums with exactly the same problem.
As its brake related, I'm surprised its not a safety recall as it seems to be a well known & well discussed issue for some time.
Apparently it occurs when the heater is set high to the footwell, some expansion on pedal bushes/spindle and it seizes.
The OE plastic bush material expands quicker than the spindle causing it to seize.
Today, as it was a very clear day, I had the roof down but had the heater on full blast to the footwells to keep my toes toasted.
It obviously toasted the brake pedal bushes as well.
There are lots of threads on other forums with exactly the same problem.
As its brake related, I'm surprised its not a safety recall as it seems to be a well known & well discussed issue for some time.
I can remember this being discussed several years ago on the Boxster/Cayman forums Keith. As you say, the problem was accentuated by having the footwell heating turned up high and Porsche’s recommendation was to hook your left foot under the brake pedal to lift it up! I was astonished that it wasn’t considered to be worthy of a safety recall at the time.
Jeff
Jeff
Just come back from my local OPC to have the car checked out.
At the start I suggested that, as I came from an engineering background, I was confident it was a brake pedal bush issue.
As you would expect, they said they have to put the car through a diagnosis check first and two hours later, he agreed I was indeed correct.
None in stock so its booked in for next week.
Bearing in mind this comes to light when the heater is put on full blast to the footwells which you are most likely to do with the Boxster as opposed to a Cayman, but my son has a 2013 Cayman so I assume both early models of the 981 regardless will be subject to this issue if you blast the heat to your feet whether its the soft top or not.
At the start I suggested that, as I came from an engineering background, I was confident it was a brake pedal bush issue.
As you would expect, they said they have to put the car through a diagnosis check first and two hours later, he agreed I was indeed correct.
None in stock so its booked in for next week.
Bearing in mind this comes to light when the heater is put on full blast to the footwells which you are most likely to do with the Boxster as opposed to a Cayman, but my son has a 2013 Cayman so I assume both early models of the 981 regardless will be subject to this issue if you blast the heat to your feet whether its the soft top or not.
Keith,
Just FYI I seem to recall a few 981 Cayman owners reporting the problem on the forum, one of whom I know personally, so it's definitely a 981-series problem. Your PC should be able to tell you whether or not your son's Cayman has the upgraded bushes.
You may need to suffer cold feet in your Boxster until the problem's fixed next week..!
Jeff
Just FYI I seem to recall a few 981 Cayman owners reporting the problem on the forum, one of whom I know personally, so it's definitely a 981-series problem. Your PC should be able to tell you whether or not your son's Cayman has the upgraded bushes.
You may need to suffer cold feet in your Boxster until the problem's fixed next week..!
Jeff
Bushes replaced yesterday, took about an hour & a half.
If anyone is interested, the OPC has a 1961 356B with 97,500 miles on the clock, apparently restored in the 1990's but the interior is original.
£259,950
If anyone is interested, the OPC has a 1961 356B with 97,500 miles on the clock, apparently restored in the 1990's but the interior is original.
£259,950
Marconipaint
New member
Hello Peeps. I too have been ’suffering’ from the same intermittent PSM / start stop problem. Took car to OPC and also for MOT. They convincingly told me they could find no fault, but a few days later it occurred again.. I carried on ‘curing’ it by turning ignition off/on. Have yet to take it back to OPC.
Interestingly they wanted £60 (their normal charge) for the MOT which they admitted was not done by them.. I pointed out that by law they are not allowed to charge more than £54.85 and were very surprised! Hey ho.
Interestingly they wanted £60 (their normal charge) for the MOT which they admitted was not done by them.. I pointed out that by law they are not allowed to charge more than £54.85 and were very surprised! Hey ho.
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