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4x4 fault message

trevorc
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trevorc Member

trevorc

Posted
Posted (edited)

It's been -25 here for the past couple of days. About 1/2 the time when I start my Cayenne (2005) I have a message saying there is a fault in the 4x4 system and it requires service. The other half of the time there is no message.

Also, once the vehicle has been running for a bit, turned off and then on again (as when you stop at the store and come back 5 minutes later) the message and indicator are off. No error message.

If I put the vehicle in neutral, step on the brake and try to disengage, I get no messages, nor does it come out of 4x4 mode (it is a standard transmission).

When I do get the message, the light indicating that I am in 4x4 mode is on.

As it seems to be intermittent, I'm guessing that it is a sensor or something that is reacting to the cold. Before I drag it off to the dealer to get ripped off, is there anything I can check or change ?

Trevor

Edited by trevorc
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  • 2 months later...
ahavis Member

ahavis

Posted
Posted (edited)

If that is the case, it apears that Porsche has implemented a poor system (at least in '04). I read somewhere that changing to All-Terrain tires helps and I admit, I haven't tried this but... when compared to driving my wife's Explorer Limited (it does have all terrain tires), there is a staggering night and day difference. The Porsche is all over the road while the Explorer is well under control even around corners. From a stand still I can gas the Explorer and take off at full speed in snow while I can give 10% gas to the Porsche and maybe if I am lucky, take off under control. The Porsche also makes a wining noise when the PSM kicks in. Maybe something is broken...

I am trying to figure out why and how to improve the Porsche performance in snow. If anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

Any help is appreciated.

Aaron

Edited by ahavis
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CT44 Member

CT44

Posted
Posted
If that is the case, it apears that Porsche has implemented a poor system (at least in '04). I read somewhere that changing to All-Terrain tires helps and I admit, I haven't tried this but... when compared to driving my wife's Explorer Limited (it does have all terrain tires), there is a staggering night and day difference. The Porsche is all over the road while the Explorer is well under control even around corners. From a stand still I can gas the Explorer and take off at full speed in snow while I can give 10% gas to the Porsche and maybe if I am lucky, take off under control. The Porsche also makes a wining noise when the PSM kicks in. Maybe something is broken...

I am trying to figure out why and how to improve the Porsche performance in snow. If anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

Any help is appreciated.

Aaron

All Cayennes ARE full time 4x4 (except GTS I think)

There is only 1 solution to performing better in snow and that would be snow tires - the more narrow the better. I am currently running Pirelli Scorpion snow and ice...

JR

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mrz500 Member

mrz500

Posted
Posted
If that is the case, it apears that Porsche has implemented a poor system (at least in '04). I read somewhere that changing to All-Terrain tires helps and I admit, I haven't tried this but... when compared to driving my wife's Explorer Limited (it does have all terrain tires), there is a staggering night and day difference. The Porsche is all over the road while the Explorer is well under control even around corners. From a stand still I can gas the Explorer and take off at full speed in snow while I can give 10% gas to the Porsche and maybe if I am lucky, take off under control. The Porsche also makes a wining noise when the PSM kicks in. Maybe something is broken...

I am trying to figure out why and how to improve the Porsche performance in snow. If anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

Any help is appreciated.

Aaron

All Cayennes ARE full time 4x4 (except GTS I think)

There is only 1 solution to performing better in snow and that would be snow tires - the more narrow the better. I am currently running Pirelli Scorpion snow and ice...

JR

I just had the same issue the PSM and the 4x4 system fault lights came on- just driving on highway and slowed to exit and warning lights started poping on. anyone ever find out what is the cause of this?

I have an 04CS with 75k on it.

Thanks

Josh

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trevorc Member

trevorc

Posted
  • Author
Posted
If that is the case, it apears that Porsche has implemented a poor system (at least in '04). I read somewhere that changing to All-Terrain tires helps and I admit, I haven't tried this but... when compared to driving my wife's Explorer Limited (it does have all terrain tires), there is a staggering night and day difference. The Porsche is all over the road while the Explorer is well under control even around corners. From a stand still I can gas the Explorer and take off at full speed in snow while I can give 10% gas to the Porsche and maybe if I am lucky, take off under control. The Porsche also makes a wining noise when the PSM kicks in. Maybe something is broken...

I am trying to figure out why and how to improve the Porsche performance in snow. If anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

Any help is appreciated.

Aaron

All Cayennes ARE full time 4x4 (except GTS I think)

There is only 1 solution to performing better in snow and that would be snow tires - the more narrow the better. I am currently running Pirelli Scorpion snow and ice...

JR

The Scorpion Ice & Snow tires make to HUGE difference. All season tires on a vehicle like this are foolish if you live anywhere that you get weather. PSM controls traction and associated wheel spin. Depending on snow conditions you may want to turn it off. Just be aware that you'll have to drive the car then. PSM doesn't control whether the car has locked centre differential. There are good instructions in the owner manual on how to engage central locking and low range. Also remember that when you lock (either hi or low) that your gas milage will be affected !!!!!

In regards the fault that prompted my original post.... This occurs are very low temperatures, -25C and below. The fault disappears once the vehicle has warmed up and is restarted (ie: go into the convenience store and when you restart the fault is gone). There does not appear to be anything logged as I have checked several times with Durametric. (unfortunately my laptop refuses to work at -25 so I haven't been able to watch interactively) I have not resolved this fault yet.

In an associated issue, I do really need to find out what differences there are in Cayenne's sold into cold weather climes (such as Canada, Norway, Sweden, etc) compared to the California model I have. It really needs to be retrofitted for the cold.

Trevor

Calgary, Alberta

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trevorc Member

trevorc

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I just had the same issue the PSM and the 4x4 system fault lights came on- just driving on highway and slowed to exit and warning lights started poping on. anyone ever find out what is the cause of this?

I have an 04CS with 75k on it.

Thanks

Josh

Josh.... where are you located... what was the temperature the day the fault occured ?? Was it raining or snowing at the time ?

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trevorc Member

trevorc

Posted
  • Author
Posted
If that is the case, it apears that Porsche has implemented a poor system (at least in '04). I read somewhere that changing to All-Terrain tires helps and I admit, I haven't tried this but... when compared to driving my wife's Explorer Limited (it does have all terrain tires), there is a staggering night and day difference. The Porsche is all over the road while the Explorer is well under control even around corners. From a stand still I can gas the Explorer and take off at full speed in snow while I can give 10% gas to the Porsche and maybe if I am lucky, take off under control. The Porsche also makes a wining noise when the PSM kicks in. Maybe something is broken...

I am trying to figure out why and how to improve the Porsche performance in snow. If anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

Any help is appreciated.

Aaron

Aaron..... Cayennes are EXETREMELY sensitive to which tires are on them AND to tire inflation. As posted elsewhere, you need snow tires in snow ! All season tires get to hard in cold weather and are not recommended if you are concerned about your own safety.

Trevor

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mrz500 Member

mrz500

Posted
Posted
I just had the same issue the PSM and the 4x4 system fault lights came on- just driving on highway and slowed to exit and warning lights started poping on. anyone ever find out what is the cause of this?

I have an 04CS with 75k on it.

Thanks

Josh

Josh.... where are you located... what was the temperature the day the fault occured ?? Was it raining or snowing at the time ?

NE Ohio and was around 32F outside with a light snow. I just spoke to my buddy and he had the same issue and I guess the dealer replaced the servo motor(thats what he called it) and he has not had any issue since.

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ahavis Member

ahavis

Posted
Posted
If that is the case, it apears that Porsche has implemented a poor system (at least in '04). I read somewhere that changing to All-Terrain tires helps and I admit, I haven't tried this but... when compared to driving my wife's Explorer Limited (it does have all terrain tires), there is a staggering night and day difference. The Porsche is all over the road while the Explorer is well under control even around corners. From a stand still I can gas the Explorer and take off at full speed in snow while I can give 10% gas to the Porsche and maybe if I am lucky, take off under control. The Porsche also makes a wining noise when the PSM kicks in. Maybe something is broken...

I am trying to figure out why and how to improve the Porsche performance in snow. If anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

Any help is appreciated.

Aaron

All Cayennes ARE full time 4x4 (except GTS I think)

There is only 1 solution to performing better in snow and that would be snow tires - the more narrow the better. I am currently running Pirelli Scorpion snow and ice...

JR

The Scorpion Ice & Snow tires make to HUGE difference. All season tires on a vehicle like this are foolish if you live anywhere that you get weather. PSM controls traction and associated wheel spin. Depending on snow conditions you may want to turn it off. Just be aware that you'll have to drive the car then. PSM doesn't control whether the car has locked centre differential. There are good instructions in the owner manual on how to engage central locking and low range. Also remember that when you lock (either hi or low) that your gas milage will be affected !!!!!

In regards the fault that prompted my original post.... This occurs are very low temperatures, -25C and below. The fault disappears once the vehicle has warmed up and is restarted (ie: go into the convenience store and when you restart the fault is gone). There does not appear to be anything logged as I have checked several times with Durametric. (unfortunately my laptop refuses to work at -25 so I haven't been able to watch interactively) I have not resolved this fault yet.

In an associated issue, I do really need to find out what differences there are in Cayenne's sold into cold weather climes (such as Canada, Norway, Sweden, etc) compared to the California model I have. It really needs to be retrofitted for the cold.

Trevor

Calgary, Alberta

Thank you for all of the responses. Much appreciated. I read the manual in detail and you mention that you can lock the differential in hi or low. I only seem to be able to lock in low. Can you tell me explicitly how to lock the diff in 4 hi?

Thanks again,

Aaron

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parajed Member

parajed

Posted
Posted

Just a quick note on winters vs. all seasons.

I live in Central Ontario, Canada, and I bought Michilin Pilot A/S tires (275/35/20). I have had absolutely no problems with these tires, and never had to engage 4hi/lo. I am sure that winter tires would grip more, but it all has to do with the DRIVER. We have about 5 feet of snow up here, and the roads are nothing close to being bare. My Pepper S handles like it should, if you corner too fast, you'll go straight, as you would with any vehicle. I read so much about A/S being terrible in the winter............... If people adjusted their driving habits to the road conditions our insurance would be a whole lot less. Maybe people should blame the vehicle a little less and themselves a little more.

Just my 2 cents

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trevorc Member

trevorc

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I just had the same issue the PSM and the 4x4 system fault lights came on- just driving on highway and slowed to exit and warning lights started poping on. anyone ever find out what is the cause of this?

I have an 04CS with 75k on it.

Thanks

Josh

Josh.... where are you located... what was the temperature the day the fault occured ?? Was it raining or snowing at the time ?

NE Ohio and was around 32F outside with a light snow. I just spoke to my buddy and he had the same issue and I guess the dealer replaced the servo motor(thats what he called it) and he has not had any issue since.

Josh......

Servo motor very interesting !!! ... If your talking to your buddy could I ask you to ask him what part number it was (should be on the work order), I'd like to follow up on this to try understand why it happens... Thanks in advance :D

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trevorc Member

trevorc

Posted
  • Author
Posted
If that is the case, it apears that Porsche has implemented a poor system (at least in '04). I read somewhere that changing to All-Terrain tires helps and I admit, I haven't tried this but... when compared to driving my wife's Explorer Limited (it does have all terrain tires), there is a staggering night and day difference. The Porsche is all over the road while the Explorer is well under control even around corners. From a stand still I can gas the Explorer and take off at full speed in snow while I can give 10% gas to the Porsche and maybe if I am lucky, take off under control. The Porsche also makes a wining noise when the PSM kicks in. Maybe something is broken...

I am trying to figure out why and how to improve the Porsche performance in snow. If anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

Any help is appreciated.

Aaron

All Cayennes ARE full time 4x4 (except GTS I think)

There is only 1 solution to performing better in snow and that would be snow tires - the more narrow the better. I am currently running Pirelli Scorpion snow and ice...

JR

The Scorpion Ice & Snow tires make to HUGE difference. All season tires on a vehicle like this are foolish if you live anywhere that you get weather. PSM controls traction and associated wheel spin. Depending on snow conditions you may want to turn it off. Just be aware that you'll have to drive the car then. PSM doesn't control whether the car has locked centre differential. There are good instructions in the owner manual on how to engage central locking and low range. Also remember that when you lock (either hi or low) that your gas milage will be affected !!!!!

In regards the fault that prompted my original post.... This occurs are very low temperatures, -25C and below. The fault disappears once the vehicle has warmed up and is restarted (ie: go into the convenience store and when you restart the fault is gone). There does not appear to be anything logged as I have checked several times with Durametric. (unfortunately my laptop refuses to work at -25 so I haven't been able to watch interactively) I have not resolved this fault yet.

In an associated issue, I do really need to find out what differences there are in Cayenne's sold into cold weather climes (such as Canada, Norway, Sweden, etc) compared to the California model I have. It really needs to be retrofitted for the cold.

Trevor

Calgary, Alberta

Thank you for all of the responses. Much appreciated. I read the manual in detail and you mention that you can lock the differential in hi or low. I only seem to be able to lock in low. Can you tell me explicitly how to lock the diff in 4 hi?

Thanks again,

Aaron

Aaron.... The manual indicates two small boxes when in high, one large when in low. Parajed's comments are excellent, locking (hi/lo) will just get you into more trouble if you are uncomfortable in the snow. I use winter tyres here because it is quite cold much of the winter and the rubber compounds in winter tyres are designed to deal with that.

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ahavis Member

ahavis

Posted
Posted
If that is the case, it apears that Porsche has implemented a poor system (at least in '04). I read somewhere that changing to All-Terrain tires helps and I admit, I haven't tried this but... when compared to driving my wife's Explorer Limited (it does have all terrain tires), there is a staggering night and day difference. The Porsche is all over the road while the Explorer is well under control even around corners. From a stand still I can gas the Explorer and take off at full speed in snow while I can give 10% gas to the Porsche and maybe if I am lucky, take off under control. The Porsche also makes a wining noise when the PSM kicks in. Maybe something is broken...

I am trying to figure out why and how to improve the Porsche performance in snow. If anyone has experience with this, please chime in.

Any help is appreciated.

Aaron

All Cayennes ARE full time 4x4 (except GTS I think)

There is only 1 solution to performing better in snow and that would be snow tires - the more narrow the better. I am currently running Pirelli Scorpion snow and ice...

JR

The Scorpion Ice & Snow tires make to HUGE difference. All season tires on a vehicle like this are foolish if you live anywhere that you get weather. PSM controls traction and associated wheel spin. Depending on snow conditions you may want to turn it off. Just be aware that you'll have to drive the car then. PSM doesn't control whether the car has locked centre differential. There are good instructions in the owner manual on how to engage central locking and low range. Also remember that when you lock (either hi or low) that your gas milage will be affected !!!!!

In regards the fault that prompted my original post.... This occurs are very low temperatures, -25C and below. The fault disappears once the vehicle has warmed up and is restarted (ie: go into the convenience store and when you restart the fault is gone). There does not appear to be anything logged as I have checked several times with Durametric. (unfortunately my laptop refuses to work at -25 so I haven't been able to watch interactively) I have not resolved this fault yet.

In an associated issue, I do really need to find out what differences there are in Cayenne's sold into cold weather climes (such as Canada, Norway, Sweden, etc) compared to the California model I have. It really needs to be retrofitted for the cold.

Trevor

Calgary, Alberta

Thank you for all of the responses. Much appreciated. I read the manual in detail and you mention that you can lock the differential in hi or low. I only seem to be able to lock in low. Can you tell me explicitly how to lock the diff in 4 hi?

Thanks again,

Aaron

Aaron.... The manual indicates two small boxes when in high, one large when in low. Parajed's comments are excellent, locking (hi/lo) will just get you into more trouble if you are uncomfortable in the snow. I use winter tyres here because it is quite cold much of the winter and the rubber compounds in winter tyres are designed to deal with that.

Thanks to all who responded here. I have zero issue with driving in the snow. The goal was to understand the difference between the Porsche and the Ford in terms of handling etc. and why the Porsche did not match up. It sounds like tires make a huge difference and I will be putting this theory into practice before next winter.

Thanks again,

Aaron

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  • 4 weeks later...
h_walker Member

h_walker

Posted
Posted

255\50\18 Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi is what I have on this winter. Check out this article: http://www.canadiandriver.com/winter/tires/hakka_rsi.htm.

I tried to get stuck here in Montreal in the storm we had this past Saturday. The one time it got hairy (getting into an unplowed entrance through a 30" deep snowbank), I raised the suspension to Special Terrain and engaged reduction (locked the front and center differentials) and got myself out with no problems.

I drove a 2004 Explorer for a year on Goodyear M+S tires and never had to lock the diff. It was fine in the winter. During a company required advanced driving course I did 6 slalom runs with it. To this day I still wonder how people flip them over... Still, an Explorer is miles away from a Cayenne!

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h_walker Member

h_walker

Posted
Posted

I forgot. I too had the 4x4 Fault Workshop message. My 955 is from Florida and when this happened the outside temp was -24C here in Montreal and only 3 days after I bought it. Took it to the dealer and it turned out to be a dying battery. Apparently the system shuts down components like this when the battery is about to die...

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