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PORSCHE 986 BOXSTER DASH WARNING LIGHT GUIDE

1996 - 2004
Welcome to our Porsche 986 Boxster dash warning light guide, it can be frustrating & worrying to see a new warning light on the dashboard of your Porsche 986 Boxster, so this guide will help you understand how to fix it, and turn off the warning lights on your Porsche 986 Boxster dashboard. The guide applies to all models including 2.5, 2.7 & 3.2.

Common dash warning lights in the Porsche 986 Boxster are Check Engine, ABS/PSM/Traction, SRS Airbag & service messages, but the full list of warning lights is shown below.

In most cases, to turn off the warning light in your Porsche 986 Boxster, you will need to buy an OBD2 scan tool. We offer a full range of Porsche OBD2 scan tools which will allow you to turn off the light fast & safely. See our full range here of Porsche OBD2 Scan Tools.

If you prefer a multi manufacturer OBD2 scan tool tool that works on this Porsche 986 & other makes & models, we highly recommend this iCarsoft CR PRO +
Audi Dash Warning Lights
Porsche Boxster 986 Check Engine Warning Light Meaning Reset Guide

Porsche Boxster 986 Check Engine Warning Light Meaning


The check engine warning lamp illuminates when the ignition is switched on & turns off when the engine starts. 

If the engine lamp illuminates when the engine is running, a fault has been detected & you should get the fault diagnosed as soon as possible. 

Watch our video on the common reasons your Porsche Check Engine Light Is Illuminated

With the lamp illuminated, the vehicle may enter limp-home mode. Limp-home mode reduces vehicle performance to safeguard against any further damage to the vehicle. 

To diagnose/reset this check engine light, and remove the vehicle from Limp-home mode, we recommend the iCarsoft POR V1.0. With this tool, you can also view lots of live data like temperatures, pressures from all areas of the engine and transmssion system. 

The tool is in stock with same day dispatch & worldwide delivery.

Porsche Boxster 986 SRS Airbag Warning Light Meaning Reset Guide

Porsche Boxster 986 SRS Airbag Warning Light Meaning


The airbag warning lamp illuminates, as a bulb check, when the vehicle's ignition is switched on & will turn off when the engine is started.

Watch our video on the most common reasons why your Porsche SRS Airbag Light Is Illuminated

If the lamp illuminates again while driving, there is a fault with the airbag system. You can diagnose & reset the airbag fault codes & warning light with the iCarsoft POR V1.0.

The tool is in stock with same day dispatch & worldwide delivery.

Porsche Boxster 986 ABS Warning Light Meaning Reset Guide

Porsche Boxster 986 ABS/PSM Warning Light Meaning


The ABS/PSM warning lamp illuminates briefly, as a bulb check, when the vehicle's ignition is switched on & will turn off when the engine has started.

If the lamp remains on while driving there is a fault with the ABS/PSM system. Drive with care, avoiding heavy brake pedal application.

Watch our video on the most common reasons why your Porsche ABS/PSM Light Is Illuminated.

You can diagnose faults in the ABS/PSM system with the iCarsoft POR V1.0

The tool is in stock with same day dispatch & worldwide delivery.

Porsche Boxster 986 PSM OFF WARNING LIGHT

Porsche Boxster 986 PSM OFF Warning Light Meaning


The PSM OFF warning lamp illuminates briefly, as a bulb check, when the vehicle's ignition is switched on & will turn off when the engine has started.

If the PSM OFF warning light remains illuminated during normal drving conditions, it means that the system is either turned off (via the PSM OFF button) or there is a fault with the system (if the button has not been pressed)

To diagnose a fault with the PSM OFF warning light we recommend the iCarsoft POR V1.0

The tool is in stock with same day dispatch & worldwide delivery.
Porsche Boxster 986 PSM OFF WARNING LIGHT

Porsche Boxster 986 Triangle ! PSM Stability Control Warning Light Meaning


The Triangle with Exclamation Mark ! lamp illuminates or flashes when the system is active & is driving over terrain which does not have good traction like snow/ice/dirt.

If there is a fault with the system, it remains illuminated and the instrument panel displays a warning message.

To diagnose a fault in the PSM system, we recommend the iCarsoft POR V1.0


The tool is in stock with same day dispatch & worldwide delivery.

Porsche Boxster 986 Parking Brake P Parking Brake Warning Light Meaning Reset Guide

Porsche Boxster 986 Parking Brake System Warning Light Meaning


The Parking Brake warning lamp illuminates if the parking brake is correctly applied.

If the lamp illuminates during normal driving conditions, a fault has been detected. Check your brake fluid levels and have the system checked out by a professional. 

Porsche Boxster 986 ! Exclamation mark Warning Light Meaning Reset Guide

Porsche Boxster 986 Brake Exclamation Warning Light Meaning


The brake warning lamp illuminates briefly, as a bulb check, when the vehicle's ignition is switched on.

If the lamp illuminates while driving, suspect low brake fluid level or a fault with the ABS braking system.

To diagnose a fault in the braking system of your Porsche, we recommend the iCarsoft POR V1.0.


The tool is in stock with same day dispatch and worldwide delivery.

Porsche Boxster 986 brake pad WARNING LIGHT

Porsche Boxster 986 Brakepad Warning Light Meaning


The brakepad warning light will illuminate if your front or rear brakepads need to be changed. You will need to visually check the pads and replace as needed.  
Porsche Boxster 986 Oil Can Warning Light Meaning Reset Guide

Porsche Boxster 986 Oil Can Warning Light Meaning


If the low oil pressure warning lamp flashes or illuminates while driving, stop the vehicle as soon as safety permits. Switch off the engine immediately.

Check and top up the oil level, if necessary. Start the engine. If the lamp remains illuminated, switch the engine off immediately. You can diagnose this fault with the iCarsoft POR V1.0.

The tool is in stock with same day dispatch & worldwide delivery.

Porsche Boxster 986 Battery Warning Light Meaning Reset Guide

Porsche Boxster 986 Battery System Warning Light Meaning


The 12V battery charge warning lamp illuminates, as a bulb check, when the vehicle's ignition is switched on.

The lamp extinguishes when the engine is started.

If the lamp remains on or illuminates while driving, there is a fault with the battery charging system. The instrument panel displays a warning message.

Have we missed a warning light? Please send an image of the light to enquiries@diagnostic-world.com and we can add it to our site.

WHY WON'T MY PORSCHE BOXSTER 986 WARNING LIGHT TURN OFF?

If you have bought an OBD2 scan tool for your Porsche Boxster 986, and are unable to turn off the warning light there are a few things you should know. 

1. Does that tool have the capability for the system/warning light you are trying to reset? So for example, lets say you have an ABS warning light on your dashbaord. You need to make sure you are buying a scan tool that has ABS capabilities and will actually allow you to communicate with the ABS system.

2. Assuming you do have the correct scan tool for the job, the next thing to look at is why the tool isnt turning off the warning light. When you attempt to reset the fault codes using the scan tool, it is communicating with the ECU, and asking the ECU to turn the light off. 

If the light does not turn off, it means that the ECU has refused the request, and that it is not happy that the problem has been fixed. In other words the problem is still present, and if you think you have physically fixed the issue, you might need to go over everything again, checking connections, wiring etc.

It can be a misconception that these tools are a kind of magic pill, and that the tool can just reset a warning light without taking any action to fix the fault. This is not correct, in 99% of cases, you need to physically fix the fautl before the warning light in your Porsche Boxster 986 can be turned off. The rare situations where the warning light will turn off without any physical fix is where a sporadic or intermittant fault has occured.
The guides above cover pretty much all variants of the Porsche 986 Boixster, including the 2.5, 2.7 & 3.2
porsche 996 dashboard warning lights guide
1. Porsche Boxster 986 Voltmeter
2. Porsche Boxster 986 Speedometer with analogue display
3. Porsche Boxster 986 Cruise control indicator light
4. Porsche Boxster 986 Odometer, trip counter
5. Porsche Boxster 986 Tachometer
6. Porsche Boxster 986 Direction indicator pilot light, left
7. Porsche Boxster 986 Speedometer with digital display
8. Porsche Boxster 986 High beam indicator light
9. Porsche Boxster 986 Direction indicator pilot light, right.
10. Porsche Boxster 986 Light sensor for instrument illumination
11. Porsche Boxster 986 Clock, engine oil level gauge
12. Porsche Boxster 986 Tiptronic indicator
13. Porsche Boxster 986 Cooling system, temperature guage warning light
14. Porsche Boxster 986 Fuel level gauge warning light
15. Porsche Boxster 986 Engine oil pressure gauge
A. Porsche Boxster 986 Luggage compatrment lid, engine compartment lid warning light.
B. Porsche Boxster 986 Porsche stability management PSM information Light.
C. Porsche Boxster 986 Porsche stability management PSM warning light.
D. Porsche Boxster 986 Retractable rear spoiler warning light
E. Porsche Boxster 986 Brake-pad wear warning light.
F. Porsche Boxster 986 Handbrake warning light.
G. Porsche Boxster 986 Brake fluid level warning light.
H. Porsche Boxster 986 ABS warning light.
I. Porsche Boxster 986 Engine oil pressure warning light.
K. Porsche Boxster 986 Battery charge warning light.
L. Porsche Boxster 986 Washer fluid level warning light.
M. Porsche Boxster 986 Seat belt warning light.
N. Porsche Boxster 986 Airbag warning light.
O. Porsche Boxster 986 Roll-over protection warning light.
P. Porsche Boxster 986 Convertible top warning light.
Q. Porsche Boxster 986 Emission control warning light

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