Common dash warning lights in the Porsche 996 are Check Engine, ABS/PSM/Traction, SRS Airbag & service messages, but the full list of warning lights is shown below.
If you prefer a multi manufacturer OBD2 scan tool tool that works on this Porsche 996 & other makes & models, we highly recommend this iCarsoft CR PRO +
Porsche 996 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.
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 996 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 996 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 996 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 996 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 996 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 996 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 996 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 996 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 996 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.
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 996 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.
