Cayman Oil Warning: Metal Shavings Signal Trouble Ahead

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2006 Porsche Boxster (got some experience with these cars, not an expert though). The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I dealt with last year. In my case, it was indeed the oil level sensor cable connection that was acting up, giving false readings and triggering those warning lights. Took it to my local Porsche specialist and they diagnosed a defective connection in the oil level sensor cable. The fix cost me around 165 Euro, and it sorted out all those warning lights. Haven't had any issues since then. Before I share more specific details about the repair process, could you tell me if you've checked your actual oil level manually? Also, what's your current mileage? These details would help me better understand if you're facing the exact same issue I had. Quick tip: Don't ignore those metal shavings though, that's something my issue didn't include and might need separate attention.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My car's at 136494 KM, and I just had it serviced last month. The manual oil check shows correct levels, which makes me think you might be onto something with that sensor cable connection issue. I'll definitely get those metal shavings checked out separately, that's definitely concerning me more than the warning lights at this point. Did your mechanic mention how they diagnosed the sensor problem specifically? I'm trying to figure out if I should head straight to a Porsche specialist or if this is something a regular shop could handle.

Hey again! Back to share more about my Boxster situation since you asked about the diagnostic process. My mechanic actually used a Porsche-specific diagnostic tool (PIWIS) to pinpoint the sensor issue. That's one of the main reasons I'd really recommend going to a Porsche specialist for this, regular shops often don't have access to these specialized diagnostic tools. They're pretty crucial for getting an accurate read on these cars. In my case, they first checked all the wiring connections at the sensor (it's kind of tricky to access, but these guys knew exactly where to look). They also mentioned that on these models, the connector can sometimes get corroded or loose over time, which is exactly what happened to mine. But I've got to be honest, those metal shavings you mentioned are making me more nervous than when I first replied. That's definitely not something to mess around with. My specialist did mention that if you ever see metal in the oil, it could indicate internal engine wear. Since you're at 136K km (mine's actually pretty close at 142K), it might be worth having them do a full oil analysis while they're checking the sensor. Have you noticed any unusual engine sounds or vibrations lately? Just curious because that might help narrow things down a bit more.

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! You're definitely convincing me to go with a Porsche specialist, seems like these cars really need someone who knows their specific quirks. I'll make an appointment tomorrow and make sure they have the PIWIS system. I haven't noticed any weird sounds or vibrations (thank goodness), but you're right about the metal shavings being the bigger concern. I'll ask them about doing that oil analysis too, better to catch any potential issues early than wait for something major to go wrong. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all this info, it's exactly the kind of real-world experience I was hoping to hear about. I'll keep you posted on what they find!