Receiving a “PADM Disabled” warning on your Porsche dash doesn’t automatically mean your engine mounts are dead.
Many 911 and 718 owners immediately assume the entire assembly must be replaced—often at a cost of $1,500 to $2,000 per side. But based on common failure analysis, the mechanical mount core is frequently still in good condition. The root cause is often much smaller: the internal pressure sensor.
In this technical guide, we’ll walk through how the PADM system works, why sensors fail, and how PopoRacing engineered a targeted sensor-level repair that saves you thousands.
1. Understanding PADM & The Fault Symptoms
The Porsche Active Drivetrain Mount (PADM) uses magnetorheological (MR) fluid—a specialized fluid that changes viscosity when exposed to a magnetic field. It adjusts the stiffness of the engine and transmission mounts in milliseconds:
Comfort Mode: The mount softens to filter out low-frequency vibrations.
Sport / Sport Plus Mode: The mount stiffens to lock the drivetrain in place, reducing weight transfer and sharpening handling response.
Common Symptoms of a PADM Fault
If the internal sensor begins to fail or loses signal, you may notice one or more of the following conditions:
“PADM Disabled” warning displayed on the instrument cluster
Fault codes 001013 (left/front) or 001023 (right/rear) that return after clearing
Reduced drivetrain dynamics control in Sport or Sport Plus modes
Rougher idle or increased engine vibration at rest
Less rigid feel during hard, track-focused cornering
Can you still drive with a PADM fault?
Yes. The system defaults to a safe, soft passive mode. The car remains drivable. However, prolonged abnormal vibration can affect surrounding components over time, so replacement is recommended sooner rather than later.
2. What Do PADM Fault Codes 001013 and 001023 Mean?
When your Porsche logs a PADM fault, the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) you'll typically see on a PIWIS or compatible scan tool are 001013 and 001023. Knowing exactly what these codes report is what separates a ~$200 sensor fix from a $1,500–$2,000 complete mount replacement.
Which side, which code
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001013 points to the left (or front) PADM mount's internal sensor.
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001023 points to the right (or rear) PADM mount's internal sensor.
The exact "left/right" vs "front/rear" label depends on the platform and the scan tool's phrasing — a 911 and a 718 lay the two mounts out differently — but the principle is identical: the code isolates one specific side that has lost its sensor signal. Always confirm the physical mount with a Porsche diagnostic tool before ordering parts.
What the code is really reporting The code is not a verdict that the hydraulic mount is destroyed. It reports that the internal pressure/position sensor inside that mount has lost its signal — the same chip-level failure described in our guide to how PADM works and why the sensor fails. The control unit, unable to read the sensor, de-energizes the mount as a safety fallback; the magnetorheological (MR) fluid drops to its lowest viscosity and the unit reverts to a passive, softer state. This is why the car still drives — covered in detail in why the fault light stays on while driving feels normal.
Why the code won't clear — and why that's useful Because the failure is in the sensor circuit rather than a loose cap, simply clearing the code does nothing: the ECU re-detects the missing signal on the next drive cycle and the light returns. That persistence is actually informative — it confirms the problem is the sensor, not the mechanical mount. You don't need a new hydraulic assembly; you need the failed sensor addressed — check whether your fault is sensor-related first.
What the code tells you about the repair This is the heart of why sensor-level repair beats full mount replacement: a 001013 or 001023 tells you exactly which side failed and that the failure is sensor-level. Replacing the entire active mount throws away a hydraulic body that is very likely still good, at several times the cost. A targeted sensor-level repair restores the active function on that specific side for a fraction of the price — and, on a car where only one code is present, leaves the healthy opposite mount untouched — how sensor-level repair compares to the other three options.
If you're seeing one code, confirm which sensor fits your chassis using our which sensor fits your 911 / 718. One naming note for searchers: on 911 models Porsche labels the system "dynamic engine mounts" and on 718 "dynamic transmission mounts" — same active technology, different name (see our PADM, dynamic engine mounts, or dynamic transmission mounts — same system); the fault codes mean the same thing either way.
FAQ (optional — for featured-snippet capture)
Q: Is a PADM fault code 001013 / 001023 serious? A: It means one mount's internal sensor has failed, not that the hydraulic mount is broken. The car stays drivable in a soft passive mode, but the active stiffening is gone. Fix the sensor rather than replacing the whole mount.
Q: Can I just clear the PADM fault code? A: Clearing it won't help — the ECU re-detects the missing sensor signal and the light returns. The code points to a sensor-level failure, which is repaired, not reset.
3. The Failure Mechanism: Why The Sensor Fails
The hydraulic bellow of the mount itself is often robust. The weak point lies in the internal sensor soldered onto the PCB. This tiny electronic component operates in a harsh environment—constant thermal cycling plus high-frequency vibration.
Over time, micro-cracks develop at the solder joints. Eventually, the connection detaches or the sensor drifts out of calibration. When that happens, the mount cannot communicate its status to the ECU, triggering the warning — the root-cause analysis behind sensor-level failure.
Is the whole mount really bad?
In many cases, no. The mechanical mount is still serviceable. The sensor is the failing component. Replacing the entire assembly when only the sensor has failed adds unnecessary cost and waste.
PopoRacing’s Approach: From Failure Analysis to Sensor-Level Repair
PopoRacing was built around a simple idea: Repair the actual failure point—don’t replace more parts than necessary.
After examining real PADM fault cases across Porsche 911 and 718 platforms, we consistently found the same conclusion: most failures were sensor-level, not structural. This drove us to engineer a dedicated replacement sensor that restores full system function without replacing the complete mount.
What We Changed
PopoRacing PADM sensor replacement is not a generic aftermarket part. It was developed from real-world failure data:
Mechanically secured internal structure
Designed to avoid the adhesive-bonded weakness seen in many failed OEM sensors.
CNC-machined aluminum housing
Built to withstand the heat, pressure, and vibration around the drivetrain mount area.
Plug-and-play installation
No coding or software calibration required when the correct sensor type is installed.
Calibrated for Porsche PADM systems
Developed for compatible Porsche 911 / 718 models equipped with PADM.
4. Which Sensor Fits Your Porsche?
Choose the correct sensor type based on your platform:
Sensor Model Compatible Platforms
Type A 991 / 981 / 982 / 718 4.0L (Flat-six)
Type B 982 / 718 2.0T & 2.5L (Flat-four)
Type C 992 (All variants)
Type D 997 Turbo
5. Common Owner Questions & Technical Considerations
Q: Will the opposite mount work normally when one side fails?
A: The opposite mount may continue to function. However, the remaining mount will be exposed to higher stress over time. We recommend inspecting both sides before deciding whether to replace one sensor or both.
Q: What about installation?
A: The replacement is plug-and-play. No coding or adaptive calibration is required for the vehicle to recognize the sensor, provided you have selected the correct type for your chassis and engine variant — installation steps for the replacement sensor.
6. Why Porsche Owners Choose PopoRacing
This is not a generic parts-house solution. It is a targeted engineering response to a known failure point:
Over 300 PADM sensors delivered worldwide
Discussed by Porsche owners on Rennlist and Planet-9
2-year limited warranty
Free VIN compatibility check available before you order
Stop replacing more than you need to. Repair the sensor. Keep your PADM running at its best.
