whall

Ity looks like you have a bad oil pressure transmitter....not an uncommmon problem. In the philosophy of the Porsche engineers, the oil pressure gauge is an "accessory"; the oil pressure idiot light is the real warning device. If you note in your owner's manual, there is a distinct difference in the appropriate steps to be taken vis-a-vis the two indications. BTW, an oil pressure idiot light illumination is recorded and can be displayed (and re-set) with a PST2 or PIWIS. The failure of the transmitter is not recorded, except on a bill written up by the shop that changes the transmitter. The oil pressure transmitter is relatively easy to change....read, not very time consuming. The "oil pressure switch" (996.606.203.00) costs $53.16 MSRP. As to the noise, I'll leave that diagnosis to an expert. Bill

I'm not sure this link is for the same unit: http://www.porsche.com/international/accessoriesandservice/classic/news/classicnews/?pool=uk&id=2010-11-04-classic It does not mention being used on either the 996 or the 986. In any event, it could only be used on pre-MY03 (MOST bus) cars. I do not see any information on a US data base. There is a sales brochure available on the above link. Bill

Tom, Here's a link to RennTech board member "trieullionaire" web site: http://cgi.ebay.com/2002-PORSCHE-996-CARRERA-2-DIN-INSTALLATION-KIT-/320658362619?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa8ba50fb His kit takes most of the angst out of installing a double DIN HU. Plus, he is always available to help trouble shoot any problems that may show up. Here, also, is a link to his installation guide: I've got no dog "in the fight".....just a satisfied customer who has used trieullionaire's kits on a MY02 Targa and a MY03 Boxster. Bill

Per Bentley, Page 37-4: Fluid change quantity: 3.5 liters/3.7 US qt. Transmission fill quantity (including torque converter): 9 liters/9.5 US qts.

From MY03 Carrera Owner's Manual Page 80: "With a warmed-up engine and at a speed of 5000 rpm, the engine oil pressure should be approx. 3.5 bar." Bill

Tom, I far as I know, the MOST bus architecture was not introduced until 2003. (I have a MY02 Targa with Bose which does not have the MOST bus.) The quickest way I know to tell - with some accuracy - if you have the Bose system, is to look for the Bose logo on the door speaker grills. The code for the Harmann "hi fi" is M490; the code for the Bose is 680 (there should be an options tag attached to the under side of the bonnet). If you have either the the Bose or the Harmann system, there will be an external amplifier in the front boot mounted just above and behind the spare tyre (996-C2). In any event, if your car does NOT have the MOST bus, the installation of an after market double DIN system is pretty straight forward. Now, you idicate that your car has a CDR-23. That model number is a unit found in MOST bus equipped cars - MY03+.....at least US versions. ROW cars could be different. If your car is indeed equipped with the MOST bus, installation of an after market system is doable but just a little more complicated due the need to wire around the Most bus. I have a MY03 Boxster, with the M490 Harmann system and the MOST bus, in which I installed a Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT. The mechanical part of the installation was fairly easy. The electrical part was a little more complicated. I ended up wiring the HU directly to the existing speakers, by-passing the external Harmann amplifier. I also ran a power wire from the fuse panel to the HU that would allow the system to remain powered until I had physically removed the key from the ignition switch. I realize by wiring the HU directly to the speakers I don't have enough audio power to part my hair. However with the car static or with the hood up I get enough sound. With the hood down and the car in motion it reallly doesn't matter. Bill

jimmy, I've got a Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT installed in my Boxster. If you go to Pioneer's web site, you can down load a copy of the installation manual and the owner's manual. Check page 94 (of the 211 page! manual), Chapter 13 Customizing preferences: "Using the 'Gas Mileage' function". On page 95, there is information about "Recording your travel history". This system has more whistles and bells than most people can remember or use. Being an analog man, I need an IT expert as a passenger. I have no experience with other brands. But I would not hesitate to recommend the Pioneer series of nav systems based on my experience with the AVIC-Z3 and AVIC-Z110BT. Bill

+1 on poor service with Auto Atlanta. There are many other firms that offer better service and better prices. Bill

Dave, As ogun228 says, it is normal to start out in 2nd gear. The Tiptronic only starts out in 1st gear when you have the throttle wide open. Reading through the Owner's Manual you'll re-discover (from your Boxster days) the "German Engineering" behind the various systems/sub-systems. If you don't have an Owner's Manual, you can down load one here, or if you want paper copy you can purchase one from your Porsche dealer for about $30.00. Bill

+1

I own a 2002 Targa with 57,000+ miles and have the following observations: - The top, when open, slides down underneath the rear window making the view through the rear view mirror difficult (impossible at night). With the retractable sun shade closed, the view through the rear view mirror is impossible day or night. The sun shade can be opened or closed regardless of the top's position; - The Targa's opening tailgate (rear) window is handy. But be aware, particularly if you are not an owner's manual reader, you don't drop or slam the rear window when closing it. There is an electric motor operated latch that gently pulls the tailgate closed. - The top doesn't rattle, on my car, with the top closed. I don't generally drive with the top open (see next); - The noise and buffeting with the top open is objectionable to me - at anything faster than boulevard cruising speed, even though there is a plastic spoiler that pops up with the top open; - I was worried that the retractable sun shade was too thin and "gauzy" to keep the sun from beating down on my head. That turned out not to be a problem. The sun shade is pretty effective. A 2003 car may still be eligible to be CPO'ed....less than eight years from the "in service date" and less than 100,000 miles. If you are purchasing the car from a Porsche dealer, you might ask if the car can be CPO'ed. It could cost you the price of a pre-CPO inspection and will cost you the price of the warranty which is about $2,000. I wouldn't pay for any items that had to be done to make the car warrantable. Bill

Thanks for the suggestion. The only items that are not mere check boxes on the CPO were the brake pad and rotor measurements. I have asked the dealer replacing the clutch to look into the ignition history. You can also multiply the number of operational hours by 32-33 miles per hour to get a rough check on the mileage indicated on the odometer. I would expect to see 125-135 operating hours equating to the 4129 miles indicated on the odometer. Bill

ric, A dealer might consider CPO'ing a car such as yours. However, the car cannot be CPO'ed unless the dealer has title (legally owns) the car. Thus, you would have to sell the car to the dealer, pay for the CPO inspection, pay to have any defects repaired (either directly or in the re-purchase price), pay for the CPO policy (~$2,000) and repurchase the car....paying sales tax, registration, etc., etc. And, that is if you can find a dealer willing to do it. A dealership that had originally sold the car, and maintained it, would be the best prospect, if it exists. Further, when purchasing an already CPO'ed car, if the seller isn't a Porsche dealer or the private party owner of the car, the CPO warrenty becomes void. Thus, a third party dealer can't make a claim that a Porsche it may have for sale comes with a CPO warranty. A CPO warranty can be transferred from private party seller to private party buyer for a ~$50 fee. Bill

Peter, Did the CPO paper work give any indication of the operating hours and/or ignitions history? I would have the dealer hook up a PIWIS to the car and check the DME for the "ignitions" history and compare that against the number of hours. For example, if the car has operated 120 hours and there is a history of rev limiter action at +/-119.9 hours, it would tend to indicate that the car had been (possibly) abused by the last person who had driven it. Bill

wwest, Thanks for the information. Things can get pretty complicated quickly when trying to troubleshoot problems. What things will make the A/C compressor stay "on" in the AUTO mode, which I believe is the problem stated in this thread? Thanks, Bill

Perhaps I haven't read the problem correctly but, doesn't the A/C compressor run continuously with the HVAC "ON" (in AUTO) if the ambient temperature is higher than 32 degrees F/0 degrees C? Bill

Press hazard-warning button so it projects out. The button can be pulled off by hand. If needed, a small common screwdriver can be used to help remove the button. With the button removed, access to the switch is available. On either side of the switch there are two locking tabs. With thumb and forefinger squeeze the tabs and simultaneously pull the switch out using long nosed pliers. Remove the hazard-warning switch plug from the instrument cluster by moving the locking tab sideways toward the center of the car and pulling the plug down and out of the cluster assembly. Bill

Tac, The Owner's Manual is full of information that Porsche feels important. This is from Page 66, MY03 Carrera Owner's manual. ">Do not let the engine idle to warm up. > When starting the engine, be ready to drive immediately. Drive vehicle at moderate speeds and avoid engine speeds above 4,200 rpm during the first 5 minutes." Replacemdent manuals can be purchaced through your dealer for about $30.00, if you don't have one. Bill

Mark, Have your Porsche technician (not parts guy) check his “Porsche Electrical Connector Repair Kit” for the replacement parts or at least a part number for the parts you need. The entire repair kit is known as CARTOOL – Nr 96 0 000 or PNA 721 043 600. It is full of connectors the parts guy would like to sell you the entire wiring harness for. Bill

Here's a link to Boxster Owner's Manuals, i.e., MY00 (in French!) and MY03: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?/files/category/15-boxstercayman-owners-manuals/ Bill

I was at my dealer's shop the other day and spotted an engine being readied for shipment to PNA. When I asked about it, I was told that it was a MY03 Boxster engine that had been removed from a car following an IMS failure. I am happy to say that it wasn't my MY03! But it did get my attention. The technicians have told me, in the past, that they have seen "a few" failures but apparently haven't been inundated with failures. Bill

Guy, Look here: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?/files/category/9-radiocassettecd/ If you check at the top of any page, you'll find three tabs - DIY Tutorials, DIY Menu and Documents Menu - which are loaded with useful information. Bill

You might find what you need here: Bill

What Ed said: "I believe that the wiring harnesses from the factory are unique to the car and it's make-up, meaning that if it wasn't slated to have heated seats the harness will not be there for a hook-up." The wiring harnesses are unique to the individual car, controlled by the initial build sheet.which is in return controlled by the initial order. FWIW, Porsche does not build any car "on spec". The cars you see on the showroom floor are usually ordered by the dealer's sales manager....to be sold "on spec". Bill

Artie, I'm not sure how your AVIC-Z1 installation was accomplished. However, my AVIC-Z110BT bezel is held in with "industrial strength" double sided tape. The 2 DIN guru's (board member trieullionaire) bezels fit so tightly that he doesn't need any tape, glue, etc. Here is a photograph of my AVIC installation: excuse the finger in the shot. There are four small machine screws holding the two side brackets in the installation frame. If you remove the four screws, you should be able to pull the unit directly out. You will then see how the side brackets are used in the installation. Go to post #31 in the following thread to see how trieullionaire does the physical mounting of the unit: If you have any trouble removing the bezel, I would suggest that you get expert help in removing it; not best buy or circuit city where your car might be a learning experience for the "technician". Bill