berty987

From what I read of the tech bulletin , if the vehicle is an early 997 or 987 Boxster running pre production status software 04035AD1 on the PCM and AMP software 00016400 or 00016401 , then the level A update on its own will not update the AMP. It would seem from the hard experience of Arnie and others, that performing a Level A update on a vehicle with the earlier AMP not only corrupts the software in the AMP , but can also crash the PCM. Depending on the actual hardware (part number) of the AMP , it can be updated , but with the PWIS only. It appears that there is only one derivative of Bose AMP originally running 00016400 / 1 software than can be updated , that being PT no 997 645 33 06. If the amplifier is the earlier derivative ending in 04 or 05 then the whole unit must be replaced to allow the PCM to be updated. If the vehicle is running level A software 04202JD1 then the Amplifier will already be at 00017500 , so the only update available / required is to level B. There are no issues with updating level A PCM units with 00017500 amp software and PCM software 04202JD1 to level B , providing you follow the correct procedures in the TSB and use software for a reliable source. If the vehicle does not have BOSE , I see no reason the level A update and subsequent level B software cannot be performed by yourself on a PCM running 04035AD1 software originally. The rule of thumb is if your car HAS BOSE , tread carefully when updating the PCM , and check the software setttings in the PCM before starting. This can be done by pressing MAIN and TRIP buttons to reveal the service menu. If the AMP is at the earlier 00016400 or 00016401 then you will need assistance from Porsche to update the software , if not a complete new AMP, to allow you to update the PCM. If your car has the BOSE software level 00017500 , then the update should be a much simpler procedure providing you follow the TSB and use releiable software. If your car does not have BOSE then the update using the correct software should not require any intervention from Porsche main agents. Remember that before doing any update to level B you MUST also have a new map DVD for the navigation drive , this must be version 2005 or later. If you insert the 2004 map DVD back into an updated PCM the DVD and nav locks up. If anyone needs any guidance on updating PCM's send me a PM and I can explain in more detail and answer any questions you may have..

Please let us know how you get on at the dealers on Wednesday Arnie. Was the old amp recoverable , did the new amp allow the level A and B updates to roll through unhindered ? Certainly it will be interesting to hear if the technician is aware of a separate Bose updae CD for the earlier amps , or if it has to be done via the PWIS only. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. Good luck !

Standard multi block connection, your local VW dealer should be able to sell you these as spare parts, thats where I got the pins from for my car. They are available in standard or gold plated contacts and either as pins or pins with wires connected designed as repair kits. I you are in the UK try FROST auto products for the removal tools, it basically a piece of hardened thin steel wire inserted into the plug side of the connector to retract the tangs.

Take a look over on boxa.net There are a number of forum members that have successfully fitted these e bay kits to 987 models without any bulb warning isues. Best to go on a personal reccomendation than try your luck with another supplier.

To answer the original question , there is no way to get Stereo into a PCM as there are no auxilliary contacts or connections on the rear of the PCM 2.1. This leaves you with the only option to fit a MOST compatable device. The Desnion or Mobridge units offer better compatability with telephones and other Mp3 devices than the porsche item and use the MOST system for lossless transmission of audio into the PCM. The further benefit is that the PCM can control the ipod / phone / USB music selection directly if a Dension or mobridge unit is fitted. If you are an Apple products stalwart , then you probably need the Mobridge , if you have Mp3 on USB devices or a non apple bluetooth phone , then the Dension is probably a better bet. Both cost about the same at 300 USD , only slightly more than the porsche device and a lot easier to DIY install.

Looking at the information you have posted I can see a couple of errors. I assume you did not have the tech bulletin before starting the update , as CD2 should always be inserted into the PCM before CD1 regardless whether a phone is installed or not. Secondly , downloaded software has its own problems as there is no way to verify it or ensure thats its correctly formatted on the CD. The updating of a pre production status or level A unit will not enable MP3 playback. I assume you got this misinformation from the same source as the software , which only goes to show the provider knew little about what they were doing. The update process has periods of inactivity which can make you sweat, but they do pass , you just need to be patient and have some confidence in the software you are installing. Your PCM software was 04202JD1/3004 which is level A , so the update to level B is correct . The software version 1 does not necessarily mean its pre level A , you need to look at the PCM version. There was a revision on the level B update in 2007 ,though the part number on the update CD's remained unchanged , so I do not beleive its significant. When updating the PCM , it's essential that the ignition is kept "on" to prevent the pcm switching off , as a power save , which interrupts the update. It's possible you may be able to reset the PCM back to its original data set by pulling the fuse that powers the PCM and Nav. I beleive its D9 , though you should find a tech bulletin titled " navigation errors after inserting the wrong DVD" that will give more details. The 997 vehicles seem to be more problematic at updating than the Boxster even though the PCM and Amplifiers are the same devices. My suspicion is that the update CD is not wholly compatable with the BOSE configuration used in the 997 (it has more speaker outputs). Certainly i'm not aware of any 987 boxsters with PCM and Bose having any difficulties in updating to level B. I beleive the problem in this case is a result of copied software and not being fully aware of the correct procedure. There are plenty on the forum able to offer help and advice, for any others considering this its worth asking before you try this yourself.

I hope you manage to get it sorted. I read elsewhere that some people have had success ejecting discs from the PCM by pressing the eject as the PCM starts up. I guess you also have tried this ?

Check the fuse , I think its B9. but your owners handbook or the small card inside the fuse ox cover should confirm this.

I would suggest either installing a mobridge or dension unit , these can interface with the PCM to allow an I phone , or I pod to play through hte PCM 2.1 and also be controlled via the PCM main screen. If you are looking for generic bluetooth connection for your phone then dension offer an add on module that emulated the PCM optional phone module allowing you to make and recive calls via the pcm. If you want to go with DVD input , TV reception and so on, then better to dump the PCM in favour of a pioneer AVIC or Kenwood unit. Look on caymanclub.net under electronics part of the forum for details on installation. The Non OEM route is better supported in terms of map updates and with the right install actually look better than OEM. The only thing you lose is the multifunction wheel or OBD control of the head unit.

Press 148 to reset the PCM. Try this first.

The battery backed siren and tilt sensor should be available from Porsche , though may need to be ordered from Germany. The wiring loom is not present for these items but can be added. I made up a couple of looms and fitted one after finding a source for the appropriate plugs.

Getting your car back once its been stolen may not be everyones idea of good sense , especially if its been abused. Probably better to improve the security to prevent it being stolen in the first place. I added the additional Porsche tilt sensor and battery backed siren to my vehicle that are found on cars in Europe. The rolling code security on the ECU and steering wheel electronics would deter most casual thieves, the tilt sensor protects against the tow away threat and the battery backed siren against the battery being disconnected.

The Bose system utilises the MOST fibre optic loop that is present on the rear of all standard radios and PCM 2.1 units from 2005 onwards. The BOSE amp needs to be matched in hardware and software level to your existing radio / PCM otherwise the unit will not work. I am also lead to beleive that the bose speakers are a different impeadance to sound system or standard speakers and therefore not compatable. There are two types of PCM , those with the bose drivers loaded and those without, so if your car was not originally supplied with bose and you wish to retro fit , it will require reprogramming as a minimum by the dealer. My suspicion is however that the drivers and hardware cannot be re instated into the PCM units , hence the reason there are two types. If you have a standard radio , I beleive there is only one option , suggesting that the ability to drive a BOSE amp is pre installed but not configured. The general consensus is that bose is a marginal improvement over the sound package plus , so probably not worrth the effort and cost to install.

I've spent a fair bit of time researching the navigation systems provided by Harman Becker to porsche. The Devices use a MOST fibre optic system to communicate between themselves and the PCM which is the main command module and link to the rest of the car's CAN bus system. The MOST technology is moving onwards all the time so I would expect the newest PCM to use the level 3 system rather than the older 2.5. My expectation is that they are not compatable. The MOST devices are coded with a unique MOST address , chances are that the new MOST devices are not recognised by the older system and vice versa. Certainly all of the tech bulletins relating to replacing MOST devices require the hardware to have the same level of software as the PCM , so a new PCM in an older car with existing MOST won't work. Sorry to rain on your parade, but I think its will be cheaper and easier to fit an aftermarket navigation unit than retro fit the newer Harman Becker one. I think you will be very lucky if you are able to connect the newer PCM into an older car and get the CAN system to recognise the device or PWIS be able to configure it.

No need for a 997 specific article , the hardware , layout and install is identical. If your car already has BOSE , NAV and a CD changer the install is even simpler. Just make sre you get the DUAL FOT gateway 500 unit and it plugs in place of the existing CD changer. All you need do is use the end connections in the kit to make up the fibre optic link cable , plug it in and use the power and ground cables from the existing CD changer as points to connect a scotchlock connector to power the dension. I put my desnion on top of the existing Cd changer tray and use USB for my MP3. If you wanted , you could also put the I pod in the same location or run a cable back into the car. There are about 8 screws to remove the plastic trim in the front trunk, the CD and NAV caddy are removed by pulling the cradle towards the front of the car. Then you can get to all the wiring. A small drill to make a few holes for the fixing scres, some wire tap (scotchlock connectors) and the job is done. Really it,s no more than an hours work.

If your car already has fibre optic installed its simple enough to do yourself. Take a look over on caymanclub.net, the install is the same for the 997/987.

Daniel, I suggest you first look at the part catalogue based on the chassis number of your car. I think you will find that the list of 10 possibilites will reduce to about 2. One option will be for 4WD vehicles and the Turbo /GT3 , the other will be for 2WD cars and be identical to those used in the Boxster / Cayman and also possibly the Cayenne. Make sure you get the correct part number exactly , the last digit can make all the difference. The DVD drive is hardware matched to the PCM so an older genration will certainly not work with your car.

The outlet on the boxster is a single pipe connected to a trim piece. The outlet already has an angled bend, so if you were to remove the trim and loosen the clamp bolts the outlet could be directed more towards the ground as you require. This would be a no cost option allowing you to return the car to standard spec in a few minutes after your track session. Just an idea but it may be worth a try.

The overheating and error message has been caused by inseting a 2004 map DVD in a navigation drive and PCM system designed to operate with the 2005 and later map. This is eesentially a software incompatability issue as the 2004 map DVD's are designed to work ONLY with PCM units with software version 1 and 2 (existing production status or Level A). The 2005 and later MAP DVD's are only compatable with PCM units with software version 3 and above (model level B , and C).

Personally I dont think the update to level B is the issue , providing the Bose amp updates as part of the update to level A. As I commented above , there doesn`t seem to be any other way of updating the bose amp than via the PCM , the level A update CD has the bose update as well as that for the Telephone and system software so its obviously designed to update all the hardware in one sequence. When I updated my own car from level A to level B using the same CDs that are in the kit you mention , it all rolled though without issue. At the time of my PCM update in 2006 , the separate update Cd for the navigation was not avaialble , so the navigation software was updated by the self extracting file on the 2005 map DVD. This file runs only once after a new map is loaded in the DVD drive and the PCM screen prompts if a navigation update should be initiated. All of the map DVDs up to 2007 have a navigation software file as part of the data , there have been 3 revisions in software for the navigation drive since the 2005 version. The last update was in 2006 and is still current on the 2007 map DVD. If you are buying the MAP update and Level B disks as a bundle from a dealer i would expect them to do the update for you as part of the cost. You may decide you want to do the level A and B update all yourself , purchase a used or nearly new map DVD from e bay and the update CD`s via an alternative source. Certainly this would be the cheapest option. Whatever you decide please post back on your findings and results. The best advice I can give is follow the wording in the TSB very carefully and make sure the ignition is ON or the engine is running during the update , to prevent the PCM shutting down in powersave mode part way through the update. Be patient with the update process , there are often long delays with no visible activity during the process. Do not be tempted to eject the disk or switch off the PCM , it will get there eventually or in the worst case give an error after update. If this happens follow the procedure from start to finish a second time.

The level A update CD is part number 000 043 205 460 04 (replaces 01). This has the update for the BOSE (00017500), TEL (0002.22R), MMI (04202LD1) , GATEWAY (04113AD1). After the update from existing model level to level A , the PCM is still designed to work with the earlier 2004 map DVD.s so you can then update to level B to allow the navigation drive to be updated to facilitate use of the post 2005 maps. Interestingly the navigation drive is not updated via the PCM , it is updated by self extracting files on the map DVD. This is why it is essential to update the PCM before the navigation drive. Once the PCM has been updated to level B software version 3 (this is as far as you unit can go ) , the navigation drive needs to be updated either by using a series on newer maps with self extracting files , or by using the navigation drive specific update CD (000 044 901 40). The model level B update CDs (000 043 205 46 02 and 03) which come bundled with the new 2008 map and navigation update CD will update the MMI and GATEWAY elements to 05024ad1 and 04514BD1. There is no further update available for the TEL or BOSE from that of LEVEL A on the level B update. There are different phone software versions floating about, I can only assume these are loaded as separate files by a differnet update process or via the PWIS. I have the phone module in my car and it works perfectly with the 0002.22R version. Other versions Ive seen are 05034B54 and 04464AD2.

The items on the MOST ring such as the Telematic module , Navigation drive and Amplifier do not have separate CAN BUS comms, it therefore follows everything must be updated via the MOST ring. The PCM sits at the heart of the MOST ring and provides the sequence timer for the MOST and interface to the CAN gateway which the PWIS unit connects to. Therefore , when the PWIS tester is connected to the vehicle , the PCM acts as the gateway to the MOST ring to allow the Bose amplifier to be updated. I would therefore suggest that the update CD (update to Level A) WILL update the BOSE amplifier as a device and the PCM itself as part of the update , in just the same way was the telephone module is updated. Difficulties arise if the PCM is at a later version of software to an amplifier that has not been updated. In this scenario the update CD skips the bose amplifier update sequence as the main unit (PCM) is already at the correct level. The more I read about the system and investigate the wiring , the more confident I am that the update CD will take care of the amplifier as part of the update without the need for intervention with the PWIS.

My understanding of the tech bulletins and experience of updating PCM's your particular vehicle needs to update to level A software as the first step. If your car does not have the Bose amplifier , the risks of problems are greatly reduced. On the level A update CD there is a BOSE file that updates the amplifier to 00017500/3504 from the original version 00016400/3531 in the PCM. I've not been able to find a tech bulletin on using the level A update CD, so no way of knowing if the Bose amp needs to be updated separately or is done as part of the updating process in the pcm. Once the system software and bose amp have been updated to level A , the next step is to update the PCM to level B. When at level B , the navigation drive can be updated using the single update CD (installed in the DVD drive itself), though I'd suggest that it may be safer to update the navigation drive using a 2005 edition map first. When the navigation drive has been updated you must run a 2005 or later map DVD and NEVER re insert the 2004 map. The Bose parts tech bulletin is directed towards PCM and bose hardware replacement where a newer PCM fitted as a spare (loaded with the 00017500 software) could be installed in a vehicle with an older bose amp (loaded with 00016400 software). If the PCM is already at 017500 as a result of being a new item , attempting to update by inserting the update CD will skip that section of the program. In this case an amp with older software would be missed since the PCM was already at the correct level. I beleive this is why the bulleting suggests updating the Bose amplifier using the PWIS unit to the newest software before installing the replacement PCM. There is no comment about PWIS updating of the Bose amp for existing production status PCMs with original level Bose amplifiers. Obvoisly if the PCM and bose amp are at different levels then there is no sound. If you have bose and feel brave enough to try this update yourself , providing you update the PCM in the correct sequence , there is nothing in the TSB's to suggest any additional work is required.

Looks like a standard trim clip. These are typically used to hold plastic parts together that need to be removed for maintenance. Possibly something to do with the engine bay. Could have been accidentally dropped down the drainage hole if left on the body when the car was being serviced.

The N rating has nothing to do with tyres popping off the rims , the N rating is to do with the tread block and rubber compound. These are optimised to give the best grip and comfort for a Porsche application , by getting the tyre to temperature as quickly as possible and coping with the lateral forces of a high performance rear/ mid engined car. Often the load index on an N rated tyre is actually less than that of the non N rated version. Winter tyres are a lower speed rating than summer versions so the performance is already somewhat impaired as a result. The N rated version is usually only a few pounds more than the standard, so when purchasing a full set of tyres specific for winter , its a marginal increase in cost for total peace of mind. Michelin tend to be expensive because they are generally accepted as being the best. Before you discount the michelin option I would suggest reading the technical information on their tyres. If your only interest is keeping mobile during winter months and you can accept a change in driving style , non N rated vredstein tyres are probably quite acceptable. If you plan on driving your Porsche with an element of enthusiasm , then I would suggest an N rated michelin or Pirelli will ensure you stay on the road and are not subjected to any nasty surprises. I test drove my 987S in Germany with michelin alpin tyres in January at -15C and 1.5 " of snow. Only when provoked did the PSM need to take action , the car felt comfortable and secure on both snow and gritted tarmac. In europe the average temperatures in winter are below 7C (lowest temp which summer tyres operate properly) for longer than here in the UK , therefore winter tyres are mandatory in some countries. Winter tyres should be changed back to summer versions when the average temp gets above 10C as they will wear at a quicker rate and are not optimised for higher temperatures and speeds. I assume you are looking for 205 55 16 and 225 50 16 sizes ? I think you wil need to get a 215 55 16 for the rear , the rolling radius will be similar and can be checked on the web site below. You may find the following links of interest : http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html - info on winter tyres and the N rating http://www.michelin.co.uk/michelinuk/en/ca...0314172027.html -Michelin alpin Tyres