berty987

I think its the same as VW. You push the switch in and turn it to the right (or left) to release the central part , then the outer part can be removed.

Ok,

If your car is a 2006 model it should originally have been supplied with at least version 08.2005 Map DVD , assuming the PCM and navigation are both factory fit , the PCM should have been supplied with software version 3 level B firmware. This means that any early 2004 Map DVD will not be recognised by the DVD drive as it is an early version. You can check the software levels of the PCM and Navigation drive by accessing aservice menu . To do this press MAIN and TRIP buttons together. The 10.2007 map DVD requires the PCM and navigation to be updated to the latest software. Your PCM should already be at the correct level , but the navigation drive probably requires an update. Send me a PM and I can expalin more and give you some help on this.

I went to a track day recently with a number of other boxster owners. A few of them ended up with engine management faults and plumes of smoke from the exhaust as a result of pulling high G in corners. There were also some mechanics on site from one of the Porsche tuners who commented this is a common problem with the m96 engine since it is not a true dry sump and the 10 odd litres of oil that slosh about can get up into the inlet. The boxster has a greater capacity for speed into corners than the 911 so maybe they are affected more. In fact they commented that sticky tyres for a 987 are a bad idea purely becuause of this issue. The problem is cured by driving off the circuit on a normal road for a few miles after which the faults clear and the exhaust smoke disappears.

Thanks Berty,

my dealer says that is not possible update the PCM2.1 because they only have the 2008 DVD Map that can upgrade just level A to level C with the 3 cd's in the package.......

You will need to ask your dealer to order a special update CD that takes your PCM from existing model level to level A. The Cd is only a few dollars and will then allow the map update CD package to update the PCM to level 3 version B software and run the 2008 map DVD.

Thanks berty987 for the reply. Any ideas what part numbers are needed for the headlights and/or fogs to get the bulbs swapped out? Where can these be purchased?

Since you are in the UK I suggest a trip down to halfords will set you up with their extra brilliance bulbs. Currently they have a 2 for 1 offer so for just over 20 pounds you can have improved lighting straight away. Thre bulb types are listed in your owners handbook under the halogen headlight option. As to the HID kits , there are a few advertised on e bay that are specific to not throw alarm faults for the headlight system,. Costs start at about 8o pounds for the kit and can be installed in just a few hours.

The 911/Cayman/ Boxster use a different type of PCM2.1 to the Cayenne , so the update CD's are not interchangeable. The procedure for using a 2005 map DVD in a car originally using a 2004 map is however the same. In this respect you are correct that the PCM needs to be updated from software version 1 to software version 3 (ie existing model level to level B ). In order to effect the update you need one Cd to update to level A , and then two CD's to update to level B followed by a CD that goes in the navigation drive to update the navigation unit. The CD's are not sold separately and come as part of a new map package , and are loaded by the workshop using the PWIS unit (though they can be directly inserted into the PCM if you follow the tech bulletin). I beleive the PCM can be reset by pressing 148 , this may be worth a try before dismantling the whole unit.

The internal microwave sensor is only activated if the car has the roof closed on a cabriolet. If its a tin top then the solid roof may allow for better and more sensitive zoning of the sensor. Certainly the sensitivity of the sensor on my boxster is not particularly high. The microwave sensor sits just back from the handbrake under the center console. Sounds more like you may have an issue with the battery on the battery backed siren . You could try removing the siren as its only an output device so there is no feedback to the control unit if its removed , just make sure the key is in the ignition before you remove it. A new siren will cost you less than half an hours tech time so it may be a cheaper option.

That sounds like official porsche talk. Take a look on boxa.net (the largest forum on the net for boxsters) and ask for some pics of ARAF's car. He has a 987 with a cayman rear bumper cover and spoiler. The car regularly goes to the track and i've heard no issues with rear end lift ...

Netherlands and UK vehicles have additional security to other countries. The additional items are a battery backed siren and tilt sensor. If the battery has died , then the battery in the back up siren will discharge too. I have heard of issues with false triggering of alarm systems on 986 vehicles (which use the same manufacturer for the battery backed siren ) after a full battery discharge. False triggering from the internal microwave sensor can be caused by metal objects in the center armrest , this is also something to check. The internal contacts that feed into the alarm system are the glove box, the doors and the front and rear trunk covers , as well as the covertible top home position. If one of these additional sesnors has a bad contact this can also cause problems. Turning off the interior microwave sensor by double locking may prove or disprove that the inerior microwave sensor or glove box contact is at fault.

I assume that you havent updated the PCM recently or loaded a newer or older map in the navigation drive ?

Gas discharge upgrade kit will give the best performance , however there is some cuation required to ensure you select the correct kit as some kits will cause the bulb failure message to be displayed. A cheaper option are the xenon gas filled standard wattage bulbs. These will offer a slight improvement and are the cheapest option. Do not under any circumstances buy higher wattage bulbs as the increased heat can damage the wiring loom and headlamp lens assembly. I would also suggest if possible you buy UV stabilised / coated bulbs as these reduce the risk of damaging the plastic from UV emission.

The charger sits outside of the car with the thinner walled cable routed out via the drivers door at the bottom. There doesnt seem to be any adverse effect on the seal routing the thinner part of the cable out via the door. I've had one of these units on my 987S for over 2 years now and often the car is left up to a month without being driven , but locked in the garage, with the alarm set and charger running.

I posted some info on the subject of fitting a Dension Gateway in my 987on the boxster section of the forum. The 997 and 987 use the same PCM so the install is essentially the same for both cars. Fitting takes about 1 hour and if you already have a CD changer , doesn't require a trip to the Porsche main agent. The dension allows you to play I pod or USB tracks directly controlled via the PCM. There is also an additional module you can buy that synchs with your bluetooth phone mimmicking the OEM phone system.

To be honest I would not bother changing the instrument cluster, just set the digital display to read KMPH rather than MPH. I've been driving my LHD 987s like this for the last 3 years without a problem.

Depending on the software version of your PCM , you may need to update the PCM as well as the navigation unit . When you press main and trip buttons , what is the software version displayed at the top of the screen ? If its any number below 3.0 then you will need to update the PCM and Navigation unit , especially if you want to use a map that is 04.2005 or later and have the TMC function. The software update comes as part of a package when you purchase the latest map DVD from the OPC. The cost of the current map (which is 08.2007 I beleive) is in the region of 450 pounds. The delaer should carry out the software update as part of the service after buying the MAP. If your PCM is software level 3 or above then the PCM and navigation unit should be able to use any map from 04.2005 or later , without the need to update the software. This leaves you open to the option of buying a used map on e bay and saving some money.

I have a 987 S 2004 Sept build date with original MOLL battery from Porsche. The car is kept locked and alarmed on a trickle charger (CTEK 3600 identical to Porsche OEM). Car driven weekends and holidays in the main. Battery is the higher capacity 80 Ah unit. Lead acid batteries tend to sulphate if not kept charged up.

I agree with Maurice. The main issues on a used car have to be the engine. The dreaded IMS (Intermediate Shaft Failure) only seems to affect the earlier 2.7 ,3.2 . The 3.4 fitted to the later cayman/boxster uses a different shaft design and their have been no cases of failure to date. The RMS oil seal leak is more of a annoyance than major issue, most Porsche dealers will also cover replacement under goodwill. The rest of the car is in the main reliable so I would question the need for an expensive extended warranty. If you do get a warrant make sure you read the small print to ensure that you are getting value for money. The Porsche official item is expensive but supposedly covers everything bar wear and tear items.

It all depends if the navigation unit being installed is new or second hand. If its a new item then it will need configuring for the options you plan to install , such as CD changer (or dension/mobridge unit) , Navigation, Bose etc. If its a second hand unit it may already be configured for some or all of the items , press MAIN and TRIP buttons together to see a list of coded devices. As to the Optical waveguide or MOST fibre optic , yes there is a set sequence, PCM - AMP -CD - NAVIGATION. The telephone module is also optical waveguide but this is on a different loop.

If you are retro fitting a navigation unit to a vehicle previously not equipped with one , make sure the navigation DVD drive matches the chassis range of your car and model , (ie the PCM is the same hardware level as the DVD drive). If its not matched there can be issues with getting it to work properly.

There is also a fixed wing addition for the cayman as part of the aerokit package. I guess theoretically this could be fitted to a boxster if bought as a spare part. Retro fitting the cayman spoiler to a 987 boxster is straight forward , but without the cayman rear bumper cover , looks a little awkward.

I beleive there are two voltage versions available for HID systems 55 and 35W. The 35W is the same as used on the OEM units (which are the same as Toyota units I am told) Those that have fitted the 35W kit do not appear to have the bulb warning issues on 987 models. The 986 models have a different control unit and are less sensitive to the wattage of the HID kit.

I have had a CTEK 3600 unit since I bought the car. This is virtually identical to the Porsche unit save the label. I also have the cigarette lighter adapter and charge/ maintain the car using the passenger footwell socket (not fitted on newer cars). You can check to see if the socket is live by the yellow illumination on the device when connected to the socket outlet , but not plugged in to the mains. The boxster S has a 70Ah battery whereas the 2.7 uses a 60 Ah , there are some cases where a heavy duty 80Ah battery is fitted. Check your battery type and select the most appropriate charge rate accordingly. In most cases the 2nd level (normal car battery) is sufficient , though the * or marine battery option may be useful if the heavy duty item is fitted.

I've a 987 boxster and can see no way the modern lights can be dismantled to replace just the front lens. I am also not aware of a part being listed as a spare separately. The halogen lamps do run at a higher temperature than the Xenon units but painshield and ventureshield do offer thick films that are capable of covering the entire lense area without detriment to the unit , regardless of the headlight type. Unless you have bi xenon lamps I would suffer the stone chips as replacement or second hand units are relatively cheap. The bi xenon units are however closer to 500 pounds each !

I suggest you get the PCM quick reference and full instruction manuals. All the information on operating the system can be found there. The problems you are experiencing are the result of having new functionality and no supporting documentation. This appears to be an oversight in the supplied navigation retrofit package.

Just to confirm what MATTD said , All PCM 2.1 units are capable of running at least software version 3 (this is level B ). Some will require an update to level A first, others will already be at level A and can update directly to level B. The PCM update is done using separate Cd's loaded into the PCM itself , though hte dealer can also configure/ load the update using the workshop tool. The only real benefit of this update on earlier cars is the ability to use map DVD's of production date 04.2005 or later. If the PCM is not updated then the newer MAP DVD software cannot be run on the navigation system and the map cannot be read. The navigation software comes as part of the MAP DVD disc and is loaded the first time the new disc is run. For those in the Uk the update allows newer map DVD's which have TMC or traffic alert information enabled to run on the PCM.

From the pics you have taken you are currently at software version 2.1 , this will be level A , so you can update to version 3 which will be level B.

I've had both the 05 2007 and 08 2007 map DVD's running in my car. I cannot see any difference and the file sizes look the same with the same date stamp suggesting they are identical. Swapping from 2007 to 2005 map updates will have no detrement on the system other than the map being older . The reason for the 08.2007 map was I beleive to allow the introduction of a separate navigation update CD rather than it being included on the map DVD itself. Apparently there were some cases where the navigation system would struggle to update from the 2005 to 2007 MAP directly. The software on the separate map Cd is the same as that found on all map DVD's since 05 2006. The very latest 08.2007 map DVD has the same software update version as that found on the separate Cd and all maps since 2006.

Bundled with the PCM 2.1 MAP is a 3 CD or 2 CD kit that allows the earlier PCM's currently running the 2004 maps to update the system software to allow them to run later MAP DVD's. If your vehicle is already running a 2005 or later map then you do not need to update the system and the CD's are surplus to requirements. If you try and load a 2005 map DVD or later into a car previously running a 2004 map, without the update , the map cannot be read and you get an error message.