Davet18

Loren Thanks for the great DIY and links. I am traveling and last night the headlights were dim and the key wasn't working properly. I got to my destination holding the bright light switch on. When I have a problem with my 99 911, I come to this site and find the answer. Napa parts for the switch, purchase a few tools, and an hour and a half later the problem is fixed!!! :thumbup: Fantastic website and always worth an annual donation. I have owned my 99 for 6 years and have "never" had to take it to the dealer for repairs!! Thanks again.

I bought the 09 Cayenne S. Love it. Getting used to the size which is smaller than my old Yukon but a lot more fun to drive. Thank for everyone's input. Dave T

Just to follow up on my hitch installation. I used the Curt trailer hitch and the Curt power converter module #56146. The power converter is not listed as available for the 09 Cayenne but through emails with Curt they said it works for the 08 so I deciced to try it and it worked perfectly. For anyone thinking of installing a hitch on their Cayenne 09 S if you don't need electric brakes the after market route is the way to go. The hitch cost $174 and the power converter is $19.00. It takes around 3-4 hours doing it alone. The hardest part is cutting the bumper. Actually the cutting is easy, it is the planning and making sure not to screw it up that takes the longest. I put the bumper in place, marked it and cut it a few time because I wanted the opening to be a small as possible. Other posts indicated that the bumper needed needed to be "trimmed". Well on the 09 it has to be cut. I'm attaching pictures to show the way I cut the bumper. Another hint is that there are two screws, one on each side, under the wheelwell rubber that need to be removed that aren't plainly visible. If you remove all the visible screws and the bumper cover is still firmly attached look under the rubber and you will find these screws. Then it will come off easily. Thanks to all for their posts regarding the hitch installation. Again this website has provided fantastic information!

Thought I replyed already so sorry if this post appears twice. I read your post and what confused me was item 21 where it talked about the controller box. What is the controller used for if not for electric brakes? Also I searched the internet and did not find a Hoppy Wiring Harness for an 09 Cayenne so I wasn't sure if you used a universal harness/controller or a controller specific for a Cayenne. Do you have a model number for a Hoppy controller for a Cayenne and do you know the purpose of the controller? Thanks for the information and the detailed explanation of the installation. Since I don't need a brake contoller I would much rather go the after market route.

Thanks for the quick reply. I had read your wiring instructions and what confused me was the reference to the converter box in item 21. I searched the web for a Hoppy wiring kit for an 09 and couldn't find one so I thought that maybe you had used a univerals wiring type kit. Do you have a model number for a Hoppy wiring kit for the Cayenne? Thanks again for the wiring instructions.

I've searched and read all the posts and TBS regarding wiring trailer lights but one thing is still unclear. I only need lights (4 prong plug) and not a brake controller. If I do the simple splice into the rear tail light wiring will this cause an error message? I only tow a motorcycle trailer which is less than 2000lbs so I don't need electric brakes. In the writeup on using a aftermarket hitch and hoppy wiring harnes it also refers to a controller which has confused me. Help is always appreciated. Dave T

Loren, Thanks for all your help. Your last post caused me to look at the oddment door latch and sure enough that was the problem. About 4 years ago I installed the Bird Oddment extension and the latching mechanism which is supposed to push on the switch to indicate that the lid is closed was loose so the alarm system was seeing a door open and indicated the condition by a single beep. All is good now. As an aside when I realized that could be the problem I emailed Sam Bird for a copy of the installation instructions and within 24 hours he called and walked me through the 15 minute fix. Great customer service. Thanks again

I'm using the Durametric software and there isn't the option to clear the alarm codes. How can I clear the alarm codes?

Well I finally decided to buy the parts and fix the horn beep when I set the alarm. I bought the new sensor (two alien eyes), installed it, and the horn still beeps when I set the alarm. I ran the durametrics and an additional alarm code: 49 K lead, status not present showed up. So now there are the following codes: 49 k lead Status: not present, frequency 1 33 interior sensor faulty Status: present frequency 1 10 Voltage failure at terminal 30 with alarm system active Status: not present Frequency 1 60 Central locking limit position, lock not reached, Status: not present Frequency 7 Any suggestions?

Still deciding between the 08 and 09. I have decided on the S for the V8. I drove one the other day and it was awsome. I would expect the Cayenne to be harder to work on than the 996. That is why I would like to get an 09. It would still have a warranty for a while to shake out any problems. Problem is there just aren't a lot of 09's out there for sale, but there are plenty of 08, so I may go with a low mileage 08 and after market warranty. The navagation system isn't important to me so other than that I read and hear that they are the same vehicle. Time to start serious shopping. Thanks again for the feedback.

Thanks for the feedback. I convinced myself to go for an 09. Still wrestling with the V6 or V8. I live in Florida so climbing in the mountains isn't a problem. Usually only 2 people in it so loading it up with people and stuff isn't a normal occurance. Leaning toward the V8 but I'll have to drive both before I make my decision. Thanks again

I own a 99 996 and thinking of selling my 01Yukon and buying a 08 or 09 Cayenne. I do all of the work on my 996 and was looking to get opinions on the 08 and 09 Cayennes. I've surfed the forum for problems with the 08 and 09's but most threads relate to older models. How is the power and response with the V6. I don't expect it to be a sports car. I use it mostly for highway driving. What are the major problems, likes, and dislikes. i've read about the cooling pipes on the earlier models. If you have worked on them how do they compare with working on a 996. I appreciate your opinion. Dave T

Thanks for the quick reply. Where is the interior sensor located? I plan on checking in a few days to see if I have an increased frequency of that fault and if so replace the sensor.

Recently my 99 996 Alarm when set, blow the horn once. With Durametric I see the following codes: 33 Interionr Sensor Faulty Status not Present Frequency 1 10 Voltage Failure at terminal 30 Status not present Frequency 1 60 Control Lacking position Lock not reached Status not present Frequency 6 I cannot reset the codes. Normally I reset any codes and see if they show up again but the reset code function is not available for this code reading? Any ideas? Help is always appreciated. So far, 4 year and no dealer visits, Thanks RennTech.org and Durametrics

Having done some research that is a good way to check. The noise doesn't change around bends or turns and is pretty constant at around 55-70 MPH. Still not sure if it is a wheel bearing but I'm leaning more toward a very slightly out of round tire or uneven tread wear. It hasn't gotten any worse in the last 2,000 miles so I'll wait and see. I'm putting new shocks on and then I'm going to get the tires checked and an alignment and see it the noise is still there. Thanks for the suggestion. Dave T

Rennlist is subscription. RennTech.org is supported by donations. Certainly you mean RennTech.org ;) Sorry about that. The fingures are sometimes faster than the brain. :renntech:

Dave, Just as with Will, I urge you to make sure you are talking apples and oranges with your dealer. If you simply inquire about "a new key", the dealer may think you mean the entire product: pre-cut metal shaft as well as the electronic head. These pre-cut shafts run in the $100 range by themselves .... probably even more from a non-discounting dealer. You, from what you have described, do not need the whole thing .... just a new head. As for "reasonable dealer" .... other posts have shown that I was fortunate in the cost of mating the key to the car. As far as cost of parts goes, however, both I and Loren have pointed out that there are sources well below retail, both from Sunset Porsche (where Loren quoted them as selling the key heads in the $80 range) as well as eBay (where I got my key head). The bottom line is that, unless one has a good deal more disposable income than I, one needs to be aggressive in pursuing the many good deals that are out there for parts for these cars. The local dealer is rarely the best deal. Tips as to where the best deals are, as well as technical info, are what drove me to find RennTech in the first place. Kim I agree with you that you have to look at all options. I use Sunset for all my parts and perform all of the work up to day on my 99. However the few times I have checked with my local dealer the prices have been what I would consider unreasonable. $2200 for a 60,000 mile service. That quote is what caused me to look hard and also drove me to find Renlist. The information here is worth way more than the minor contribution.

Will, if you're really making this a purely economic decision, then you might want to be sure of you have firm numbers. I was able to get a new key head, with barcode, on eBay for about $75. I believe Loren recently posted a Sunset flyer showing them in the $80's. As for programming, have you actually checked with your local dealer (CLT, I presume)? Mine in ATL charged me less than $50 to mate 2 new keys to my car. I had a problem with the little pushbutton switch breaking off the circuit board so I called my local dealer and they quoted $350 for a new key and programing. I figured I try soldering the switch back onto the circuite board and it worked. From what I have seen reading a number of posts dealers seam to charge whatever they want and there is no uniformity across the country. You are lucky to have a reasonable dealer. Dave T

I gave it a try, but it didn't change anything. I have an email in to Becker along with a price request on the telephone and aux cables, which I plan to use to hack together an iPhone interface. We'll see what they say. I finally heard back from Becker. They said I'd have to send in the unit, and it will be a $120 flat fee plus part costs to repair it. I think I'll just keep listening to my ipod. If I get brave and tear the unit apart I'll post photos. I had a similar problem where I keep getting an error everytime I inserted a CD. I bought a refurbished unit form Becker for about $220 and bought an interface cable for my Ipod for another $15 from them. Everyting has worked fine for over a year now. I like the sound quality of the CD's over the Ipod is why I got the refurbished unit. http://www.beckerautosound.com/ Dave T

I have the Bird armrest and really like it. I was in Connecticut last Christmas, gave Bird Automotive a call and met Sam Bird. Because of the price, I wanted to see it before I bought it. It is made very well, fits and looks like it was an original installation. It adds a drink holder which works well. Only comment is the drink holder is a little short so don't plan on putting any really tall cups in it. My interior is black so it was an easy match but even the texture of the leather is the same as the interior. He also makes a bicycle rack for the back of the vehicle that attaches underneath. Dave T 99 Carerra Doesn't the Bird arm rest still use some of the components of the base armrest, if so he still needs to use the hinge rivet kit. The armrest has a new hinge. The lid is the same but you install new components for the hinge. I'm not sure what you mean by the "hinge rivet kit". See the TSB for fixing the center console hinge... For clarity I have include pictures of the console. It does not use the old center hinge or require the hinge rivet kit. The console as it looks in the closed position: The hinge assembly: The only two things that could be improved, the cheap eye hook for the lock and the cabinet magnet that holds the lid closed. Both work well but just are not up to par with the rest of the components. Hope this helps. Dave T

I have the Bird armrest and really like it. I was in Connecticut last Christmas, gave Bird Automotive a call and met Sam Bird. Because of the price, I wanted to see it before I bought it. It is made very well, fits and looks like it was an original installation. It adds a drink holder which works well. Only comment is the drink holder is a little short so don't plan on putting any really tall cups in it. My interior is black so it was an easy match but even the texture of the leather is the same as the interior. He also makes a bicycle rack for the back of the vehicle that attaches underneath. Dave T 99 Carerra Doesn't the Bird arm rest still use some of the components of the base armrest, if so he still needs to use the hinge rivet kit. The armrest has a new hinge. The lid is the same but you install new components for the hinge. I'm not sure what you mean by the "hinge rivet kit". See the TSB for fixing the center console hinge... For clarity I have include pictures of the console. It does not use the old center hinge or require teh hinge rivet kit. The console as it looks in the closed position: The hinge assembly: The only two things that could be improved, the cheap eye hook for the lock and the cabinet magnet that holds the lid closed. BOth work well but just are not up to par with the rest of the components.

I have the Bird armrest and really like it. I was in Connecticut last Christmas, gave Bird Automotive a call and met Sam Bird. Because of the price, I wanted to see it before I bought it. It is made very well, fits and looks like it was an original installation. It adds a drink holder which works well. Only comment is the drink holder is a little short so don't plan on putting any really tall cups in it. My interior is black so it was an easy match but even the texture of the leather is the same as the interior. He also makes a bicycle rack for the back of the vehicle that attaches underneath. Dave T 99 Carerra Doesn't the Bird arm rest still use some of the components of the base armrest, if so he still needs to use the hinge rivet kit. The armrest has a new hinge. The lid is the same but you install new components for the hinge. I'm not sure what you mean by the "hinge rivet kit".

I have the Bird armrest and really like it. I was in Connecticut last Christmas, gave Bird Automotive a call and met Sam Bird. Because of the price, I wanted to see it before I bought it. It is made very well, fits and looks like it was an original installation. It adds a drink holder which works well. Only comment is the drink holder is a little short so don't plan on putting any really tall cups in it. My interior is black so it was an easy match but even the texture of the leather is the same as the interior. He also makes a bicycle rack for the back of the vehicle that attaches underneath. Dave T 99 Carerra

How do you check the front wheel bearings? I have a slight noise that appears to be coming from the right front wheel. I searched the forum but did not see any articles on how to check the bearing. Is there a good procedure for checking the wheel bearing and what type of bearing are they? 99 Carerra, 62,000 miles Dave T

Thanks Loren for the electrical diagram. Has anyone replaced a control unit for a convertible top for a 1997 993 or similar vehicle. I am wondering if it is a plug in type of unit or if it has to be programed using the Porsche computer diagnostic system. Local dealer charged my friend ~$275 to diagnosed the problem and has quoted ~$700 for the control unit for the convertible top plus installation. It can be bought through Sunset Porsche for $380. If it is just a plug in type of unit it should be simple to change. Anyone have any experience with 993 convertible tops? Dave T It is a plug in unit under dash on driver side. pia to get to though. I install tops in N.J. and also repair top frames and trouble shoot complete power top. Before buying it I want to make sure that I can get at it and replace it. Does any portion of the dash need to be removed? Right or left side of the drivers side. Could you give me a description of the size and shape. Also should the battery be disconnected prior to installation? Any other advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Dave T