psng

It is all personal preference. I still love mine since I have installed it 5 years ago. It dim gradually and is not too dark by my standard.

Have a 03 Bosxter base and would like to change my oval exhaust tip for the S type. Anybody can confirm if the replacement is only a matter of unscrewing the stock one and screw the S one at the same place without any more work to do?

Thanks!

Thierry

I think so. Check this out. S tips

Peter

I fixed this for Peter yesterday.

The dealer should have know the model type code has to be in the DME to change any programming. The PST2 even has a warn message to that affect when you try to code something.

Loren,

Thanks again. It is especially interesting looking at the temperature with the hot weather we have here in the Bay Area these few days. :renntech:

Peter

Hello..

Just got a hardtop for my Boxster and can't get the driver's side seated and locked.

It seems that the pin that goes into the spinlock will not go down far enough to allow me to turn the handle to lock the top. Passenger side is fine. I just can't seem to see what could be preventing the pin from dropping into place.

Any and all help appreciated.

I have searched here and on 986forum.com but can't find a solution.

Cheers

Mike

Mike,

You might want to look at the adjustment bolts near the spinlocks on the hardtop. If the hardtop is new or from another car, some adjustment is probably needed before it will fit properly.

Peter

What do you mean "seafoam"?!?!? I re-read the posts and must be missing something!

Fuel/injector/carbon cleaner Seafoam About $6 a bottle.

Worked out great on my 300K 83 BMW.

Peter

The infamous Porsche dimming mirror is in. On it, for future reference, there is an Audi part number of 4D0 857 511 D (01C?)

Thank you all for the helps and suggestions. :renntech:

Peter

Kudos to Tool Pants and Jeff at Sunset, the Porsche mirror is coming from NJ!

The Audi mirror does not come with covers for the wires as shown on Jeff’s picture. I’ve found the part numbers listed below from VW/Audi ETKA:

4B085759301C Cover

4B0857511C01C Dimming Mirror

8E08575934PK Cover

Peter

These are available in the aftermarket from one of the same companies that supplies the auto industry. Maybe not exactly the PAG or Audi mirrors being discussed, but worth a look in my opinion. See http://www.mitocorp.com/flash/nightvisions...mingmirrors.htm

--Brian

Brian,

Thanks for the link but they don't offer an adpter bracket for Porsche.

Peter

5 Years ago Henry put in the mirror kit in his 2000. One of the projects filmed for the DVDs. This is a picture of the kit.

Hummm… where the cable goes up to the headliner looks different between the PAG and Audi. I noticed that on the DVD but it is quite clear on the picture. I supposed that the Audi mirror is pin to pin compatible but with a different “tail” to fit the A6 roof/windshield. Does the Audi round mounting hole look like it would be a direct fit?

Thanks!

Peter

The first objective is to remove the column steering housing. First extend the steering wheel to it's maximum telescoping length. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and you will see 2 screws in the housing. Then turn the wheel completely to the left and you will see two more screws and remove them. You will also need to remove 1 screw on each side of the column housing. There are 2 plastic clips on the bottom of the housing that you just push out and the housing assembly will come apart. You will then have access to the column switch and on the bottom left you will have the mounting location. In putting the housing back together I found it important to line up the bottom plastic tabs first. The tabs are part of the inside cable housing holders and can move easily. Keep it all lined up and it should go back together.

HooKoo3,

Great tips. Thanks!

Peter

Jeff at Sunset is nice enough to take some pictures of the Audi 4B0 857 511C 01C mirror. I have never seen the actual Porsche dimming mirror, so I asking you experts here to take a look.

Thanks!

Peter

Success, I now have an operational OBC. Thanks to all and this site for the great information. A few suggestions for those that might try this.

1. I would recommend installing the OBC switch before having the OBC enabled. I think this makes it easier for the technician to verify the programming and for the PIWIS to know that it can be enabled.

2. You need five of the 000-979-009 wires to make the wiring harness for a 2001 Boxster S

3. I added the OBC switch to the existing 3 switch column. It was easier to remove the switch from the new 4 column switch I purchased and adding it to the existing column switch. This meant I didn't have to take the airbag and steering wheel off.

4. I was also able to have the OBC readout and AC to be in Celcius.

Good for you! Are there any tips you can share adding the 4th stalk? The wirteups I got all have the steering wheel taking off.

Thanks!

Peter

I did some research.

Starting MY02, the A6 has dimming mirror with compass

Part # 4Z7 857 511B 01C ($450)

MY01 has a different part # 4B0 857 511C 01C ($250).

I assume this is the one without the compass.

Peter

The mirror is the same as the Audi self-dimming mirrors. The wiring harness is available as a separate part for about $15.

When I installed the self dimming mirror in my 996, it came from a wrecked Audi A6.

Orient Express,

Do you have the VW/AUDI part number or the model year of the Audi A6?

Thanks!

Peter

I used a mirror from an 02 A6. There are ones with and without a compass. The wiring harness is a Porsche part.

Thanks!

Peter

The mirror is the same as the Audi self-dimming mirrors. The wiring harness is available as a separate part for about $15.

When I installed the self dimming mirror in my 996, it came from a wrecked Audi A6.

Orient Express,

Do you have the VW/AUDI part number or the model year of the Audi A6?

Thanks!

Peter

I said the same thing to the parts guy. Also if you have the outside dimming mirror that won't work because the sensor is in the interior mirror.

But I will not be suprised if Porsche comes out with something sooner or later. Porsche has discontinued other things, like the original real speaker kit, just to later come out with a new version with the extension wiring harness needed for 2003-2004.

I am sure hope that is the case. The 986/996 is not "that" old and seeing parts discontinued worries me.

I was looking into the retrofit but according to the few dealers I asked, the dimming mirror kit 000 004 801 46 is no longer available. The mirror itself 996 731 982 00 01C has also been discontinued according to Jeff at Sunset.

Peter

Loren,

PM Sent.

Thanks!

Peter

Yes, the info is all over the Internet and well documented but the problem is finding someone has the Porsche Tester, knowing how, and willing to do it. Going to the dealership is like pulling teeth. <_<

Peter

There is a list here of people with testers that are willing to help.

Including me - and i have both a PST2 and PIWIS.

Yes, the info is all over the Internet and well documented but the problem is finding someone has the Porsche Tester, knowing how, and willing to do it. Going to the dealership is like pulling teeth. <_<

Peter

After all these years you would think it will be easier with the dealerships. It is hard to believe I am the first 03 owner asking for an OBC turn up.

Peter

Hookoo3,

I had a similar experience try to enable the OBC on my 2003 Boxster. The local dealer told me that it cannot be done even after I showed them the PCA link for the steps. I also offered to show them Tool Pants’ DVDs but …

As Tool Pants said on my thread 2003 OBC Help (SF Bay Area), they are mechanics not DIY hackers. I guess this is something they are not too interested in.

My Boxster is still not OBC enabled yet. :(

Peter

Tool Pants,

It was Eric, he is still there. Stead moved to where Honda was before a few years back. I can understand where he comes from.

If you are willing to turn it on for me, I am more than happy to take a trip down to San Jose. I'll PM you my email address.

Thanks!

Peter

I think Eric Schaefer is still the service manage of Stead Porsche. I met him about 7 years ago when the then new model was a 2001. He told me it could not be done on a 2001, but I had already done it on a 2001. I gave him a copy of Peter Smith's instructions and showed him the wiring harness Peter came up with.

About a week later Eric said they had done the retrofit on a customer's car, but it was something he did not think the dealership would be offering. I understand this. Mechanics are not trained to do "hacks" like this. This is really a DIY project.

If you want to go to San Jose I can turn it on. As Loren said, on a 2003 the order type for some reason is missing from the DME.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...0&start=100

Loren,

I thought by now dealerships would know this procedure so I did not bring along the DVD. I did show them the PCA page on my laptop but they were unwilling to do it. They said they only have done it on pre-02. I guess they were afraid to screw up my cluster.

I am looking for somewhere that has done this before so I can just go in and get it done.

Peter

This is likely a common problem.

They need to enter the model order type in the DME vehicle data in order to change any programming. (They really should have known this).

Tool Pants,

I got the 3 DVDs (money well spent) but they have no interest seeing the clips.

Peter

I have been told it can't be done on a 2003....

What kind of video do you have?

Actually, the first ever OBC retrofit was done on Scott's 2003 on January 17, 2004.

I have a 2003 Boxster and took it to the local Walnut Creek Porsche dealership to have the OBC turned on. A few technicians and 15 minutes later, they said the code is locked and cannot not be accessed via their PIWIS (new PST2?). Having a 2003, I was not surprised on what they said. So I told them I have a video that shows how it is done on a PST2 and an article from PCA

http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.a...A-B79980832239}

that has the same information. Although they were kind enough going to do it for free, they were not interested or willing to perform the special procedure.

Can someone kindly point me to where in a Bay Area I can get this done easily?

Thanks!

Peter