waynercarr

I have a 2001 996 and was the same due to the age of the car. My speakers were all dried out so I decided to go to a double din unit and replaced all the speakers. I used Boston Acoustics for the speakers, reasonable as well. Looking for a reasonable in dash Nav unit I choose the Jensen VM9424. It has nearly all the features you would want with add ons for Bluetooth and I Phone also reasonable. I installed it in the lower part of the console instead of the upper part.Took some minor mods but looks good and you can reach all the controls easily. I had seen several cars with a Navigation unit in the upper part of the dash and you could see the reflection in the drivers face from outside the car. I didn't want all this light potentially compromising night vision. It worked out well. The Jensen has everything you could want for a price of about 375.00 new. The i phone and bluetooth are extras. No issues with the install just follow the advice on this site posted several time and you will be fine. I finished about 4 months ago and everything is working fine. Worth a look.. but some enthusiasts might snicker at the Jensen but this unit is really a good one. The only real issue I have is there is no provision to alter the illumination colors but they are close to stock or the start up screen displaying the Jensen logo.. much prefer the PORSCHE logo but it is what it is. I like the lower console mount location. I did not need custom mounting hardware or fancy custom trim plates that add a large amount to the price of the install. Also behind the lower console there is ample room for wiring. I did use the stock amp and it sounds better than stock, not as good as an upgraded amplifier and high end speakers would add but I was trying to stay in 500. dollar range.

The harness is the correct one but the 12vdc and key on wires are reversed if I remember correctly. The 4 rca adapters are for connecting the after market low level out that will feed the amplifier already in your car. If the installer removes the mounting bolts from the hayes amp in the boot it will tell him if it is a 2 or 4 way (or 6 way amp) still wired the same. The other adapter is for the power to the radio, Illumination etc. However some boxters only have front speakers some with door speakers some without, some with rear speakers some without and some with a bose system. The topic is covered well in other posts. This link will explain the wiring..http://www.iwantaporsche.net/StereoWiringConfig.pdf

I came across this interesting conversion kit that updates the 996 to the newer (might I say better) look of the 997. See http://www.v-zweeden...products_id=466 for buying details.. they also sell the necessary lights etc. Has anyone had experiences with this kit?? Not exactly sure how to load a pic.. but the link is mentioned above

Thanks for the input.. Yes all the connectors are locked down and yes I purchased it from ebay. The story for the sale was; he is a mechanic, a customer wanted it for a boxer redo, however because it was an older model there was no PSM and the work to convert was too costly. I suppose he tried to integrate the cluster before he found out what was need to finish the work and maybe he damaged the cluster in his efforts. Cannibalization is the answer.. I checked the forum for disassembly of the cluster and there is mention of screws to be removed and the stalks are a force fit that can be pulled out.. but mine are really in there tight. .. this cluster has no apparent screws I can find. There are plastic clips on the bottom and a metal clip on the sides where the mount screw holes are but no screws to remove.. Maybe I am blind but I don't see any. Thanks

2001 C2 Cab, cluster part# 996 641 103 02 70c.. Trip ODO reset stalk snapped off, Bought another cluster exact part #. Installed but brake fluid and ABS lights are on. Bad cluster or maybe the old cluster did not recognize the fault signal. Maybe the warning light issue is related as both are pointing towards the brake system. The new cluster works perfect with this exception. Checked brake fluid and it is full, ABS seems to be working. Could the senders be checked for proper signals. I have removed the new cluster and reinstalled the old one. Everything on the old one works, fine, reinstalled the new one thinking maybe it was a connection, but the same issue occurred. Could there be a software fix? Or is the cluster suspect. Any advice as what to do going forward would be great.

I think this is what you want: http://www.realtime.net/~rentner/Porsche/L...risPCM/PCM.html I had the same idea as you.. got the head unit, nav unit cd player, amp, and some cables. Ebay product, spent 800.00 and the thing does not work. Screwed!!! The issues you will have are harnesses and Navigation CDs. The pcm1 with the 16 bit drive is better than the 8 bit as you know but the latest update was 2001. For Opel I think. Anyway I am considering an aftermarket modern unit. I plan to visit the dealer soon to look at the 2002 center console assenbly. It looks like the new double din units with all the features one could want will fit this assembly and still have the cup holders above. The 2002 model had a thin cup holder just below the AC vents. You can remove all the markings of the brand name on the unit and with the cup holders installed and just a screen it will look very close to a factory setup but with more features. Wayne

So you bought a car used and have no idea how the previous owner treated it and you call it junk? Was it a CPO? I ONLY buy used cars (mostly Vw and Saabs) and accept the fact that ALL used cars need $1000 in work the day you get them. There is most likely a reason the person is selling it other then boredom. Take that same theory for more expensive car to maintain and the number could easily be doubled or tripled which is about what you have in it so far. When I bought my boxster I got it for a great deal but still put $1000 into it to get it just right with common failure items. First thing I did was buy a Bentley and Durametric and solved all my own issues w/o having to walk near a Porsche Stealer. water pump $200 DIY wheel alignment (4 wheel) $100 Pully tensioner (belt?) $200 Squeeking/rattle front end (bushing) $400 That is less then a $1000 in DIY costs and I buffered my numbers. I don't see anything that is not normal wear and tear or regular maintenance in your comments other then the window/alarm/light issue which most likely can easily be resolved. buy the durametric software for $250 and pull your codes and save money. I'm just not supporting your concerns yet. If you knew 99-01 have engine issues, why did you buy it? or are you having lack-of-research remorse? Did you have a mechanic check out this car before you bought it? I never buy a boat over $10K w/o a survey who buys a $40 sports car w/o a good mechanic kicking the tires? Lastly you have posted your rant in the 986 board! Used cars need love unless they are CPO...sounds like you feel a 7 year old car should drive factory new. Some do, most don't. From owning so many 911 and buying a used car I would expect you to have some DIY skills, but maybe not. I know you will take this email as negative and a personal attack but it's far from that. You simply are frustrated, made some bad choices and seem to have a car with an electric issue with many symptoms that will be solved by one fix. I see nothing yet pointing to a lemon due to quality control or design. Actually I had Porsche check the car prior to buy.. all checked fine. FYI I changed my own water pump, belt, idler pulley. I have a mechanical engineering background and have designed several mechanicals as well, including 2 patents. My point is this: The legacy Porsches are simple and tough in design and do not have serial systems whereas A has to be yes, then B is ok, then C is yes and on and on before something will work. Why on earth would an alarm black box lock the windows when the door will open with a coat hanger? This sort of engineering is too obscure. .. Forbid you have a flat tire.. What do you do with the tire after you change to the doughnut and there is a passenger with you.. Does Bently have an answer for this issue? . I drove (my son now driving) a BMW 5 Series purchased in 1997 and everything still works. 145000 miles. Nothing major .. AC is good, locks, radio, all electronics, bearings, transmission, everything is superb. The only issues were oil changes, belt at 100K brakes tires and the usual light bulb. It is a well know fact that between 1998 to 2000 several engines failed and all Porsche did was discount replacement motors. I bought 2001 as this was supposed to be the re-engineered motor, but I don't have a lot of trust now that I have been reading the issues other owners are having. There are 20 or more posts every day here with problems from ignitions to fuel doors not opening. These problems are on almost every possible system in this vintage auto and I would be willing to bet most of their cars are less than 100K miles. Issues like this are considered premature for a car costing upwards of 40K much less 100K. Yes I am frustrated but mostly disappointed in the newer engineering and reliability at Porsche and Porsche's lack of accountability. Sounds like another car company we all know? Not to mention pricing on parts.. I have the money to fix and repair but a 50K mile car should not have these issues..Also I take one last look every night at the car before I go to bed.. so I give it tlc and it is now giving me heartburn!

So everything came back to life for a while when you changed the radio back out? That seems strange. Could you have a wiring short that got rustled around when you were moving the radio wires, and now it's shorted out again? Have you tried disconnecting the battery to see if anything would reset? I wish I knew more, but I haven't faced a problem like this yet. The battery has been disconnected now for 1 hour. I will wait 3 and see what happens.. Looking at the other threads this issue is probably a dealer fix. There is nothing obvious and i am sure the fault codes will show the issues. I suspect the alarm box and/or micro swithes on the door lock, top, center console and on and on need to be checked. I really don't think the radio had anything to do with the issue as this has been getting worse and worse one step at a time. Thanks for the input. it is really appreciated.

I think a lot of the failures stem from the cars sitting too long without being driven. Seals dry out, which causes leaks or bearings to dry out and freeze up, etc. Have you checked your other fuses aside from the one in the alarm box? Yes sir.. Fuses: C-3 is good as well as B-6 and B-8.. all good. It has been a slow death. The history: 1st the key fob battery went bad, replaced battery after a week or so.. but would not work, lights up on the fob but nothing from the car. Then the passenger door lock would not function, then both. Now the triple on off with the key in the door does not work. Next the interior lights went along with the window switches not working. The top activates the windows and the windows drop to open the door.. now I have a double horn warning that the alarm has a malfunction with a manual key in the door lock. Everything under the seat was dry and pristine. I purchased (stupidly for 900.00 the correct PSM1 and navigation unit with supposedly wiring harnesses). I removed the radio, and hooked up the PSM1 but it was dead. (figures.. ebay theifs) I removed this unit, reinserted the original radio, got a code from Loren and everythng worked, including the window switches. Saturday they stopped. Today I pulled the seat and alarm box.. everything looked good. I am at a loss of where to go from here other than the dealer.

I recently decided to buy a 911 cab, 2001 51,000 miles. Thus far this car is a night mare. I have replaced the water pump, wheel alignment, pulley tensioner, belt, the front end is squeaking, key fob stopped working and now the windows, alarm, inside lights have all died. I have read about a fuse in the alarm box going bad under the front seat but it was fine, no moisture no corrosion nothing. . Therefore I am beginning to believe the box is faulty. Part # 996 618 262 03. I also have read my key will no longer work so I guess this is going to be another 1000.00 fix. I have owed 4, 911s through the years and this generation is a piece of junk on wheels. I have also read about the 99 to 2001 engine premature failures. I am waiting with baited breath. ..

When you disconnect the battery this happens. The windows switches don't work at all. I don't recall if the automatic window drop when operating the top is affected, but it might be. If this is the cause then after a couple engine off/on cycles the windows will work again. I posted a message about my window switches not working.. All of a sudden my window switches stopped working, 2001 996 cabrio. No water anywhere, 30 amp fuse for windows is good. When I put the top down the windows open and shut when closing the top. When I pull the door handle the windows go down 1/2 inch for clearance and back up once closed.. Is there a relay hidden somewhere or another fuse that controls the window switches only, seems like a relay ..I read there is a control box under the seat with a fuse but before I pull the seat.. (the power seat works by the way) I though the brain-trust on this site might be able to help. also the boot or trunk opens and everything else works fine.. Thanks.. Could this be what is happening?? I had the water pump and belt changed and they disconnected the battery to do the work. I was able to get the radio code for this site.. great site btw. When i let the repair shop the windows operated.. now they don't..

All of a sudden my window switches stopped working, 2001 996 cabrio. No water anywhere, 30 amp fuse for windows is good. When I put the top down the windows open and shut when closing the top. When I pull the door handle the windows go down 1/2 inch for clearance and back up once closed.. Is there a relay hidden somewhere or another fuse that controls the window switches only, seems like a relay ..I read there is a control box under the seat with a fuse but before I pull the seat.. (the power seat works by the way) I though the brain-trust on this site might be able to help. also the boot or trunk opens and everything else works fine.. Thanks Wayne

Yea now you have two drive shafts (half shaft) full of C/V soon to click! Most transaxle based cars have many C/V waiting to click...my vanagon Syncro had 10 sets to maintain, break and click like a pack of crickets... I have a 996 2001 52K on spedo and the water pump went bad this week.. It clicked loudly but only when cold.. seemd to stop after the stat opened..it was a weird sound. I thought something was caught in the belt.. . Changed out the pump and all is good and quite. The pump can be bought at most auto stores and the fix was pretty simple, a couple hours total.

Same and common issue.. why doesn't owners write this code down in the manual or something. Hope you can help Becker 4462 radio SN Y5046187.. I tried 6401, 6403, 6404 I am back to wait.. Wayne Try 0860 or 0858 Just like magic.. you are great.. the first code worked.. THANKS

Same and common issue.. why doesn't owners write this code down in the manual or something. Hope you can help Becker 4462 radio SN Y5046187.. I tried 6401, 6403, 6404 I am back to wait.. Wayne