ronbonner

Hello Fellow Porsche Owners,

I have one for you all.

I have a 2000 Boxster with 57K on the clock. I have started noticing/hearing noises coming from the front end of the vehicle. It sounds like the suspension or shocks, not to sure since I am no machanic. Anyway, when I am driving from about 20-40 and pulling off or stopping it sounds like an old car with really bad suspension. It seems to make terrible noises especially over small bumps. To me it sounds like something is really dry.

Any suggestions on how one can lubricate the suspension, etc.

Don't waste your time lubricating as the problem is likely to be the lower control arm on the suspension. If you get a noisy, squeeky ride coming from the front especially after the car has warmed up, this is probably the fault. I had the same problem a few weeks ago on my C4 (MY2000 70K). I changed the lower arm myself (although you will need a ball joint seperator).

The ball joint on the arm wears and the squeeking starts

RB

Hi Steve,

I had a 98 Tip Boxster a few years ago and you have reminded me of an issue I had which sounds very similar. In my case, occasionally from a stand still I would select drive and nothing would happen. I lost drive. I had to rock the car slightly and don't aske me how I found that rocking the car would cure the problem but it did. I told the OPC when the car went in for a service and they diagnosed a dirty component which if replaced was in-expensive. They cleaned the part and I never had a moments trouble thereafter. Because of the fullness of time I simply can't rember exactly what the part did or what it looked like but I seem to recall the OPC mentioning a small disc. (could be way off here) I suppose what I am trying to do is tell you that it may not be an expesive reason for this trouble.

RB

Hi,

My car is a 1999 Boxster with Tiptronic transmission. Sometimes, when I moved the shifter to "D" position (i.e. automatic), the tiptronic shift indicator on the instrumental panel started blinking and I got the shifting problem. The shift indicator shoud be a solid green not blinking.

If I pushed very hard on the shifter, then the blinking disappeard and the shift indicator returned to normal which is a solid green. Then there is no shifting problem.

I think the tiptronic shifter has bad contact somewhere.

Do I need to replace the whole tiptronic shifter? What should I do to fix the problem?

I appreciate your help. Thanks.

Steve

For safety (legal) reasons you can not turn off an airbag light by disconnecting the battery.

You will need the Durametric Software, or a PST2 or a PIWIS tester to turn off the airbag light.

Where are you located? Perhaps there is a member close to your location that can do this for you.

I am in the UK (East Sussex) and I had the same problem when I did a 3 spoke steering wheel swap. I contacetd my OPC about it and they told me to bring the car in. They re-set it and charged me zilch. (oh and even found the PCM codes for me at the same time, again gratis)

Give em a bell - might only cost you the price of the call.

Hi,

And once more about using not Porsche CD-maps. I bought used 996 C2 MY2000 from Germany (I´m living in Finland and Porsche don´t have their own cd-map for my country). The Navigation unit is made by Siemens and on the back of the unit reads 996.642.122.03 which means that it should be the 16bit vesion. By using the AC-key and the left button the screen gives the following info: PCM/IDIS V5.43 and Navigation Software Version: PONA628D.

By reading different topics about this I have understod, that I should be able to use all Opel/Vauxhall CD-maps, if I upgrade the software to PONA642D by using Porsche upgrade CD´s. Is this right? And, could somebody still hepl how to do the upgrade. Which CD´s are needed? How to do the upgrade (or will the system do it automaticly when you install the cd (cd´s)? Should my local Porsche dealer do this for free?

The car came with CD-map of Germany (version 2000-2) and it worked well as long as I was driving there.

Timo

Timo,

I have copied a thread on the PCGB 996 Forum which will give you a address in the UK in which you can contact some one who can give you advice and supply the update disk. However, you may need to go to Opel for the Finland disk as this store is in the UK. I

It reads

now have the latest (2005) NavTeq GB satnav map installed and working in my car. The Opel / Vauxhall disc does work in the Siemens PCM but first you have to install a bit of Porsche upgrade software. This is very simple as you just insert the upgrade disk, it initialises itself and then asks you where you want to go (my one seems to have the 2003 database on the same disk). Then you insert the 2005 Opel disk, it initialises itself and ... it works!

This is all possible because of the perseverence of Gerard Mahoney at:

Satnavshop.com

11-15 Stoney lane

Sparkbrook

Birmingham

B12 8DL

Tel: 0121 773 7000

g.mahoney@satnavshop.com

I would point out that Gerard put a lot of effort into finding this fix (along with someone he knows at NavTeq) and I did tell him that if he could find a solution then many Porsche drivers would be beating a path to his door.

The Opel disk is £109.99 + £6.00p&p and the upgrade disk costs £14.99. This is a bargain compared to Porsche prices. If anyone wants more information, call Gerard at the number above - he is very helpful and knowledgeable. If you need any help from me, just reply.

ipod, shmypod ... please give us some more pics of the photo in your signature ;) ! Any interesting story that real spoiler has to tell us :D !?

anyway, nice ipod installation, now we're waiting for .. ahem ... some extraneous details !

cheers !

Sid

Forget the pictures of the ipod - more of the women!

Recently, I took apart the steering wheel to try and fix weak horn bushings in the steering wheel that would beep whenever I hit a bump.

While doing so, my car was sideways in the garage, and I needed to move the car so my wife's suv could be parked in the garage. So, with the airbag disconnected, I reattached the negative battery cable, started the car and moved the car to its proper place in the garage. Now, once reassembled, with the airbag plugged in, the red airbag light is glaring at me! Argh! :cursing:

I presume from the above sequence that when I started the car without the airbag plugged in, it freaked out the computer and it is now reporting an airbag error.

So, do I need to go to my local dealer to simply turn off that light? Is there some other way to make it go away???? If I have to go to the dealer, do you think they are going to want to do an entire diagnostic and charge big $$$? Can I just buy an OBDII reader and reset that error code?

I know, I know, lots of questions......but I've traded the psycho horn for the glaring red light!

Thanks!

Dean

I did a similar thing when I did a four spoke to a 3 spoke swap and ended up with the airbag light on. I went to the dealer to get the light reset and source my PCM codes because the PCM needed to be re-activated and they did it for absolutely nothing so unless you will need the OBDII on a regular basis I would just give your dealer a call and see if they are as unusually benevolent as there were that day with me. I must just say though this was a UK dealer and believe me when I tell you this is not a normal occurrence.

RB

Did you renew both the washer and the nut? The washers are formed to lock, and sometimes the nuts have a spot of threadlock on them. If you renewed the fixings, did you torque them to the required setting?

I followed the instructions for the OBC install found here on RennTech which covers the steering wheel removal which does not suggest any of the following points you make. If you are saying that there are torque values and locking washers etc. to replace when this DIY is carried out then perhaps there is some alteration to the DIY or help given on the forum.

Wonder if Loren has a view.

I recently started to notice a movement in my 3 spoke steering wheel which I had fitted myself to my MY2000 C4 when I replaced my four spoke with the present wheel about a year ago.

I have just whipped off the airbag and found I could have un-screwed the centre securing nut with my hands. The nut had traveled almost to the end of the shaft and I don't think it would have taken much more for it to total unwind and fall off.

Its back on tight again but if I keep this car for the next year you can bet I will do a check in 6 months time

Ron

Hi all,

I am now the proud new owner of a black 2002 996 Carrera 4 Cabriolet that I received last Friday. I will post pictures of the car later on as I have been using it and did not take the time to take pictures of it. The car has a lot of options including PCMII with Sat Nav but not the phone module. Would you happen to know if it's possible to purchase and add to the PCM the phone module, appart from doing it at my local Porsche Dealer as it is quite expensive for a phone system.

Thanks,

JC

Yep, it is possible. I was thinking about doing it myself but with the UK ban on handsets I decided that I can make do with the in-dash mic.

Keep your eyes open on Ebay as the handsets crop up regularly.

Guys:

Is there a way to change the volume of "Bitchin' Betty's" voice commands on the Navi system? If I turn the Bose system up loud, she BOOMS over it... I'd like to knoch her down a coupla 10 db or so.

I didn't see it in the manual...

TIA,

-don

I believe that you adjust the volume of the nav with the volume control while she is speaking. It will always be louder than the audio system though. Hope this helps.

On the nav screen which contains the Active menu (the one with the little box that is ticked or unticked when you have the nav activated) you will see further down the menu Volume. Highligh it and press and you will get a graduated volume setting - just choose her melodic tones to the level that suits.

I agree with Happy911, I have had both and the sports design are more dificult to clean, however, they look the mutts nuts after a good clean (even better after a total re-furb)

Sports Design gets my vote

RB

I have been given a caution at my last service that the rotors are getting thin (60000 miles on a MY2000 C4 coupe)

I am sure I have read a DIY on this forum somewhere but I cant find it now. Anyone point me in the right direction please

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...indpost&p=16992

Loren, have you the part number for the latest RMS being used by Porsche. I have to have mine replaced (again) and I want to check they are doing what they say they are doing which is supposedly fitting the latest seal.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...indpost&p=30612

And finally... occasionally (and it appears to happening more frequently now) I remove my keys only to hear the radio/cd continue to play. I have to put the key back in and turn it to get the PCM to turn off. Thoughts anyone?

The radio/PCM radio will continue to play for up to 20 seconds after you remove the key - that is normal. Does your not turn off after a few seconds?

Thanks for this Loren,

The normal operation is the radio could be heard for a couple of seconds after removing the key. Occasionally now the radio remains on just as if the key had been turned to auxiliary position which I know is timed for a fair old while because that's where the key is when I wash the car so I can listen to the music.

RB

I have been given a caution at my last service that the rotors are getting thin (60000 miles on a MY2000 C4 coupe)

I am sure I have read a DIY on this forum somewhere but I cant find it now. Anyone point me in the right direction please

Loren, have you the part number for the latest RMS being used by Porsche. I have to have mine replaced (again) and I want to check they are doing what they say they are doing which is supposedly fitting the latest seal.

And finally... occasionally (and it appears to happening more frequently now) I remove my keys only to hear the radio/cd continue to play. I have to put the key back in and turn it to get the PCM to turn off. Thoughts anyone?

RB

Hi,can anyone help?

What version is my PCM? - car is build 2000 ,so it should be 8 bit

- part number 996.xxx.xxx.01 ,so it should be 8 bit

- version number V.5.43, so it should be 16 bit

Can I use newer CD's than the 2000?

Thx,Kurt

Yep it's an 8 bit Kurt - I too have a 2000 C4 with PCM1 in 8Bit but I have V5.43. onboard. My CD is 2000-2002 so I can only assume a software upgrade came with the CD.

Is it possible to completely remove the handset unit on the side of the centre console without affecting the rest of the PCM1 unit?

Potentially buying a 996 that already comes with it, but not a big fan of the eighties look...

Thanks

I have PCM 1. without the handset and it works just fine.

With your car VIN, the PCM serial number and proof of ownership - any dealer should be able to lookup your code.

Yep, Loren is dead right, I had the same thing happen to me but my dealer helped me out no problem as well as re-setting the airbag light - didn't even try and charge for it.

RB

I am currently in the process of installing a PPC into my Boxster. So the AC needs to be relocated to where the lower storage tray is. I don't seem to be able to pull out the trays easily despite warping the plastic quite extensively as I pulled. Is there anything holding them/it in beside clips? What's the trick to getting the tray out?

I got this if its any help

RB

The Porsche CD had the following contents:

Volume: CD_4328

Date 1. July 2003

db: gall - 44.21.314.2.86P1 for Porsche

voice: IX12CR 8 Dezember 2000

sw: IX12CR: PONA642D

idis: PO0543N + PO0385N (Telephone 5.4 + 3.0)

My PCM readout(press bottom right knob with A/C screen displayed) shows:

PCM/IDIS V5.43

Nav Software Ver PONA642D

Thanks Nic, most helpfull

Database UK/28204776

Here's the link to the Navishop Ebay store

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/VDO-Blaupunkt-Nav...storeviewQQtZkm

or you can just do a search for PCM 1 on Ebay.

They seemed to think that I might need a software upgrade before using the map CD and loaned me a Porsche upgrade CD. As it turned out I didn't need it because the new map CD worked just fine. My previous 2000-2 CD was unaware of my address (house is 400 years old!) or the new bypass round the village but the new maps showed it OK. I went on a 200 mile journey last weekend and the guidance was spot on. Not as good as Tom Tom 5 but a big it'll do!

Nic

Thanks Nic,

This is a big help. On the subject of upgrading, the disks you were loaned in case you needed them to upgrade - can you recall what disk they gave you?

If others try to use the V/O set and can't get it to run it may be useful for them upgrade using this disk.

Thanks in advance

Ron Bonner

I've installed the Vauxhall/Opel GB/Ireland 2005 MapCD and it works just fine, I didn't need to update the PCM software, the CD Part No is T1000-8039.

Nic,

There has been a great deal of debate on this subject on the PCGB forum but you seem to be the first person who has had any success in the UK. Just a few questions.

Any chance you could give me the link to this dealer in the fartherland?

Was it as straight forward as you say and what sort of quality and accuracy does the maps have?

I know there are quite a few people in the UK that are interested in surmounting the problem (me included) so any help would be cool.

RB

I don't have PCM, but I'm wondering how do you know if you have the 16 bit version?

Paul,

To check that the navigation-unit is 16 bit the CD unit is removed to check the WAP number located on the rear of the unit. For 16 BIT it should be: 996.642.122.03 (996.642.122.00 to 996.642.122.02 is 8 BIT)

Ron,

I lived in Orlando most of my life. The Porsche dealer in Maitland usually had everything I needed. I'm not sure what you mean by spares. but there is also a garage in Winter Park called Zotz Racing, should be in the phone book in.

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Thanks Guys.

I need to replace a cracked turn indicator, a cracked quarter lense on the headlight and I may treat myself to a few techequipment bits too

( oh! and another RMS but that's another story :cursing: )

Can any Board members who live in the Orlando area point me in the direction of the best places to buy spares for my C4 MY2000?

I am due into Orlando on Business for 5 days from November 8th and whenever I visit the US I try and stock up on a few simple to carry spares as you guys pay far less than we do in the UK. I need a couple of small bits this trip so I was hoping someone might be able to advise on the best place.

I would use Sunset but can't meet the minimum 2 week delivery time as I am not there long enough. I see from the PNA site that there is a Porsche dealer located on Highway 17-92 just South of Maitland Blvd but before I drive out to them I thought I would just ask is there anywhere better?

TIA

Ron Bonner

Valcax I assume you are located in the USA and my reason for asking will become clear if you check out the link below to a recent thread on PCM upgrades. This may give you a clue to what you need to do!

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2530

I need to know which disk (or file) is necessary to update version 3.85 to 5.43 when old pcm1 8 bits is replaced by new pcm1 16bits.

That´s all

:cursing:

If you have done a 16 bit upgrade did you not get the disc's that accompany the cd readed - I always understood that to upgrade to 16 from 8  the cd reader would need to be replaced because of the extended memory needed.  I was also of the impression that when obtaining a new cd reader the unit would come with the necessary disc's and that those disks contain the v5.43 software - I did plan on doing the upgrade myself but was put off by the cost. -  I may be wrong though?

RB

Regards.

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Any help?

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