wirunner

So bad month for my 2004 Cayenne S with 32k miles. Coolant problem fixed ($1,400) Drive shaft fixed ($1170) and now the starter is making strange after start grinding noise. I am out of warranty and thinking I should dump this car before I blow up another Visa card. Is the starter known to fail on these? I can't find anything in the forums about starter issues. Also is it worth sending Porsche a letter re: known problems with coolant design flaw and crappy drive shaft? Wondering if it's a waste of paper.

Yes starter problems are typical after coolant pipe failure. Why? Because the starter is underneath them. Starter under water = not good.

#1 and #3 sould like a failing battery.

I think #2 is normal; perhaps you never noticed it before?

An 04 on an original battery is pretty old. Sounds like you have an aux battery as well which would explain why it does start fine. I believe the primary key uses the aux battery to start (could be wrong). The owners manual is very well detailed in how to replace the battery if you were going to tackle it yourself. I've done it, very simply DIY.

http://www.cartronic...ortmanuals.html

Then go to Porsche installation tips - page 13. I think it says/was red/yellow. Brown is ground I remember that much.

FWIW, Highly recommend mobridge (also sold as iTronics) and cartronics.com.

Great, thanks! I ended up going with Dension due to cost and features. Any issues tapping one of the 12v plugs under the passenger footwell?

Ignition vs. constant power. Not sure about Denison, but the mObridge requires constant power. I believe the 12v plugs are ignition (i.e. they work only with the key turned on).

What features does Denison offer over mObridge? I don't remember any added benefits.

http://www.cartronic...ortmanuals.html

Then go to Porsche installation tips - page 13. I think it says/was red/yellow. Brown is ground I remember that much.

FWIW, Highly recommend mobridge (also sold as iTronics) and cartronics.com.

Newest model you can afford. Shy away from earlier years and those without warranties.

Tap power from back of radio. I thought mudman had a pic otherwise go to the mObridge USA website or cartronics (who sells it as iTronics) - they both have picture instructions on tapping the power. I would assume Denison is the same and very surprised if the unit did not come with excellent instructions. In fact, I wouldn't buy it if detailed instructions were not available. In that case go mObridge; same capabilities and very good directions.

Not familiar with Denison, but on mObridge, they recommend constant power from the radio. The mObridge install directions were good and show this. I believe mudman2 has a picture forum showing this. I am sure you'd tap power the same way on a Denison (i.e. it uses constant not ignition as the unit sleeps when the vehicle is off - important - check the install directions so you don't ruin your battery and leave yourself stranded).

Again, not sure about Denison, but with mObridge you do not need to install anything on the cdc changer if you have one. Have your dealer code the CDC changer off (PCM doesn't understand two CDC changers and will get confused). Otherwise, you'll simply get an error everytime the PCM comes on that you can just click 'okay'.

Shouldn't be anything you need to do with phone if your PCM has telephone functionality.

Good luck.

Does the Porsche Cayenne S (2006) have this type of input jack that would allow an audio device to be connected directly into the sound system of the vehicle ? The source device could be an iPod, iPhone, or any other type of device that has a stereo headphone output jack. If not, is there another way of connecting an audio device directly into the sound system of the vehicle. My vehicle has the NAV option (I have not picked up the vehicle yet).

There are a number of options to link in an audio device such as mObridge, Denison, and even an OEM techquipment (fancy FM modulator). Some of these only come with an "iPod" style connector. I have the mObridge iPod / Bluetooth unit and it works great. It does have an aux connection as well where I could have plugged a 3.5 type jack with a simple connector from radio shack (I actually did do this but to plug in an aftermarket sat radio).

Good luck.

CPO is way to go (aftermarket warranty second). Many available - search autotrader or Porsche website. The issues you will have with an 06 are coolant pipes and coils (unless already replaced). Driveshafts not an issue on 06. Many other 'potential' problems but most are easily fixed. A Cayenne without a warranty could be very expensive.

Other things to consider:

- Maintenance costs are expensive - dealer oil change ~$250 for example. DIY for much less

- Are you going to tow? Get one with a trailer hitch not the other way around.

- Many Cayenne's have larger wheels that typically have "summer" tires (like the one in the post above). Unless you live somewhere warm, factor in replacement tires - obviously you wouldn't want your wife driving around with these tires in winter.

Happy hunting...

Consumer Reports magazine really bashes the Cayenne in terms of reliability. I heard that the 2003 and 2004 models have issues, but they bash even the 2005 and newer models. Do you think it is a case of a limited production car and the disgruntled owners complain more? Am I correct that the ignition coils and the coolant tubes are the two worst problems on the 2005 and newer cars?

I couldn't agree more. Highly unreliable vehicle after owning two.

With that said, I have no intent to get rid of mine and didn't buy it for it's reliability. Although, I haven't seen mine in almost two months (still at dealer)...

That does absolutely nothing to help in snow.

I would respectfully disagree with you as I was just trying to get through moguls on parking lot in St Moritz. the only way to move was to put in low and lock

Really doesn't make sense...but whatever.

In fact, I believe the traction control becomes disabled when the system is locked (it's been a while so not 100% sure)...Which only further confuses me as to why this would be a good idea. I tried this a couple years ago on roads covered with a foot and a half of snow and trust me, doesn't help. Perhaps in your situation it worked b/c the traction control was sensing no traction and left you dead; thus by engaging the system it turned the trac off and allowed the wheels to spin making you feel like it worked.

Again, if you think about snow driving, it doesn't make sense that you'd want to be in an even lower (i.e. reduced) gear.

Now...if you were going to climb up a solid snow mountain (i.e. snowbank packed tightly)...

I took my '08 S to the snow for the first time around Christmas. First time I ever used the low range and locking differential.

That does absolutely nothing to help in snow. To be honest, engaging the low range and locking the differential might even be harmful since you're on the road and its not really designed to be used at speed.

what model year your car is? I thought the ignition coil problem only happens to 2004 and earlier cayennes

Haven't heard much about 2nd gen, but all 1st gen Cayenne's 2003-2006 are plagued with this problem. Not a matter of if, its a matter of when they will fail. My 06 CS had them replaced at 27k and when I checked one it had the same part # (ending in 00) as my 04CS that was built in 03. There are updated coils used now for replacement but it is questionable if they are any better.

if you consider such top diagnostic machines like Tecnomotor PF Socio and Bosch KTS650 (don't know which exists over there) regular scanners than yes! :lol:

As Loren suggested, PIWIS or PST2. Without a correct code, doubt you'll get much help via Internet.

that still doesn't really change the problem does it? <_<

:lol:

True but if it is a MY08, its most likely under warranty and a trip to the dealer with the proper diagnostic equipment and replacement parts should fix the problem.

This afternoon a friend rolled in to us with a 2007 Prosche Cayenne Turbo.

There's no such thing as a 2007 Cayenne.

:huh:

it was sold in 2008, but the build date shows 2007 (eventhough thy did not sell the Cayenne in 2007 the manufacturing of the new model has started... and this is one of the first restyled models....)

That means it's a Model Year 2008. Model year is what parts, resale info, etc is based off. Try telling your dealer or parts dept you need parts for a 2007 Cayenne. That'll through them off... :D

This afternoon a friend rolled in to us with a 2007 Prosche Cayenne Turbo.

There's no such thing as a 2007 Cayenne.

The caps on eBay look like they are black and white Porsche crests -- your picture shows your caps are color crests. If you replace one you'll have three color and one black and white. May not be the best look.

Actually its a pic off the internet, my center caps do have silver crests. Thanks for replying anyway. Cheers.

7L5 is a VW part number for a Touareg. A lot of parts are shared between the Cayenne and Touareg but I didn't think wheel center caps were one of them. You can do a part search here on Renntech. Just be careful when searching bc the 20" center cap for the sport design wheel is different than the 20" techno wheel. You may just want to contact Jeff at Sunset Imports and he'll look it up and give you a good price.

I have seen references to a T-55 but it is definately not a torx drive bolt.

Thanks

DS

Huh, what do you mean? I assume you're referencing the bolt on the engine brace. I'm pretty sure it actually was a torx drive or one worked perfectly. Got one at a local hardware store for a couple bucks.

is it possible to start the car, and then lock the car after i get out ?

for the reason of warming it up

Sure...use a spare key and lock it manually (i.e. by inserting key in door). Only possible method I know of.

So, if the fiber was bent from the installer, how can I prove it? should I bring back to the installer or porsche dealer for Most piwi test? can it be a loose connection somewhere? does it have anything to do with the bybass switch? I don't really what to do...

Tough call but I would try the installer first. I mean you paid them to install it, so they should fix it. If they did bend a fiber optic, it may require dealer diagnosis.

Having just installed the itronics a couple weeks ago, it is kind of hard to pass the fiber wires to the head unit but a careful installer shouldn't of had to much of a problem. Let them check all the connections and fuses first.

So I will need a #10 spline or triple square to remove seats, but with 2 batterries do I have to replace both batteires or just one. Because one was supposed to be back up so could it have been dead for a while?

I have never looked, but I hear the owners manual has pretty good directions at how to get at and replace the battery. The 2nd battery I believe is easily accessible by just removing the subwoofer.

Also, +1 on just replacing both batteries. Based on your description though, it's likely your primary battery underneath the drivers seat that has retired itself. The auxiliary is only used for starting the vehicle.

Last week I lost the "Comfort" menu in my 04 Turbo, this morning I could not unlock the car with the key fob. I had to manually unlock the car, then it acted as if it did not want to start then it started after a second try. I had to run back into the house and shut the car off when "air suspension" fault came up. When I returned (had to lock with the key) the car would not start or crank. The cluster lit up as did the navi. Isn't there suppposed to be a low volt warning for impending battery failure?

How can I tell if it is the battery? I have no volt meter or charger to hook it up to.

Sounds like a battery. It actually sounds like you might have two batteries and only one is dead (probably the main one). Some early models (03 thru mid 04 production) came std with an auxiliary battery under the subwoofer in the cargo area that was used only for starting the vehicle unless the valet key was used.

I have a 2004 Cayenne turbo and the bolt that holds one of my ignition coils in went in crooked when i was replacing it and now the first half of the threads in the hole are damaged and I can get the bolt to go in straight. Can anyone help. PLEASE!

I actually broke the screw having the same problem on a previous CS 2004. Believe it or not, the coil stayed in fine with no screw at all :P

off topic... where did you get your clear side markers? i want to change mine as well. :D

bumperplugs.com