JimPDX

Thx Loren...I'm checking out the links now...affordable peace of mind!! Jim

Does anyone have any experience with the Equus OBD II Code Reader? I'm thinking of buying one. Priced at $125.00. Any recommendations for a code reader to purchase... Thx... Jim

OK...now I understand. I don't think I have noticed this before. Thanks for the pictures!! Jim <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have an early 99 996 that has the original amber lights. These give the car a bit dated look, But I think they work, I toyed with the idea about upgraging to clear light's but it doesnt seem worth the trouble. Now I like the amber just as well. The average person (non-porsche type) is not going to notice one way or the other. Here are pictures from my car. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Loren... Thx for the clarification, i.e., being the tail and headlights not the bulbs. My Headlights are clear and my tail light assembly are the same as your car in your picture--clear, as well. What then, is the significance of Porsche's switch to the clear lights? Does that mean that those that have them (clear) are considered the 'later' builds with fewer known problems of the 'early builds'? As always...thx for the info. I appreciate it... Jim

Thx Krista... That's sort of my thinking as well. I was just thinking that perhaps it would be convenient in the footwell as a kick switch BUT I just ordered the toggle switch from Sunset and I'll probably do it myself when it comes in and pop into the console. Happy New Year... Jim Having just watched an installer re-wire the spoiler switch to one in the console for me, I'm kicking myself for not having done it myself. It's really that easy. I'd recommend wiring it to the console rather than going with something that may protrude in the footwell. It seems to my limited imagination that something which could be foot-activated down there could get in the way. Hm. I dunno - maybe a large push button on the dead pedal would work though? The switch is an easy touch and I figure if the car needs the extra downforce, the spoiler has already been deployed. Though I think that it does look cooler when deployed. Please let me know if you put something together with pictures please :) krista <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep...its 993's only... Jim

Does anyone know of a possible replacement type switch that is perhaps a bit bigger than the stock switch that you could use to deploy the rear wing with a tap of your left foot. It seems to me that would be fairly convenient without having to re-wire to a console switch. Any ideas? Thx... Jim

For MY1999 996 what was the significance of the two different colored tail lite bulbs that Porsche used? I'm not sure which was first, the amber or the 'white'. Did that signify that certain models were early and late 1999's. I'm trying to figure out which my 99 came with, because I know the previous owner replaced some the directional and tail lite bulbs. My US 1999 was made in late November 1998. Happy New Year Everyone... :cheers: Thx... Jim

Car theft in public garages is the main reason. Public garages especially on the top most and bottom most areas are very common sites for car theft and brake-ins. I got hit twice. Luckily not in my Porsche, but a BMW and Volvo. Lots of damage. I'd rather be on a public street out in the wide open with people out and about... Thx...

My wife thinks I'm nuts. I refuse to park my car 'just anywhere' as she does with her Cross Country. If I can't find a reasonably secure place out in the open to park one that leaves enough space between my car and the next (both sides and front and back) I simply won't park my car. I stay with it and circle until I can find one. In addition, I refuse to park in any public or private garages and under no circumstances WHATSOEVER will I leave my car with a parking attendant or valet... Is this nuts or not? Thx... Jim :cheers:

I don't have Blizzaks on my Porsche but I do have them on my wife's Volvo Cross Country. We live high up in the Portland Hills and in the winters not only do we have snow at the higher elevations but sometimes as much as 3-4 inches of ice under the snow. All the roads are steep and curvey. These Bilizzaks really hold the Cross COuntry down. I can just imagine what they are like on the Porsche. Maybe next year I'll buy a set... Good choice in winter tires... Jim

Thx for the info. Looks like a good source I'll call them tomorrow... Jim

I want to install a fire extinguisher in my 99 996 C2. Have been able to find Halotron 2.5 pound in red bottle but I can't find one in a silver or stainless finish like I have seen advertised some time ago. Any ideas where I can get one in that silver, stainless, brushed alum finish? Thx... Jim

I know you had a question on proper storage before...take a look at the current TSB's. The fifth one down the list on page one shows the factory recommended storage procedures to follow...just temper those with common sense... Jim

That would be real good. I'm going back to Sunset on Friday on my return from Seattle. Its 94.00 and to me that's cheap insurance...I'll scope out the bottom of my car and if I can find the existing bolt holes I'll take a pic and send it off as well... Thx... Jim

Many thanks Loren...many thanks!! Jim

When I was at Sunset I asked if there was the usual schmatic. Sunset said there wasn't one so if any instructions exist it would be helpful. It can't be that difficult there are only 4 holes to bolt to...but from past experience, who knows, you might have to drop the engine!!! Thx... Jim

Kam... DId you have a highway mishap by chance that a plate would have prevented. Is the install difficult. I'm a little gun shy drilling holes in my car. Thx... Jim

I want to install an engine protection plate on my 1999 C2 996. The coolant hose seems to be in a precarious low spot in the tail and there are also bolts and lines back there that a nice sharp rock, piece of road bebis or chunck of tree limb can mess up pretty badly. Went to Sunset and was shown the 996 107 981 00 94 AL plate. It looked pretty small and frankly, I'm not sure what it would cover. Are there other P/car plates that would augment the one above? Thx... Jim

The MAF for a 99 996 C2 was just quoted at Sunset at $289.00 US with all the discounts. If my memory serves me well the same MAF sensor in August of this year was $137.00. Is there an after market replacement such as in the Bosch line of products that will replace the P/car unit? Thx... Jim

You're welcome. Glad to help...BTW, a MAF is about $135.00 you need a $5.00 Security Torx driver and 10 minutes of your time to change one...then disconnect the battery for about an hour to erase the codes and reset the CEL. I'll take you up on that beer when you visit the Pacific Northwest. You'll find the climate just like home! best... Jim

Hi Ron… My source for this information in Jeff Clark, Parts Manager from Sunset Porsche. Sunset Porsche is located in Beaverton, Oregon which is about 5 miles from where I live in Portland. Sunset Imports 4030 S.W. 139th. Way Beaverton, OR 97005 503-641-8600 www.sunsetimports.com All prices quoted are lowest advertised as in Excellence and include PCA discount. Oregon is a sales tax free state. No taxes will apply if you purchase thru Sunset. (Other states such as California have taxes in the 7-8% range). Assumptions: Your car is NOT a Tip Your interior color is black Your steering wheel is black Air Bag Issues: The three spoke wheel requires its own 3 spoke air bag. 4 spoke air bag cannot be swapped. In the US because of the detonation device and chemicals used in air bags, air bags are considered dangerous and require special packaging from a certified hazardous materials packager/shipper. To ship the wheel and air bag there is a $50.00 up charge for the hazardous material certification. This would be in addition to standard shipping charges which are unknown at this time for shipment to England. You may wish to check with your airlines to see if you would be able to send the wheel as freight on your return flight. Compatibility Issues: Jeff at Sunset used ROW Inventory Film for price quote rather than US Film. From what he could see there were no differences in wheel configuration from left to right hand side P/cars. Jeff said he has sold many 3 spokes and to “the best of his knowledge” mounting hardware removed from your 4 spoke will work “just fine” with the 3 spoke installation. You will need to verify this with your sources to make certain. I am sure Loren or Toolpants or others could be helpful to you here, Quoted Prices and Configurations: Prices quoted for 3 spoke wheel as straight swap for 4 spoke wheel as standard equipment in your 2000 C4. You may purchase the 3 spoke wheel in one of these configurations. Configuration 1 Black Leather Wheel and Vinyl Air Bag Cover Combo w/ Embossed Crest on Air Bag Porsche Part: 0000 044 400 188YR: $756.22. Configuration 2 Black Leather Wheel and Leather Air Bag Cover Combo w/ Embossed Crest on Air Bag Porsche Part: 996 347 982 00 8YR: $936.35. Configuration 3 Air bag alone in leather either with embossed black and silver crest or a color crest Porsche Part: Black and Silver: 996 803 980 03828: $468.00 Porsche Part: Color: 996 803 980 01 A28: $468.00 Black Leather Wheel Alone Porsche Part: system did not read with a part number or price Estimated price: $900.00 (I asked about the obvious lack of logic with the stand alone price and Jeff said he couldn’t explain it but he does sell many stand alone units). Availability: Not available in Portland stock. Parts would come directly from Germany and because of the Holidays please allow at least 6 weeks delivery. Hope this is helpful to you. Let me know if you need any more info… Thx… Jim Ps.. please say hello to the Queen for me and tell Prince Charles that I really enjoyed the public display of his underwear several years ago when I was in Australia.

I'll be going over to Sunset Porsche Tomorrow to pick up a few parts. I'll check that for you... By any chance would you happen to have a porsche part number? If not...I'll just go with the description. I'll check if it is compatible with right hand drive vehicles as well. I don't suspect there will be any tropuble in that area, but I would defer that to Loren or Toolpants... Jim

OK Thanks for the link...it was interesting...I'm not certain that a tire manufacturer agreeing to put a special designation "N" on their tire would necessarily mean as the link points out that special rubber compounds are used on that designation only. Compared to all the other users of similar tires it seems to me that the tire manufacturer would be incurring a large production cost for so small a market (P/cars only) for such a special tire. I guess what I am seeing, though, based on the comments received so far...that "N" are fine if you can find them but certainly other tires are perfectly acceptable. Thx for your response... Jim

Reading the TSB's I continually note the use of "MY", i.e., "MY1999". Understanding that the prefix means 'manufacturing year' (I believe), does this then mean that a 1999 P/car was manufactured in calendar year 1999? My 1999 has a serial number indicating manufacture in calendar year 1998 (11/98). Does this mean it would have a designamtion as MY1998 even though it is serialized for the 1999 year model? Just curious? Thx for shedding some light (in advance).... Jim