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RaisedOnPorsches

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Everything posted by RaisedOnPorsches

  1. I just bought a used CDR-220 and I'm hoping to crack the radio code. Serial number is Y5037200. Thanks!
  2. CDR-220 Becker 1 Type 4462 Serial # W5006362 The shop didn't warn me that they'd disconnect my battery. :(
  3. I've been playing with the idea of taking a roller such of this and converting it to a purely electric or plug-in hybrid based drive system for the heck of it. I definitely don't have the bank role for such a project. Keep us posted on what you end up choosing to do with your Boxster. You have my sympathy. -J
  4. The skinny to all this is Blaupunkt and Becker have similar connections, but their pins for their AUX ports are different. The pin layout is different as well as what each pin does. If you simply plug a cable wired for Blaupunkt into a Becker unit you risk frying your iPod. Regarding differences between iPod and iPhone. Apple has made some serious design changes to the underlying circuitry in the latest iPhones and iPod. The latest versions charge off a 5 volt USB circuit instead of the 12 volt Firewire circuit used in earlier model iPods. For car audio purposes this complicates things because the automotive electrical system is all setup around 12 volt circuitry. Add to this the fact that Apple has included certain requirements for line-out functionality on iPhones (i.e. that annoying "not approved for iPhone use" error) that needs to be adjusted for. Getting a single cable to accommodate the limited Becker AUX port design, step down the voltage to from 12 to 5 volts, AND trick the iPhone into thinking it is connected to a USB data cable isn't easy. Even if this is all done, the iPhone will need to be in Airplane Mode while plugged in or you will have HORRIBLE feedback playing through your speakers from the data signals that it broadcasts. It is a tricky problem. I'm working a little with a contact in Apple to find a quick solution to all this, but it isn't easy. In the meantime take a look over in the Special Offers section for details regarding a single cable that allows older iPods to play and charge through the Porsche CR/CDR-220 system. Sincerely, -Jeremy
  5. It really is hard to beat an iPod when it comes to music storage. If you have a CR/CDR-220 head unit PM me about connectivity options for an iPod. In my case I have a black 60GB iPod devoted to use in my Boxster. Since it is black it is hard to notice sitting in the cubby holders of my console. When I park is more risky locations I unplug the iPod and toss it into the elbow-rest glove box along with any other visually tempting valuables that a thief might want. Buy a previous generation iPod Classic (the ones with lots of storage space) and devote it to your "driving experience." -J
  6. I could hear the sound while the car was moving. Didn't matter if there was a wall or such next to me to bounce the sound back. The sound was more internal that external. As of last weekend I've gone ahead and replaced the AOS anyhow (due to other symptoms). I also noticed that I still have the original coolant cap and there is a little bit of white crust around the port. Possibly that was the cause. I'll be swapping out that coolant cap ASAP. I should have done it last weekend, but after doing an oil change, spark plug change, air & pollen filter change, and AOS replacement I lost track of that last item. If I'm ambitious enough I'll be cleaning my throttle body this weekend too for good measure. Good luck diagnosing your sound. -Jeremy
  7. Greetings, On the way to work today I noticed a soft hissing sound coming from the engine compartment of my '99 Boxster. It sounded like the hiss of steam, faint but steady. When I got to work I immediately stripped down the car to access the top of the engine while leaving the car idling. I didn't notice anything. The hissing only seems to be present when in motion. As soon as I got to work and parked the car, the sound was gone. Leaky vacuum tube somewhere? Another symptom of failing AOS? (I am planning to replace this Saturday) Coolant leak? Anyone run into this issue before? Have an suggestions? First thing I'll do this afternoon when it is time to drive off is check the rear tires to be certain it isn't a puncture. That said, I am almost certain the sound was internal and from the engine compartment. I've only heard the sound when in the cockpit, but I had a passenger who noticed the sound too so I know I'm not going crazy/paranoid. Thanks, -Jeremy
  8. Having installed the rear speaker unit twice now (once in my Boxster and once for a local friend), it is MUCH easiler to pull the wire through the passenger side sill than it is to push it. Use a wire coat hanger (something rigid but manipulable enough to shape it so it does not snag inside the sill). You should be able to guide the speaker wire half way into the sill on its own, then pull the rest through with a hooked coat hanger wire. I recommend taping the wire tips together on the speaker wire such that you have a loop to hook the wire hanger through. Good luck. This takes a little time to do, but really isn't that hard. When you disconnect your battery make sure you have your radio reset code at the ready! Nothing else should need resetting when the battery is reconnected. -J
  9. All in all how much installation time did that require and how much $$$ did you end up spending? I'd like to upgrade my speaker setup eventually, but it looks like a serious and costly undertaking.
  10. I'd be interested in stopping by and watching the process. It is not on my immediate To Do list, but eventually I'd like to do it myself. I'm located in the East Bay as well.
  11. It's been awhile but I installed this kit a few years ago. You can find a couple great write-ups around here somewhere. You'll need a Dremel type cutting tool and some hot glue - other than that the install is a breeze. NOTE that if is the exact same kit as many of us have, it does NOT produce what you would call 'hi-fi' sound. It adds more of a surround effect - quite nice for my tastes! I purchased one of those rear speaker kits at the low low sale price a day or two before someone else bought them all out to resell on ebay. The Porsche factory rear speaker kits definitely helps to balance and round out the sound of within the car. I have a MY 99 boxster with speakers in the door panel. The rear speaker kit was definitely worth the upgrade cost of $80. Eventually I do want to replace the factory speakers and amp with something slightly more powerful. There are certain songs in my collection that just don't sound right because they are bass heavy and this sound system just doesn't get deep enough. I'm not talking rattle the windows in buildings as you drive by, I simply want my rock and roll to sound like rock and roll. Scout around and see if you can get them for less than $170. Be patient and I am sure another deal will roll around like that last promotion. -Jeremy
  12. If you go on to the Crutchfield website they list an enclosure volume of 0.15 cubic feet which is equivalent to a a 9" x 9" x 6" (3/4" mdf) enclosure. Not sure how you fit that kind of cube under the drivers side or passenger side dash. even if you flatten it out out the driver is over 4" deep. Sounds like a custom fiberglass enclosure to tuck in there. Seems like this storage tray sub-box might be a better way to go, if it ever moves forward. There is a car audio shop in Redwood City, CA that makes a custom fiberglass subwoofer kit that mounts on the side of the passenger footwell. It isn't totally out of site, but it takes up very little space at least. I believe this place was Monney Car Audio.
  13. Greetings folks, I have written a DIY article explaining how to modify a cable to connect and charge an iPod with the Becker CR/CDR-220 head units. My article explains how to do it by cutting and splicing the appropriate cables. You can find it in the 986 DIY section. I also sell modified cables as a hobby, but I have a method of rewiring these cables without any cutting/splicing/soldering needed. These cables come with detailed installation instructions. All you need are factory radio removal keys and 15 minutes of your time. For folks in the SF Bay Area I am willing to meet and assist with the installation. The cable is a simple and elegant solution to integrating your iPod with your factory head unit. Compatible with all iPods with dock connectors except the iPhone 3G and iTouch 2.0 and Becker CR/CDR-220 head units (possibly CR/CDR-210 as well I need somenes assistance in confirming this). $50 including domestic shipping by PayPal or cash in person. The Scosche adapter will allow the newer iPod/iPhones to charge at least. -Jeremy Contact me at: j w a e n ( at ) L M I ( dot ) n e t
  14. Did you ever manage to get further along with this mod or have the holidays interfered to significantly with your tinkering? ;)
  15. Not to steal the original poster's thunder, but take a look over in the 986 DIY Accessories section for a write-up regarding modifying a Blaupunkt auxiliary port cable to work with the CDR-220 stereo systems. The original poster here has a detailed step by step for routing the cable which my instructions lack. I'm curious to see what this "iPorsche" is exactly. Cheers, -J
  16. Upon taking a closer look those $200 heaters on ebay are a very thin sheet of heating strips that go between the top of the seat cushion and seat covers. I guess there is some tape to hold them in place. I'm not totally sure how different the wiring would be from the factory. I imagine all the power/ground lines have to run to the same places with just a different sort of switch (it looks like the switch takes the spot of a cigarette lighter. I think I'll ask the buyer for a digital copy of the instructions if he/she is willing to provide them. That would provide better insight to how easy/hard the install is and hopefully answer what else needs to be purchased to use the factory switches. I'm interested and determined, but it will take a month or two to justify spending more money on the car to the gf. The car has already gotten its fare share of pampering this holiday season. -J
  17. On that note it took some work for me to find a shop willing to SMOG a Boxster. Most of them didn't have the proper equipment and most of the remainder were clueless about accessing the engine. Once I found the right shop mine passed with flying colors. My Box' was originally from Colorado. As far as I know nothing was done to it to get it to pass CA smog.
  18. DIY- iPod Cable for Becker CDR-220 Well I did it! I successfully modified a Blaupunkt iPod connector cable to work with my Becker CDR-220 stereo. I also installed a factory rear speaker kit at the same time. Suddenly I find myself in audio bliss! Time for another long road trip! ***Important Note: This cable plugs into the same port as the factory CD-changer (C3). Both cannot be attached at the same time without additional modifications not described here.*** At first glance it looks like the Blaupunkt and Becker auxili Author RaisedOnPorsches Category Boxster (986) - Accessories Submitted 12/24/2008 10:48 PM Updated 03/14/2017 07:04 AM
  19. Well I did it! I successfully modified a Blaupunkt iPod connector cable to work with my Becker CDR-220 stereo. I also installed a factory rear speaker kit at the same time. Suddenly I find myself in audio bliss! Time for another long road trip! ***Important Note: This cable plugs into the same port as the factory CD-changer (C3). Both cannot be attached at the same time without additional modifications not described here.*** At first glance it looks like the Blaupunkt and Becker auxiliary input connectors are identical, but don’t let this same plug shape and location fool you. These two manufacturers have different pin assignments. Bus In is still Bus In and Bus Out is still Bus Out, but the 12 volt and ground leads are switched up. Here is a short comparison of the pinouts for the C3 (auxiliary) port on the rear of either brand’s stereo unit: Pin # Blaupunkt Becker 13 Bus - In Bus - In 14 Bus - Out Bus - Out 15 Steady +12V (Unknown) 16 Switched +12V (Unknown) 17 Bus - Ground Steady +12V 18 AF - Ground Bus - Ground 19 Line In - Left Aux Left 20 Line In - Right Aux Right The C3 port is designed to allow attachment of 6-disc CD changers, Mini-Disc players, and cellular phones. It also happens to work for iPods. For iPod use soe of these pins like 15, 16, 19 & 20 simply aren’t needed. The *KEY* difference between the Blaupunkt and Becker pinouts is #17. If one where to take the cable as it is sold and attach it to a Becker CDR-220 and an iPod, you would have one fried iPod battery! Here is what I did to change the cabling around so that this cable would allow both playback as well as charging support for an iPod: Tools Needed: Insulating Electrical Tape, Wire Strippers, & a Knife. Figure #1: View of the unmodified cable. 1.) Trim back the shrink tubing used to protect the wires near the 8-pin mini ISO plug (the blue plug) end. 2.) Snip the wires to pins #15 (blue wire) and 16 (red wire) near to the plug. Snip the black wire leading to pin #17 as well but closer to where the shrink tubing was. Figure #2: Cut cables 3.) Strip the ends of the blue and black wires and splice them together. This will result in the blue wire now corresponding to pin #17 instead of 15. Figure #3: Spliced black and blue wires 4.) Trim down an inch or so of the black outer tubing to expose more of the multicolored wiring. Now strip the black wire that is no longer attached to a pin and splice it with the zinc wiring wrapped around the exterior of the six small wires. This should route the second ground line present in the Blaupunkt setup through the single ground wire used by Becker. Figure #4: Spliced ground wires 5.) Wrap all of the exposed wiring with black insulating electrical tape making sure to keep the spliced wires connected. Do not skimp on the tape here because these wires will be bent and pulled on each time you remove your stereo from the console. Figure #5: All taped up 6.) (OPTIONAL) Take a black sharpy to that ugly white iPod dock connector and black it out. My boxster doesn’t have any white in its interior so I felt this was a must. Also cut off the yellow video cable. Unless you have some sort of LCD display installed this cable is useless. Tape off the end to make it neat. Figure #6: Video cable removed and taped up 7.) Remove the head unit from the dash using the factory stereo removal keys. (Not included with your car, but easy and cheap to get through a dealer. Mine came with my rear speaker kit.) 8.) Remove the leather and carpeting pieces to the right of the upper console. Grabbing the far edge and giving a swift tug to remove either of these pieces. 9.) Snake the blue plug end of the cable up through the exposed side of the console to where the rest of the stereo cables are. 10.) Attach this cable to the rest of the stereo cables either by more electrical tape or zip-ties to reduce the risk of them getting pinched. 11.) Plug in the cable to the C3 port on the top right of the stereo facing the rear. 12.) Reinstall the head unit and trim pieces being careful not to pinch the wiring in the process. 13.) Enable auxiliary input on the stereo if it isn’t already. Turn the radio on, hold down the TP button until “Becker 1” is displayed. Turn tuning knob until “AUX OFF” is displayed. Then arrow down and change it to “AUX ON” and turn the radio off. 14.) Plug in your iPod and enjoy. Figure #7: All done! ***NOTE this cable does not work with the latest iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2nd generation. My iPod Video 60GB and early iTouch work just fine. With the Scosche passPORT charging adapter this cable will charge an iPhone 3G, but it will not send audio to the stereo. iPod Nano 4th Generation will play audio through this cable, but the Scosche adapter is required for charging.*** One more word of caution, this cable uses a 12 volt charging circuit that is always on. It is conceivable that leaving the iPod attached with the car shut off could drain your battery. The iPod will interrupt the circuit when it no longer needs to charge eliminating the issue more or less. This modification of the cable is really quite simple, but if you don’t think you can do it contact me. I have perfected the modifying of these cables so that no splicing and soldering is needed. An already modified cable from me with detailed installation instructions costs $50 including domestic shipping. Payments can be arranged by PayPal, but please contact me via e-mail first at j w a e n {at} l m i (dot) net Enjoy! -Jeremy :renntech:
  20. I'd like to invest in some aluminum pedals for my Boxster to help sporty up the look. I see lots of different ones on ebay and elsewhere, but it is difficult to tell the quality of the craftsmanship based upon a tiny little picture. I've heard that the ones designed specifically for the Boxster are better than the more generic ones that work on a variety of Porsches. What brands do you recommend? What style (yes rubber nobs, no rubber nobs, etc)? Where is the cheapest place to buy them? Thanks, -Jeremy
  21. For what it's worth, I remember reading that when the Germans were told that US cars needed cup holders they were appalled. Seems their philosophy is driving is something you do for the sake of driving. That you would distract yourself with eating & drinking was foolish. It shows in their lack of effort regarding cup holder design. I've heard the same story. It is a similar situation with BMW although I think they may have caved into including factory cup holders earlier than Porsche did. I don't know if you've driven an early to mid 90s BMW but the cup holders that are there are HORRIBLE. Thin little pieces of plastic that barely hold the cup near its base. I'm pretty sure the German engineers understood the importance of a low center of gravity...It is almost like they design these things to spill the drinks on those who are stupid enough to use them.
  22. For a point of reference I bought my 1999 Boxster for $12.5 from a private party in early November. 25k miles, Arctic Silver Ext., Premium Boxster Red leather Int., sport package, and factory hardtop included. After having my mechanic take a look at it, I spent about $1300 getting the oil changed, one leaky piece replaced (oil fill tube) and two new front tires. The rear tires had about 200 miles on them. The interior is perfect. The car smells like it is new still. It was an amazing deal! That said, times are tough right now and there are plenty of deals out there. Be patient and really make sure the one you find is "the one." Trust me once you buy it all you'll want to do is drive it, not nickel and dime your way through repairing it. Cheers, -Jeremy
  23. Yeah my girlfriend has been complaining about how cold the seats feel when we just get into the car here in Northern California. I'd love to add heated seats to my car. I noticed someone on ebay selling a kit for between $200-300, but the switch system isn't to factory specs. It looks like it wouldn't take much to change the switches and such. Tell us more about what you're thinking here. I'd be interested in exploring this modification. -Jeremy
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