dwaynemosley

For many years I've owned manual transmission Porsches along with manual, automatic, and dual-clutch BMW's. I currently have several BMW's including an E92 M3 which upshifts by pulling the shift lever toward the back of the car. I am trained in the BMW way. On my new 991, my first PDK car, the shift lever pushes forward to upshift the car. I have subconsciously pulled the PDK shifter back into the next lower gear more times than I can count while trying to upshift. If I'm focused on the Porsche method, I'm OK. If I'm just casually driving the car, I'll pull instead of pushing without thinking. Plus, as I switch back and forth between the 991 and the M3, it's causing me great brain-drain.

Does anyone know if there is a way to reverse the way Porsche does this? Maybe exchange two wires or something like that? I can't imagine that this shifter is connected to the tranny through any type of hard connection.

Any thoughts or direction are very welcome.

Dwayne

All the pics you should need are here.

This was a fuel door solenoid replacement - but the EVAP canister has to come out to do that. And, you can see the valve in the pics.

(Thanks to Chuck Jones for taking the pics for me).

Referencing the valve mentioned in the first post as "2. EVAP Solenoid (Shut off Valve)", and the one Loren pointed out in the DIY, is this the valve that doesn't open when there is difficulty putting fuel in the car? My car wouldn't accept fuel a few days ago. It splashed back and out as described in some of the other messages here. Standing there I remembered some of the posts about this problem, so I took my palm and pounded on the top of the fender. I heard a creaking/popping noise for about 3 seconds and then I was able to pump fuel into the car. Is this the other solenoid that Loren was referring to in the DIY about the flap solenoid? If so, is there any way to lube it or repair this "sticking" problem without changing the solenoid, or is exchange the solution? Are any special tools or precautions required for this effort?

Any input anyone can provide on the solution is very welcome. A part number would help a lot if that's available. The car is a 2003 Targa.

I don't see any reason why it would not work as long as the lighter is not switched (always on).

All of what Loren said, plus I use my BMW Trickle charger through the lighter socket on my 911 as well. Always works great.

Porsche specs 17" and 18" wheels for the MY99 Carrera in matched sets.

The front fenders are rolled from the factory. Tires sizes spec will veery with wheel sizes.

17" Porsche spec wheels:

Front: 7 x 17 offset 50/55 mm

Rear: 9 x 17 offset 55 mm

18" Porsche spec wheels:

Front: 7.5 x 18 offset 50 mm

Rear: 10 x 18 offset 65 mm

or

Front: 8 x 18 offset 50/52 mm

Rear: 10 x 18 offset 65 mm

or

Front: 8 x 18 offset 50/52 mm

Rear: 11 x 18 offset 63 mm

Only a couple of tire brands will fit the last option (11" rears) without rubbing.

Loren,

From this info you posted earlier, are these the rim sizes and offsets for all narrow body 996's. ie: C2, C2 Cab, Targa - MY '99 thru '04

Dwayne

Reading the posts in this thread gave me the confidence to attempt and complete this mod today. The combination of methods made this a reasonable undertaking. With much patience, I was able to remove and replace all of the required screws. As previously stated, it is a major PITA. But it sure looks good when you're finished.

I'd like to thank everyone for their posts here. :thumbup:

Dwayne

Thanks I posted in the becker board and they said the same

The seller misreperesented that it would work with the earlier years NON- most. I emailed him and have yet to get a reply. Ah the fun huh? Do you think it would be worth sending to becker to have them check it out? It jsut does nothing and I took it apart and the one tray was out in the player with a cd in it and had to remove everything.

The mechanism seems jammed and I could not get anything to move freely. This has happened once before and I was able some how to undue the jam. Now I could not free the mechanism

Ideas?

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I'm not an expert on changers, so I can't offer you much there.

How about posting the ebay seller's name so others of us do not fall prey to his evil ways.

Dwayne

Need help with installation of a "Storage Armrest with Cupholder,"  manufactured by Bird Automotive.

The unit will be installed in a 1996 Carrera-996, Cabriolet.  Any experience or recommendations?

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I also installed mine in a short amount of time using the directions.

It's 6 months later and I just completely removed the cupholder from it. To me, it's in the way when it's folded inside, and very much in the way when it's open and something is sitting in it. Plus, the additional storage is so deep that it's hard to reach into the bottom of it without wrenching yourself around in the seat to get into it. IMHO, it is way overpriced. All and all, I wouldn't purchase it again. YMMV

To throw a little food for thought into the fray. 

I have an '03 Targa.  When I wired my spoiler switch, I could not get the illumination LED in the switch to light when wired to the PSM switch using the Scouser directions.  This didn't make any logical sense as I had previously wired a switch for my garage door opener and sourced the illumination voltage from a switch nearby using the same method as Scouser described.  Basically, tapping into the two outermost  terminal wires on the connector.  When the Scouser directions didn't work for me, I pulled out the DVM and could never measure any significant voltage across the two outside terminals of the PSM switch regardless of the illumination brightness setting.  I still don't know why.

On to "Plan B": I was able to get the illumination to function when I wired it to the wiper control knob which sits at the bottom left of the "horseshoe".  Mine is illuminated.  I was also able to detect voltage readings moving up and down with the dimming function when I measured across the terminals on the knob.  So, mine is wired to the wiper control knob.  It works and hasn't stopped, so I've left well enough alone. 

I'm not sure if these comments will help or hurt the current situation, but it has been my recent experience.   :)

Dwayne

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Thanks Dwayne. Do you think the PSM switch didn't work because you used the two OUTER terminal wires instead of the most lateral one and the top one like Scouser described in his instructions. I dunno. I'm about to give it a try. Thanks to all who responded.

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You know, you may be right. After reading Scouser's directions again, his mention of the two outside wires are for the new spoiler switch and not the PSM switch. :oops: I think I misunderstood them. :eek: I certainly tried to use the two outside wires thinking that all of the switches were wired the same. In this case, they apparently are not.

It looks like I'm going to re-examine my install and meter across the two terminals on the PSM that Scouser mentions. :)

I'll let you all know how I make out.

To throw a little food for thought into the fray.

I have an '03 Targa. When I wired my spoiler switch, I could not get the illumination LED in the switch to light when wired to the PSM switch using the Scouser directions. This didn't make any logical sense as I had previously wired a switch for my garage door opener and sourced the illumination voltage from a switch nearby using the same method as Scouser described. Basically, tapping into the two outermost terminal wires on the connector. When the Scouser directions didn't work for me, I pulled out the DVM and could never measure any significant voltage across the two outside terminals of the PSM switch regardless of the illumination brightness setting. I still don't know why.

On to "Plan B": I was able to get the illumination to function when I wired it to the wiper control knob which sits at the bottom left of the "horseshoe". Mine is illuminated. I was also able to detect voltage readings moving up and down with the dimming function when I measured across the terminals on the knob. So, mine is wired to the wiper control knob. It works and hasn't stopped, so I've left well enough alone.

I'm not sure if these comments will help or hurt the current situation, but it has been my recent experience. :)

Dwayne

Three weeks ago I ordered a set of the exact same 18" Michelin tires that came on my '03 Targa as original equipment when new. They arrived in two weeks. I picked them up Friday and all sizes matched exactly and they have N1 on them.

The tread patterns match exactly to the OE tires. How does one tell if they are "ribs" or not?

If anyone wants to try their luck with the place that I talked to, it is Consolidated Tire Co. located in Greenville, SC. 864-277-2577. I'm sure they'll ship them to you if you're out of the area. Maybe they can even drop ship them to the installer of your choice.

Good Luck.

I bought the PCM2 from a friend,  and am adding it to a 04 996 with already present 6 disc changer and bose amplifier.  Before tearing it apart, do I need the fiber optic cable module 996 622 705 00 (radio/pcm with amp and cd changer, not phone) or are all the cables already there when I pull the CDR23?

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If you have a CDR23 and the Bose system and changer, you have the fiber optic cable that you need already there. You will only need to change the location of the heater controls and add a new surround, install the GPS antenna, change out the PCMII mounting brackets, put it all back together, and have it all reprogrammed by the dealer.

This was my experience doing the retrofit in an '03 Targa.

Good Luck. :D

Okay, thanks to drpaulmarsh you can download it below: 

 

Screensaver  (about 12 MB)

Unzip and follow Paul's instructions above.

I could not find any copyright information on the screensaver. Naturally it will be removed if it is proven otherwise.

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For what it's worth, on my XP Home laptop I had to rename the 'porsche.scr' file 'ssporsche.scr' for it to show up in the list of screen savers for me to choose from. This may save someone else some time if it happens to not show up in the list.

Dwayne

Loren,

I have an '02 with the 7 disk system.  Are you saying that I can upgrade to version 3/PCM 2 that uses the 2 disk system?

Is this something that would be covered under the warranty or the "one free upgrade" plan?

Thanks,

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No, not if you currently have PCM 1.

MY2002 was a little different since most cars got PCM1 and only the last build or two got PCM2.

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Out of curiosity, does all of this discussion imply that there are some '02's with MOST, or some 02's with PCM2 that have analog connectivity?

While I'm asking questions, is there any analog output on a MOST PCM2? In other words, can you get the required plugs and also have analog output along with the MOST connectivity?

Dwayne

The 997 transmission is made in Japan vs Germany for the 987.

Dwayne

Thanks a lot for the explanation. I moved my key innards to the GT housing today. It would've been a much more difficult process without your instructions.

My Targa has 3 remote switches. I had resolved to give up the rear glass switch to get the GT key working if the buttons were bigger and easier to use. They are. I unsoldered the two switches for the trunk and rear glass, and soldered the trunk switch onto the center pads on my circuit board. It works perfectly. :clapping:

I've heard this before about the MY03 VarioCam Plus programming. I've heard two stories -- one that this can be somewhat improved with a software upgrade (though I have not seen a TSB on it) and two that this is the way it is. Perhaps some MY03 owners can respond...

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I also experienced this problem with my '03 Targa. The car would surge sometime so much I'd have to apologize to my wife so she wouldn't think I was nailing the throttle. Notice that this comment is now in 'past tense'. :clapping:

I took my car back to the dealer 3 or 4 times with this issue within the first 4 months thinking something had to be wrong. They replaced a part from a new car onto mine under the guidance of Porsche Tech support who studied a whole sheet full of diagnostic information that the dealer sent them. The local tech rode in my car with the computer hooked up and the issue was the Variocam programming. You could see it on the computer, feel it, and hear it every time it changed. They agreed that it seemed pretty severe in my car before they changed the part. Even with the new part, the problem was lessened from "neck breaking" status, but it never went away. I resorted to live with it.

Thanks to this thread, and one I saw on another forum, last week I ask my dealer if there were any new revisons of 996 DME software, and would they update the software on my car. I took it in yesterday and they updated the DME. I can hardly believe it, but the surging problem is solved. Once in a while I feel a little bit of it, but it is all but gone compared to what it was before. I don't know what version of S/W they installed, but the tech indicated that it is the latest release.

Hopefully you all can get the same results. I am ecstatic. :cheers:

Dwayne

I have GHL's on mine and love the sound. I think mine is also the regular version as I have no resonation in my car from it.

You can't go wrong with these.

Dwayne

I'm removing the X74 suspension from my '03 Targa on Tuesday after 3000 miles, and installing PSS-9's. I've been told that I need to "corner balance" the car.

After the swap, if I get the car realigned at the Porsche dealer, is that enough? Do they typically corner balance a car during an alignment? What exactly is this, and is it absolutely necessary? If so, what does it typically cost?

Sorry for all of the questions, but I don't understand some of these processes. I don't want to go the Porsche dealer and hear a great big sucking sound from my wallet :eek: if I'm not sure about what they may tell me.

Regards,

Dwayne

Each window has 2 regulator pads, and yours are dirty and need to be replaced.  It's a common problem--seems like every Boxster loaner I've driven had the problem also.  Dealers stock the pads and replace them under warranty.  I've had this issue with all 3 of my 996s--multiple times on 2 of them!

My car has done this since new. When you refer to it being "dirty", what exactly do you mean? My circles are clean, and haven't changed since new. It is now a year old, and still does it. Will it ever quit by itself?

Finally, do they have to take the door panels off to repair this? I hate to have them digging into my car taking it apart and causing rattles, etc.

Dwayne

After reading Loren's excellent DIY on the oil change, I have decided to try it mysely.  Can anyone tell me where I can buy Mobil 1 0W-40W synthetic and a porsche brand filter on the internet?

Thanks, Jim

I found the oil either at Advance Auto Parts or Autozone. I can find my way back to it, but I can't remember exactly which one of the two it was. :) It was reasonably priced.

Hope this helps.

Dwayne

I have an '03 996 Targa with a BOSE system using the MOST optical crap. I want to upgrade to a TrafficPro, and am stuck with going to an aftermarket amp and changing out all of the speakers unless I can come up with an '02 Bose amp reasonably priced.

Anyone have an '02 Bose Amplifier they would like to sell? Maybe you've upgraded to a better amp and have one of these around collecting dust. I assume the '02 & '03 would be interchangeable..??

Any other thoughts on how to solve this are welcome. I assume it's a major PITA to change out all of the speakers? Anyone know of any reasonably priced amplifiers that can handle a 2 ohm load?

Any help or guidance toward a solution is appreciated. I'm going to post this on a couple of other boards as well.

Thanks in advance.

Dwayne

I "second" everything you said about the positive changes with this SSK. It works well right out of the box. Absolutely no left/right issues, no adjustment issues, nothing, just install and go.

When I made the decision to order a SSK, I "thought" I ordered the in-car version. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to find the under-car version. Justin convinced me to try it anyway, and I'm sure glad he did.

It is so simple, yet works so well.

Dwayne

www.trafficpro2.com

or becker.de I think it is the 7810....don't hold me to the number. Bigger screen, more in unit memory, faster processing and  some features we will never figure out well enough to use.    Where are the $500 Traffic Pros?

They're everywhere starting today. Crutchfield, Bavauto, Sounddomain, (.com) etc. They've discounted them to $499. in a move to prepare for a replacement unit. Hopefully it is the one that is like the European version. 16mb mem, faster processer, mp3 capability, dual illumination, etc. I'm not sure when this one will be released.

The "trafficpro2.com" address leads me to a TrafficPro with green lighting like the Ford units. I can't tell if this one has the newer features or not. Will yours do any of the things I mentioned above?

Dwayne

I can't help with the wiring. I'm a few steps behind you.

I'd like to know the difference in a regular TrafficPro and this II model you're talking about. If you've discovered that there is a difference, where can I read about the differences, where did you get it, what is the Ford connection, etc.?

Any info you can share may help prevent me and others from making a purchasing mistake.

Thanks,

Dwayne

Do you know if the "twist on" adaptors in our cars is the same as on a BMW? There is a guy that sells mirror adaptors for BMW's that twists onto the existing mirror mounting button/clip and converts it into a universal mount that a Mito mirror will attach to. I have purchased these for several of my M cars that didn't have self-dimming mirrors. I currently have one on an M coupe with a Mito mirror attached. They are available in two different thicknesses/depths depending on the car and your height to better place the mirror adjustment limits.

For more info see http://www.z3mirrors.com/default.htm.

Good Luck,

Dwayne