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Update: I set aside some time and was was able to again remove the the lens, the panel (four T15 screws), and detached all the cables. I put the panel on a static-fee cloth and removed the circuit board and homelink/garage transmitter (small T6 screws), detached the proper cables and got the small plastic bits and metal spring off the switch. (The T6 tool was all I needed once the panel was removed.) The middle metal switch had visible melting underneath and the sides and had sunk down a bit -- exactly as bigbuzki and mjg928 described. It's a hassle that the place the melting occurs is the main plastic structural panel housing. Patience was key -- some of the pieces around the switch are delicate and very brittle plastic. Again a big thanks bigbuzki and mjg928 -- they described it perfectly and gave me the courage to go for it. I was able to loosen the center metal post (the plastic had melted enough that it had slightly bonded to the post) and prop it back up with a small tabs and epoxy, so it aligned with the left and right metal posts. I confirmed visually and with feel that switch worked, did not damage anything, nothing shorted, etc. Then I reassembled everything and installed the panel back into the Cayenne. And...foiled! No luck. I can tap the switch and its works briefly but I failed to repair it. I need the lights to turn on when the doors open (far right selection). The upside is I did no damage, everything else works as it should, homelink (settings intact), the two accessory lights, etc. I took pics of the entire process but it would be somewhat ridiculous post them here for my job not well done. I'll send a personal message to RFM, he mentioned a repair kit being available. ("There is a repair set available for the front interior light on Cayenne.") I'm obsessed with getting this fixed. Ideally I would not have fully reinstalled the panel before I tested the switch but I ran out of time and the car was needed. And, frankly, I'm not sure what else I could have done. As bigbuzuki said, it's quite basic once you can see the damage and what is needed to repair. (At least I'm now an expert on removing the panel.) If I do get this repaired I will post yet again and include photos. The irony is, when I purchased the vehicle (CPO) I plugged in a CTEK and literally sat in in the driver's seat for hours reading the manual and testing all the settings so I would not have to ask stupid questions here on Renntech. And, the entire time I was reading I had the interior light on, slowly melting the housing...

Hi bigbuzuki and mjg928: I have the exact same problem as you. 2004 Cayenne S, center upper panel light dead. Ruled-out bulb and fuses. Thanks to this thread and your posts (I love Renntech.org) I was able to remove my panel. I placed the panel on a table upside-down and was ready to go for it, copy what you did to repair, but I could not see where the faulty switch was -- I saw the switch, but not where the fault was. Did you have to remove any circuit boards from the panel to find the switch? Do you have pics or can you describe the switch location a bit more -- where it failed? (I reassembled everything but will pull it out again.) Thanks!

I had this issue once -- I think I resolved by changing batteries on both fobs and then I set-up each-key identically (including seat settings) on two different drives and then replicated the entire process with the CTEK/charger in. Then I set-up the seat the way I wanted on one fob and left the other alone and all was well after. Hopefully this makes sense. The lock settings are not supposed to be tied to specific keys -- they are a universal settings -- but occasionally switching between keys resets universal settings.

Indeed Cayenne battery location is a pain but it helps the vehicles perform the way they do -- batteries are surprisingly heavy and having them located mid-wheelbase is solid engineering. Check out the CTEK chargers -- they can dramatically extend the life and heath of your battery. PS - cool that you changed your own battery, i was lazy and paid way too much for someone else to do it.

...Be sure to read through all the various forum topics and search. Spend the money and become a contributing member -- you can access manuals, etc. You're in the UK so your arrangement will not be the same as this below screen shot from left-side drive owner's manual -- '04 Cayenne, but you'll get the idea.

That a relief. Thanks for the update. Good idea to check what you did.

Cool --- excellent news. Enjoy your Cayenne -- and welcome to Renntech.org!

Papagut -- I PM'd you an idea. Check your messages.

Go for it -- become a contributing member. It's the best money I spent on my Cayenne ('04 S). I actually sent Loren another $25 a year later based on how much he, the site, and other members helped me.

If you become a contributing member you can see the deal at Sunset Porsche. I use them and have nothing but praises -- knowledgeable staff, excellent prices, fast shipping, etc. http://www.renntech.org/forums/spoffers/sunset/

Very easy -- go to: http://www.renntech.org/forums/tsbs/ ...and search for the TSB numbers Loren gave you. (I posted at the same time as Loren above...)

I agree with Mudman -- time for a battery change. Regarding your wiper issue with rain sensing. What you describe is normal. Scan you manual and you'll see the setting detail, toggling off and on is required depending on the setting -- where the stalk is.

Hi -- there is a complete write-up with pictures covering your exact question. It may be in the DIY section and details everything. Become a contributing member and you can access it.

Hi -- Welcome to Renntech.org. You can reset the service reminder -- I just reset mine a few weeks ago. I forget the steps, search the forum and you'll find the post. Congrats on your new Cayenne. I also have an '04 S, I bought used (CPO) and love it. And be sure to join Renntech as a contributing member -- you'll be amazed at what you can research and find, manuals, etc. Best money I spent as I wanted to learn more about my Cayenne. Loren and folks are really great. You'll like the community here.

To sell or not is a personal decision. Sadly there is no proper answer... Run your business case: what you paid, repair costs to date and projected if you keep, what you think you can sell for, vehicle replacement cost, etc. Given the overall negative feel from your post, psychologically it appears you're fed up. If so, then the answer is straight forward: sell.

Next time you fill-up/refuel reset both MPG counters -- one at the main PCM level (if you have nav) and the other via your center console. It may be you had a run of very good freeway or soft-driving consumption and it's still skewing your averages. If you reset counters you be able to start fresh. I usually reset both counters at each refuelling.

shyster77 -- double-check your vehicle settings -- the difference you're noting almost matches the volume difference between US gallon and UK imperial gallons as it relates to miles travelled/efficiency/consumption. Cayenne's (and Porsche in general) tie GPS (if nav eqiuipped) to physical odometer and are usually quite accurate -- they may slightly err on showing more efficiency then reality but not as much as you are seeing. Below from an '04 Cayenne S owner's manual shows you how to confirm the setting:

Some confusion here may be what we are all discussing: 1. the rails that run along the sides of the vehicle roof (part of the TSB Loren sent above) or, 2. cross bars which run side-to-side across the vehicle roof? I installed the rails (thanks to Loren and the TSB -- be sure to join Rentech.org) and they're excellent. The cross-bars I have seen and they look like a basic installation.

If you have the dual battery option in your vehicle you have a larger sub-woofer (it fits over the battery) and cannot fit the OEM spare. If no second battery you have a smaller sub and can fit the spare -- my point of reference is a 2004 S Cayenne. And keep in mind it's collapsable tire -- you'll still need to inflate it once mounted -- just as you'll need to inflate your punctured standard tire if you use the Porsche goop after a puncture -- so keep a portable inflater in your vehicle unless you have the air-suspension. The spare has major limitations -- 50mph max, short distance use, uneven ride (does not not match the dimension of other wheels, etc). If I flat I'll use the Porsche goop unless a sidewall is blown and/or the goop does not work. Then I'll use the spare in limp-along mode. And the spare is surprisingly heavy -- steel rim. If you want to be totally covered get a full-size spare and mount it on the roof or rear -- a major project and hassle. The roof would be silly unless you're hard-core off-roading. The rear spare mount is a big project and makes using your rear hatch a hassle -- you need to swing the tire out each time you open the rear hatch unless you only use the glass window. If you want full size spares look for used Touareg or Q7 wheels and confirm bolt patterns. A pic of the collapse spare in the rear (not mine, I do not have the air suspension) and the manual page attached.

Keep in mind with your CTT you need a large wheel to clear your bakes, I found a OEM collapsable spare on craiglslist. And you do not need to remove your sub-woofer -- the spare mounts right on top of it. Search this forum and you'll see all the details.

Yes, 18" should be fine on your '04 CTT assuming you did not do anything with your stock brakes but double-check. Your on-board computer (when vehicle is not in motion) will actually list wheel options for you to set. You'll see 18". You can research wheel size and compatability here on Renntech -- OEM spec sheets, etc.

Hi -- for the glass rear hatch/lid release using your remote: hold the lid release icon down on the remote for a second or two -- a longer time then you think may be normal. Then the glass lid should pop-up 1/4" to 1/2" and you lift it up. A cool feature is if the glass lid is up and then you open the main hatch the two will connect at the top and you only have to close the main hatch, not both. Also, if you want, search the DIY and you can find info on how to have the main hatch behave the same way as the glass lid -- pop-open 1/4" to 1/2" and then you lift it up. If you do this, be sure to set your unlock settings up properly so you do not pop the rear hatch every time you open the doors. Attached from the '04 Cayenne S manual explains the setting options.

Starter? Mine used to whine and whistle. If not the starter it could be a cold belt makes more noise then a warm belt upon starting. The theory was my starter failed because my coolant pipes failed and coolant fluid penetrated the starter motor which eventually failed causing it to squawk and would have led to compete failure.

Thanks for the tip ManMN -- it cleared the "Service required in x miles" message. I have a 2004 Cayenne S. It was under a CPO until March of 2011 and the dealer kept it up -- replaced drive shaft, coil packs, etc. Reading this thread I suppose the dealer did not update the primary vehicle software. Not sure if that's a big deal or not. The dealer is great (Sonnen Marin) and have provided excellent service and work even now that I'm past the CPO time.

To avoid any issues -- if you are on a level surface to where you need to place the vehicle -- lower the vehicle from the lift directly onto roller/dollies under each tire and then have a few people push the vehicle where it needs to go, then remove the rollers. I had to do this once in my garage at home -- I borrowed a set of four rollers from a local garage.