mghorayeb

I had this problem on my 2006 911S. It is very common. If car is under warranty, they will exchange unit. Otherwise, you have the following options: - Look for a company called "StickyNoMore" online. The boss there is Robby. They can repaint the buttons for you, whether the unit is disassembled or not. Not cheap, but good work, and they can affix backlit stickers if you like (I prefer plain); - Disassemble the unit and paint (or have) the switches painted. This can be done, but you will need some ability, tools, and 2 sets of hands and eyes - if you break anything (quite possible), then you're SOL. - I have one unit that I did and am willing to sell. It looks perfect and works perfect (came out of my car - I bought a perfect used unit), but has no heated seats. I can send pictures, and may have a friend travelling to the US soon (shipping); - Look on eBay...but most of the ones there are defective too. Look for the other thread(s) regarding this unacceptable and common problem here on Renntech. Here's one: Removing A/C control unit from dash in 997-1 (Carrera) - DIY Started by Reaction1, May 23 2011 New unit is ca. $750 from Porsche - ouch! I'll take $350 for mine. Radio knobs are about $20 from Porsche (for the pair). Cheaper/easier to have them replaced there - it will take less than 5 minutes. A/C unit switch is no more than a 30-minute job by a savvy tech. Once you've made this improvement, you will be very happy. I used to hate seeing the offending switches in my otherwise perfect car...

Update: Though there was an improvement after the cables were replaced, I was never happy with the way the car started (it always sounded tired, especially when warm)...until I eventually ended up stuck. After some funky theatrics like lights flashing, windows creeping up/down incrementally etc., I called my trusty mechanic who suggested I get it jumped and get battery replaced. Long story short, I went with a Bosch Silver battery, 80 amps (the previous one was 70), and the car has been starting the way I always expected/wanted it to. The Bosch installed cost me about $150, vs. Porsche that wanted an insane $400. Though I always opt to go to the local dealer who is pretty reasonable in general, I am presently unemployed, and have never been stupid with $, so Bosch it was...and I'm perfectly happy.

Update: After clutch/pressure plate were recently changed (clutch was toast at end of last track day at Yas F-1 circuit in Abu Dhabi), the grinding problem was exacerbated, particularly going into 6th gear (to the point that I was double clutching going from 5th to 6th). My experience and instinct told me that this was a bad syncromesh, but I thought that was unlikely considering that syncro issues would show up in the lower gears (where there's more torque and use). I decided to have the transmission fluid replaced and the linkage checked before getting into more complex and $$$ issues inside the transmission. Long story short is that tranny fluid change made a HUGE improvement. Even though the car only has 55k kms on it, and Porsche recommends fluid changes every 120k kms, I felt that my spirited driving, occasional track day, and crazy Dubai Summer temperatures may have compromised the oil quality lots quicker than Zuffenhausen expected (or Japan for that matter, where these Aisin boxes were made). When I examined the old oil (and compared it to the new), it was slightly discolored, had a burned aroma, and was very thin (with viscosity akin to water). After a few days with the new oil, the entry into 6th gear is grind free - I have yet to try a lightning quick 5-6 change, but the improvement is substantial. I would recommend 997.1 manual drivers who live in hot climates make the change MUCH earlier than what Porsche recommends, and make sure you go easy on the gearbox until the new oil has a chance to get acquainted...

Go easy when it's cold (i.e. <4K RPM), and let it rip when it warms up. I take it to 7K RPM every day...Otherwise, go buy a sedan.

Update (late): The bracket was repaired and spot welds made to L/R brackets...and the exhaust is rattle free.

I test drove a 991S with the PDK a couple months ago. It's a beautiful car, but I was happy to climb back in my 997.1 2S - it's much more raw and engaging. The new cars (especially PDKs) make it easy for anyone to drive quickly, and that doesn't interest me. Porsche are getting away from the classic 911 feeling that I grew up with - I guess this is the price of evolution. I need to feel engaged, using both hands and both feet, and my brain...BTW, I'm 6'2" and 260lbs and fit well in all 911s - people in general sit way too far back and high up.

Erik, You did well... Though $15K is a big chunk of change...I've driven the plain 997.1 and find the difference in performance substantially lacking compared to a well-equipped S. If you're a DRIVER (and I assume you are if you want to track it a couple days a year), get a 6-speed S with Sports Chrono, sport shift kit (you can add it for less than $1K), sports exhaust and you'll be a happy man. If you opt for a plain 997.1, and then drive an S, you will regret it. I drive mine every day (and I have driven about 50 911s from the 60s to the latest 991 (last Saturday)), and I only have gotten the same raw thrills from a GT3/80s Turbo/964 Turbo (I haven't driven a GTS or a GT2)...normally aspirated, 2 wheel drive, manual gearbox, big brakes, sports seats, and sports exhaust is the real deal. I will step on many toes here, but I regret the day they brought the automatic gearbox into the 911 line-up.

I have had some ugly rattles/whistles from my Porsche Sport Exhaust, and asked the dealer to look into it several times already. All they did was tighten up some of the brackets, but the sound remained. Today, I was back there, and had the car on a lift, and we noticed 3 cracked welds on some of the brackets (left and right, near the tips, and one on the central bracket). Porsche ordered the central bracket, and once received will install this and reweld the 2 other trouble spots. I will report again when this is done. I'm very happy the root of the problem has been identified, and am looking forward to hearing the growl without the rattle. Hopefully this won't cost me an arm and leg...

Update: after some back/forth with local Porsche dealer, it became clear that the unit WILL charge certian iPods/iPhones (e.g. iPhone v3), but definitely not all (and not the latest version). I am happier, but this was certainly not the ideal solution. In retrospect, I should've just bought an FM modulator with charging facility for a new IPod, and been much happier...for less $ than I spent.

Hi Loren, The manual that came with it says that it's supposed to charge the iPod (it doesn't specify which model). I have since tried 2 different iPods, and it's charging neither. The dealer also called me back today confirming that it won't charge iPods (something about this not being possible with PCM 2.1). Either way, I fee like I got s_____d. I basically paid $500 for 2 stupid plugs in the car. Instead, i should've bought a new 64GB iPod, FM transmitter (for it), and car charger (for it), and it would've been a cleane, simpler, and cheaper set-up, plus I would've had a brand new iPod to boot. I will lodge a complaint with Porsche for this misinformation. Otherwise, I LOVE everything about my 911...

Hi Loren, So I just returned from the dealer where they installed the 997-044-901-70 kit for me. My kit has an iPod connection cable and a mini audio female too. Do you know if mine is supposed to charge the iPod too? It says so in the manual that came with it, but we only had an iPhone for testing and it wouldn't charge that...I like the cleanliness of the kit (and that it's OEM, but part + install is not cheap if it won't charge the iPod). Maybe I should've opted for the 997-044-901-77 version or the Dension kit all things considered.

Thanks again. I'll take it to the dealer for installation and revert - it looks complicated, and I don't have the patience, tools, or eyes, plus it's getting warm here already. Picked it up from a guy who never installed it in his 2007 S ($320) - the fool kept his Aston Martin DB9 instead (and told me the 911 never skipped a beat and that the Aston is frequently at the shop).

Hey Loren, My mistake...I have 997-044-901-70 (not...77). I imagine the install is the same, but is compatibility correct? I will check that link now. Thanks a lot (as usual).

Hi Loren, I just bought the 997-044-901-77 kit for my 2006 997.1 C2S...and was reading the thread above. I couldn't locate the installation instructions. Seems there was a link above, but that it's gone. Any idea which iPod will work completely/correctly with this kit? Thanks in advance for any feedback. Mark, Dubai.

Thanks Joel and DC, Gave the part to my trusty BMW motorcycle mechanic - he has patience, better eyes, smaller fingers, and a Torx set. The unit is apart and he almost has the knobs out. It seems like the old covering will just scrape off, but worst case I will use oven cleaner (read on a blog somewhere that it's effective but messy). Seems like the repainting will be the challenge. I may send them back stateside to Robbie at StickyNoMore (but at $50 per set for paint, plus shipping both ways, doing it myself is tempting). I'll let you know how it works out (now my friend wants me to repair and sell his old one too), and hopefully eventually post pics of the finished job. Found out yesterday when I was trying to register my motorbike that I received a recent citation for dangerous driving in the 911 (total BS), and had to pay a $300 fine and a further $700 to keep my car out of the sandy impound lot (they wanted the car held for a month!). So much for working here because we are not taxed...there's always a solution if you're willing to pay. Hopefully nobody clocked or filmed me doing 277kph last Saturday - I think she'll do 295 given some space to stretch her legs.

Hi again, Went to a local Porsche mechanic and picked up 2 A/C control units (one for me and one for a friend) - these were the only 2 good ones left. Like new, $350 each (new dealer price is $800 here, and I can only get 10% off that). Had mine installed ($45 at the dealer), and it works 100%, so my interior is looking sweet. Now I want to take the old one apart, strip the 2 offending buttons, and repaint them. Does anyone have a step-by-step (hopefully with pics) guide on how to do this? I had read somewhere that oven cleaner is the best thing to strip them (but messy). Anyone have any recommendation for repainting? They don't have to be rubberized. I was told that airplane model enamel is good, but was thinking about spray-on primer, and then spray paint from the local hardware store...Last resort is shipping to Sticky No More in the US.

Update: Just got car back after both cables replaced - parts and labour came close to $1K. Car sounds normal when it starts, not sluggish when firing up. Was told that starter is fine. Will keep an eye on it, and update if/when necessary. Hope this is the end of this saga...

Justification for you to become a contributing member... Please update us on what exactly was replaced/repaired, how the car runs after the repair (comparing before/after) and how much they charged...

I am taking my car back in today (they now have both cables in stock). When there I will ask them regarding this job on a tiptronic - your dealer sounds expensive regardless. The beauty of the 911 is even if the engine/transmission need to come out, this is comparatively easy. I have helped in the pits trackside, and seen a transmission replaced (necessitating an engine/transmission replacement) in 20 minutes. Granted that this was a race car and a pit crew, but $2K for labour represents what seems like lots of hours. If your car is out of warranty, call a few other dealers in the area and see what they quote. Also, it may be wise to replace both cables (they are the cheap part of the repair) and ascertain that your starter is strong too. I will know the outcome of my repair (2 cable replacement) in a week (I'll be traveling for work), so will update later. In the meantime, best of luck to you.

Update: I took my 911 into the dealer to get this fixed the other day. They replaced the loom cable with the newer/upgraded 997.2 type part (997-607-019-03), and found that the issue was not solved. They removed that new cable (fearing it could get damaged), set it aside for me, and have ordered me the 2nd potential culprit cable (battery harness 997-612-090-02). It will be a few days before that part arrives and I get the 2 installed...so I'll have to wait to see if that takes care of things. Hopefully I don't have an alternator/starter, or battery issue too...Either way, the car has yet to leave me stranded, is a joy to drive every day, even for a 6'2" 250lber with a bad knee. I'll write again after the next visit to the dealer. In the meantime, drive safe, happy holidays, and bless the US!

Hi Paul, It's not as glamorous as you think...There are radar units everywhere, and one needs to watch out for camels. Fortunately, we have several months of glorious weather ahead of us, because once Spring hits, it's already too hot/humid. Anyhow, I was at Porsche yesterday, and have made an appointment to get some things tended to - I will also ask them to check transmission's cable linkage, since I felt a 5th gear 'grind' with warm gearbox and gentle shift a couple of days ago. Drive safely, Mark.

Hi everyone, I have an '06 Carrera S 6-speed with sport shifter (from factory). I experience the same issue ONLY when the car is cold, and then shifting from 3rd to 4th. If I insist on continuing to upshift, I feel the same grind (sometimes) in 5th and 6th. After it 'grinds' the first time (I feel it more than hear it), the issue is gone. Once the car is warm, there is no more issue. I (you) need to allow the oils to warm up before going into 4th, 5th, and 6th, and then there's no issue (note that I haven't called this a 'problem' because, at least in my case, I feel it is driver error/oversite). The car has less than 30K miles and had a recent minor service. I have been driving 911s for the last 20+ years. There really is no substitute. ...and this is an incredible site...full of knowledge and experience - once I sort out my Paypal, I will contribute and encourage others to do the same. Mark, Dubai.

I have a manual 2006 997 S, and have the same problem. The car always starts, but sometimes struggles to do so, especially after I've driven it hard... The dealer here (in Dubai) told me it's a "wiring harness" (sounds like this matches the cases above), and that though the cable is cheap, the labour is not. He mentioned removing the dash (which now sounds like a crock - is this correct?). Anyhow, the part was ca. $200, and labour ca. $750, so this is in line with the quotes above. Also, the passenger airbag light has come on and dealer says this is directly related... 1. Shall I just keep driving the car AS IS, and wait for it to fail completely? or 2. Shall I get the temporary sanding/cleaning fix done (by a non-dealer)? or 3. Should I suck it up and just have it done at the dealer? I've driven ca. 50 911s ranging from late 70s to recent, and this is my favourite, a real driver's car (sports exhaust, sports seats, sports shifter, and sports wheels). Thanks in advance for any pointers. Mark, Dubai.

Thanks PK, Doesn't look like it's possible to do a good job without pulling the unit out and taking it apart. I will get to it eventually - in the meantime, I leave it on "Auto" ( which is best anyhow). Hopefully someone will upload some pics of the disassembly of the unit. Meanwhile, I will keep combing this excellent website, as the answer may already be here. I will try to post some pics of the offending switches soon. Thanks, have a good weekend, and safe driving. Mark G., Dubai, United Arab Emirates.