lkchris

It took me a year to realize the raise/lower thing is not electric ... since the switch looks just like the switch on my Mercedes which is.

Since it's not electric, it only needs to move one direction to release ... after which you get it raised/lowered manually.

This unless you have the 8-way seats in which case I'm no help.

Here you go ... you may need to purchase rubber plugs with threaded inserts for the top screws.  This an LHD car, of course.

I want to do the right thing and use the unique fluid from Porsche, but as known it's difficult to find in packaging useful for the individual DIY guy.

Now, this is apparently an Audi transmission and what I've yet to find in forums is whether there's an Audi-sourced fluid in DIY useful packaging (or if they use the same fluid).

Anybody know?

JimmyD, you dont want to "splice into door speakers," because by design the original amp is only sending them subwoofer frequencies.

in addition, the options I noted in post above will activate your radio's fader control, which your splice option won't.

I did this as well, using information from other posts at this forum.

i bought the kit from Suncoast, which provides two options for connecting the rear speakers ...

1.  Connect them direct to the head unit.

2.  Obtain a 996/911 M490 option 6x40 amp to replace existing 4x40 amp and connect rear speakers to the appropriate amp outputs.

#2 should be considered the highly preferred option if you have M490, but there's more ...

996/911 amps come in coupe and cabrio versions and imho for the Boxster you for sure want a cabrio version.  I found one with the same last three digits to the part number as my original 986 amp, 312 iirc.

interesting thing is that with this setup the original door speakers--which are subwoofers by original M490 option design--really came alive and I now have bass up the wazoo.  Somehow I think the original Boxster amp was misdesigned or something.  Not necessarily the speakers, that is.  Also, I initially installed a coupe version 6x40 amp, and subwoofer performance was unchanged ... leading me to believe "cabrio" is key.

Also imho "hi fi" in a Boxster borders on futile in any event.  I'm old, which could factor in, but unless the car is standing still, there's little sound besides wind and road noise when moving anyway.  I do know that mine's improved, despite that,  mostly with OE Porsche components, which appeals to me.  I'm saving my pennies for the Porsche Classic radio ...

Cannot find mention of this switch in my owners manual ...

PET calls it "Display Specimen," which isn't too helpful, but apparently it's an indicator or control for the trunk spoiler.

What does it do ... how does it work?  Clearly it's a dash switch, not the footwell switch.

Apparently there are installation instructions somewhere ... can anyone post them or describe them?

Part number shown is for the glossy version ... matte version is 986 613 425 10 A05

It may be surprising, but the genuine Porsche kit to install two cup holders in the top of your center dash stack sells for less than $100.  I think it even comes with instructions for moving the hvac controller to the bottom position.  The latter may require a new, also very inexpensive, plastic frame piece.

I'm old and still remember when much of the 356 and 911 advertising featured cars at ski resorts, etc.

Or when a 911 won the Monte Carlo Rally.

Just follow down from the spin lock--perhaps removal of the carpeted trim is required.  It's a little tricky to remove, and is surely covered here somewhere you could find by searching ... probably for hardtop installation.

You might try loosening the pinch bolt that secures the spin lock to the car and then lift the hardtop off with the pin still in the spin lock ... maybe to provide easier access to fix the basic problem.

Porsche does sell ski racks.

Only mildly useful ... the instructions related to installing factory cupholders--always in top slot--indicate no particular problems with the electrical wiring.  It will reach both locations, that is.

New tires always feel better than tires just removed

Any and all German cars factory fitted with a rear fog light will indeed only have one.  On the driver's side.  So, right side for UK models, left about everywhere else.

To have two would create a situation indistinguishable from brake lights.

It's nicely covered in the Bentley manual.

Pyrotechnics (explosives) are involved, so plan on disconnecting battery.

You can find a great after market rear speaker kit at Euro Motorspeed on eBay or the web. They are also the ones at Suncoast Porsche in Florida for a few bucks more.

http://suncoastparts.com/product/SPEAKERKIT.html

The Suncoast kit comes with wiring for either choice--plug into back of radio or plug into a 6-channel amp.

Be sure you've read through the following thread ...

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/3389-pinout-for-6x40-m490-amp/

You don't need anything from Harvey unless you want to connect your rear speakers directly to the radio ... which you obviously aren't  since you're going to install the 6X40 amp.  That option requires a connector block.

All you need to do is get your new rear speaker wiring into the existing amp connector block correctly.  (And some tabs cut off the connector, which you can do with a single-edge razor blade ... the dremel idea is overkill.)  Despite the fact you have a 4X40 amp, the existing wiring from the radio to that amp (input)  already contains the rear channels.  The output to speakers is just missing the rear speaker wiring, and of course the 4X40 amp has no rear outputs either.

I highly recommend that the 6X40 amp you procure be for a 996 cabrio and not a 996 coupe.

Just note that 4X40 in Porsche-speak means 2 channels for the dash and 2 channels for the subwoofers.  They are all "front" as far as your fader is concerned.  When you get a 6X40 amp you'll then have outputs for rear speakers and your existing radio fader control will recognize them.

The mirror plus light unit is a separately available part.  You don't have to buy a whole sun visor. 

Didn't say there were any wires, just terminals on the back of the radio.  You'll need the proper plug, connectors, and some wire.  Radio manual that came with car and supplements owners manual identifies the terminals.  There is indeed no factory wiring to the rear of the car for rear speakers, and you'll have to run it.

Here is the thread discussing option #2, using a 6X40 amp

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/3389-pinout-for-6x40-m490-amp

You have two choices ...

There are unused direct to speaker outputs on your radio and you can connect to them

Your radio is currently wired to the amp and the rear speaker circuits are already in that wiring. But since you have the 4x40 amp, there are no rear outputs from the amp. You can obtain a 6x40 amp from a 996/911 and wire your speakers into the speakers out connection on the amp. 911 amps are different between coupe and cabrio and cabrio works best in a boxster IMHO. They're on eBay from dismantlers.

A search here will find a thread with photos.

Early one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161986005260

 

They are made by AMP not Molex. I went to Fry's many years ago and did not find anything that was exactly right. Then Peter figured out what VW wires were an exact fit for an OBC retrofit. Then we started using the VW wires because they already have the correct pins crimped on and they are only $2 per wire. The wires are for a Golf recall from about 10 years ago and I have been afraid the source would dry up, so I tried to find the part number for just the pins. The pins in the pic go into the OBC connector and into the instrument cluster on a 2001 up Boxster or a 2000 up 996. I have not been able to find the pins that go into the cluster connector for a 1997-2000 Boxster/1999-2001 996 - but in reality you can get these pins in the pic into the connector and they work fine I was thinking at one time of buying the pins and making a wiring harness, but it is so much easier with the VW wires. And I am not good crimping a pin that small.

 

So I finally decided to do this mod but man have things changed (or i was miss quoted twice). I checked at my local VW dealer. The WV part #000-979-010 is $21.00 EACH... When I asked why so much the response was, "Well they're gold plated..." Oh My Gosh..., I rushed to the Porsche dealer and ordered the Porsche part #999-652-901-22 for $0.60 each (ordered 10). They will be here in 3 days tops... Crazy how these parts are priced...

 

Well, the best solution is to buy a complete premade harness from pdwight

http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/53134-obc-addition-cables.html

That bulb is tested like all other warning light bulbs when ignition is on prior to start.

There's not an automatic test for the level sensor itself.

Thanks

If you ever watch NASCAR, you'll note the Joe Gibbs cars sport Mobil 1 decals.

In any event asking a forum seems dubious when your Porsche owners manual describes oil viscocities and references the A40 specification. There's no better information anywhere.