KC-Boxster

I am planning on buying some sort of software for my laptop that will allow me to read codes and some even promise to reset alarms and such. Tuning curves? Graphics?

What are you guys using and what is recommended to stay away from?

Any help is appreciated.... general consensus would be awesome!

Much appreciated!! :cheers:

I have the Durametric software and adapter cable and it works great. It not only does the engine codes but will also do the Temp Control System, ABS, Airbag, Seats and Tip diagnostics and code resets. You can usually find it new on Ebay for less than $200.00 or direct from Durametric at http://www.durametric.com/ for around $300.00. It is worth every penny.

Hi Tim: I plan to upgrade my LHD 97 Boxster and RHD 98 996 so there are two votes already. Obviously I need to read the DIY but I think I would prefer the ability to purchase the individual parts. In order of interest these are:

1. Harness (think you are onto a winner here. Saves time and probably near impossible to source from a breaker unless you do what you did).

2. Aftermarket CC unit (although this depends on cost -- the second hand prices I've been quoted over here vary from $100 to $225 exc tax delivery).

3. The cam (again, depends on cost, quoted second hand prices of pedals $100 exc tax/delivery).

4. Aftermarket cc switches: would prefer to keep it stock.

A couple of supplementary questions if I may:

When you say the aftermarket cc unit is 'virtually' identical is the only difference cosmetic or is there something else?

Can I rob a 98 cruise pedal of its cam and convert my non-cruise 97 pedal to a cruise one?

Keep up the good work!

The aftermarket unit appears to be a direct derivative of the original VDO unit but has a generic mounting pad so it could be mounted just about anywhere. One suggestion would be out in front next to the battery where there is ample space and easy access. The internal Printed Circuit Board has also been redesigned by the current manufacturer so that it can be programmed via a DIP switch for virtually any vehicles speed input signals. This unit appears to be top quality and is reportedly the standard aftermarket Cruise Control Installation Kit for Ford and Chrysler dealers.

You can take the cam out of a 98 Pedal but if you already have a 98 pedal then you should probably use the entire pedal because it will have the cruise control cable already attached.

It will probably be a week before I get the DIY instructions revised and posted.

Tim

Thanks for that: I actually asked the OPC for prices for the parts at one point because it was so hard to find a 97 Boxster unit and accelerator for LHD here in the UK (btw looking at the PET there seems to be a different CC unit for the 97 cars and another for the 98-on. There is also a different accelerator pedal for the 97 and 98-on cars. I wonder if it is just a matter of using a 97 cc unit and accelerator or a 98 unit and accelerator together?).

If I have the correct piece of paper the prices are:

£167.31 for the accelerator pedal

£337.91 for the cc unit

£8.35 for ? (clutch or brake switch probably)

I suspect if you can source the cc unit outwith Porsche it will require a 98-on accelerator pedal for 97MY upgrades...

I have both the 97 Cruise/Pedal assembly and the 98/99 Cruise/Pedal assembly and they appear identical. I actually have the 97 version in my 99 and it works perfectly so I am guessing the only real difference is either minor programming or circuit board changes in the Cruise Control Module itself. They both use the same electrical wiring and hook up identically.

Purchasing all of the required parts new from Porsche is either cost prohibitive or impossible since they don't offer all the required pieces.

I have actually found sources for all of the required components in the aftermarket to create a kit with the exception of just a couple of wire terminal ends (Which I will locate) and the cruise control cam that would be required to be inserted into the factory non-cruise accelerator pedal. This leaves us with the following options:

Option 1: Individual car owners could source the Cruise Control/Pedal assembly and the 3 or 4 Stalk Steering Column Switch assembly from a salvage yard or the dealer (if you have deep enough pockets) and I could build up a Wire Harness to facilitate the installation.

Option2: I could provide a kit which would include an aftermarket Cruise Control Module (Which is virtually identical to the factory Porsche VDO unit), Wire Harness and aftermarket Cruise Control Switches that mount to either side of the airbag. This option would require me to go into production and have an injection molded Cruise Control Cam made to work with the factory non-cruise control accelerator pedal. This is all very doable and I would suspect the final cost would be around $400 to $500 dollars. Before I would venture off into this project I would need a significant number of potential interested car owners.

Options3: We could come up with some sort of variation of Option1 and Option 2 above so those wanting the stock Steering Column Switch could use it instead of the aftermarket one on either side of the airbag.

I have already written the first draft of the Installation Guide and it is currently being reviewed by another dedicated Porsche owner. Once complete I will post it so everyone can see what's required.

So the bottom line to all interested Porsche Owners is to let me know how important of a project this is to everyone so I can make a decision.

Regards,

Tim Casey

You'll still need an accelerator unit won't you? i.e. the one in a non-cruise control car won't do?

You are correct. The basic pedal and inner workings are all the same. But the non-cruise control pedal is missing the third inner actuating cam that is hooked to the cruise control cable.

Tim

Tim

That's perfect - you are a star!

Could you share the number of the connector and pins you think might be right? I am hoping to get all the bits together during the next 3 or 4 days, and I'm keen to get started.

BTW, if you can put together a reasonably priced kit, they will sell like hot cakes. Do you want a UK distributor?? ;) ;)

I would if I had it but all I could find was a place that has a plug and pigtail assembly that appears to be correct. I will have to wait till I get it to see if there are any Part Numbers on it that will lead us in the right direction.

Tim

Tim

I'm a bit confused. :huh: :huh: Firstly, my sheet 13 is a bit unclear, and I mistook the ground connection terminal to be F, and it is E. (It's clear on the Boxster diagram I have).

Even so, I have a nagging feeling that the earth connection is to the bottom-right pin in my photo (the one next to the small polarising rib). If you get a chance, could you confirm (or otherwise) that the brown wire goes to that pin?

What you are suggesting is a mirror-image of what I am now expecting - and you were looking in a mirror! :D :D

edit: I need to type faster - our messages crossed! - that's great - I think we are on the same page now!

Richard you are correct. I was looking at it backwards through the mirror. I have revised my previous reply and added a better picture. So see if the latest posting makes more sense.

Tim

Tim

My cruise actuator arrived, but I have a snag. The pins on the socket are not numbered/lettered. Do you know which is which?

edit:

I took the top off the unit, and I am fairly sure that the bottom-right pin is the ground connector (F). Therefore, I THINK that the connections (as you look at the photo) are:

E D C B A

K J H G F

But it would be nice if you could confirm this.

Richard:

That is not the way mine is wired. All I was able to do during lunch today was look at the connector through a mirror but I am 99% sure the diagram below is correct. My picture is pretty bad but you can see the Grey/Pink wire is in the lower left corner and your right that the Brown ground wire is in the lower right corner but I believe it would be Pin E. Looking at the picture you have attached here is how mine is wired

OR/RE, BK/RE, BK, BL, YE/GR

K J H G F

A B C D E

GR/PK, BR/YE, BK/OR, YE, BR

I also have found what appears to be the correct connector for the Cruise Control connection and have put one on order. I should have it this time next week, if it proves out I will let you know. I also may have found a source for a Cruise Control Actuator that is virtually identical to the factory Porsche/VDO unit with only a different mounting pad. I should have the DIY instructions completed by the end of this weekend and may try and put together an intire installation package for an aftermarket cruise installation if there is enough interest. I edited this reply about 5 times so make sure you review the last edit because my first post was backward due to looking through the mirror.

Tim

Tim

I have tracked down a used cruise actuator, pedal, bracket, etc, but no loom. The wiring looks fairly straightforward, but I wonder if you could give me some pointers:

1) Bridge Plug BS1 (Speedometer A - connected to plug 1/16 on the Cluster), shown on wiring diagram sheet 3. Where is this bridge plug located?

2) Plug X3/2 (Blue) (X2/6 on 996), shown on sheet 11 - is this located close to the Tiptronic control unit?

3) Bridge Plug BS14/2, shown on sheet 13 - did this exist on your car? Being a tiptronic, like mine, I suspect it wasn't fitted at the factory.

4) Were you able to get any numbers from the 10-pin connector plug?

I'm sorry if I am jumping the gun - maybe you are including this info in your DIY. If so, just tell me to be patient!! :-) :-)

Since my installation was on a Boxster there appears to be some minor differences but I would suspect they are generally the same. Is your car left or right hand drive? Here are the answers as best as I can figure.

1)The Bridge Plug BS1 is located on the back of Relay Panel 1 outboard of the pedals. It is real easy to take out. Loosen the 10mm nut on the forward side and slide it out on the aft side. You will then be able to twist it around to see the Bridge Plugs on the aft side. On the Boxster the Speedometer wiring is Grey with a Pink tracer so just find the Bridge Plug with all the Grey and Pink wires plugged into it and you will have your speed sense connection. One Caution- Some of the Bridge Plugs only have a 4-way connector and some have an 8-way connector so you may want to splice into an existing wire instead of inserting it into an open slot on the Bridge Plug unless you are sure tere is electrical connectivity between all 8 ports.

2) Plug XS/2 is located on the forward bulkhead in the trunk. The short harnes from XS/2 to the Tiptronic Control Box was already wired to to the XS/2 plug so all you should need to do is run the wire from the Cruise Control back to the XS/2 connector. This unfortunately is harder than it sounds on a Boxster unless you pull the top loose. On the 996 it may be easier.

3) BS14/2 Was installed on the Boxster and I would guess it is there on the 996 as well. It is located on the back side of Relay Panel # 1 in the same general location as BS1 and if it is like the Boxster it has Black wires connecting to it. BS5/2 is also located in the same location and that is where you can pick up the Break Light power on signal. On the Boxster it is a Black wire with an Orange Tracer. You should not have to replace the original brake light switch as one of the previous entries suggested but you will need to add the a wire to Brake Light Off signal terminal. On the boxster it is a Black wire with Red Tracer.

4) There were no numbers on the 10 Pin Connector for the Cruise Control. I now suspect that it may be a Siemens VDO connector since the Cruise Control is made by VDO but so far I have not been able to find a number. I am still researching. In a pinch you could just use a suitable electrical connector and then fill the plug cavity with hot melt glue to keep them isolated and secure. But just be sure to lightly coat the inside of the cruise control recepticle with dielectric grease so you could pull out the home made plug if you ever need to disconnect it.

Are your electrical schematics electronic? If so, would you attach them so I can compare them to my set for the Boxster.

Regards, Tim

Well done. Photos of the wiring harness would have been nice but too late now, I guess. Can you describe it? Which connectors can't you get? Is it the one that attaches to the cc unit? Not the one at the stalk, I presume as this is used in the egas upgrade. How does it connect to the Obd computer?

Again, well done.

I am working on a step by step installation guide with photos. As usual I am probably going way overboard so it will take a few days to finish it. The connector for the Cruise Control is a 10 Pin environmental type connector that Porsche doesn't list in their IPC, most of the other connections are plugged into existing connectors that use specialized terminals. You are correct about the stalk connections, I already have the plug numbers and terminal ends. It looks like Porsche uses AMP plugs for a lot of their connectors so I will also try and figure out the plug and connector P/Ns now that I have been able to see them first hand. The electronics are very simple. The Relay and Block Connector Panel left of the pedals have a connection block for different boxes to pick up the electronic speed signal and that is really the only connection related to the OBD Computer.

Tim

:) I have just completed a retrofit of the factory Cruise Control in my 99 Boxster 2.5L. It was not very difficult once I had all the parts. If you want to perform this installation it is imperative that you get the required wiring out of a wreck. I was lucky enough to find a salvage yard that allowed me to come in and removed the wiring that I needed. The reason why this is so important is that the local Porsche dealership does not have access to all the required electrical plugs and connectors. What is required is the following:

1. Cruise Control Actuator/Cable/Pedal assy.

2. Wiring Harness

3. 4 Stalk steering column switch

4. Shop Wiring Schematic.

The two most difficult tasks were running one of the wires back to the trunk to the Tiptronic Control Unit. This would not be necessary if you have a manual transmission. The second task wasn't so difficult but I did have to hold my tongue just right to disassemble the gas pedal assembly to hook up the accelerator cable. The whole installation took about 6 hours and only cost me about $250. It was worth every penny and works great. I also added the necessary wiring to install the On-Board Computer display switching via the 4th stalk.

Let me know if you need any further details.

Tim