Radio Removal

[trapper]

I recently bought a 2003 Boxster S and of course I did not get the radio code. My local dealer said he could not get the code from the VIN and said I would need to bring the car in and have the radio removed to get the serial number. Then he could get the code. Do I really need to pay an hour labor to get the radio removed or can I remove the radio myself?

[mrmickeymouse]

In theory the code is stored in your DME; which can be accessed by a PST2 [dealer or equivalent.]

Look under your front hood and see if the code is written on your sticker in "handwriting".

BTW - If it was a real Porsche dealer he would/could get it from your VIN.

Seems odd such a new car didn't come with all the manuals and warranty papers; it should be a silver credit card sized item.

Scott

[Tool Pants]

2003 does not have a user radio code. The radio is matched to your instrument cluster. No code card for you.

[trapper]

Thank you for that information. I didn't realize that the 2003 didn't have a code card. My dealer is an authorized dealer but I'm not sure how much I can trust him now. I have all of the books with the car but the original owner died and I thought that his widow may not have found a code card if there was one. The radio manual states that "Every time the unit is switched on, a test verifies if the radio matches the data stored in the vehicle electronic system." So I assume that the battery can be disconnected and the radio will still function since the code is stored in the vehicle computer?

[Tool Pants]

On a 2003/4 you can disconnect and then reconnect the battery and the radio will work all by itself without doing anything other than hooking up the battery.

[trapper]

Thank you so much, I guess I won't have to pay the dealer for an hours labor after all. I'm curious as to what answer I would have received if I had taken the car in to have the radio removed!

[mrmickeymouse]

No kidding did not know that, I could of sworn I read about someone with a 2004 needing a code.

Thanks TP

[Loren]

No kidding did not know that, I could of sworn I read about someone with a 2004 needing a code.

Thanks TP

Not if it is a CDR23.

From the TSB (0201 9120 Radio CDR23/PCM2: Security Code-Card dated 10-11-2002)...

Security Code-card deleted for radio CDR23 and PCM2.

Information: As from model '03 (3), the security code-card is no longer necessary. It has been deleted because the radio or PCM communicates to the vehicle electronics to determine if it should operate. This affects all vehicles which are delivered with the radio CDR23 or PCM2 equipment. Further information can be found in the Technical Manual and the Service Information Technik, Model 2003.

[Tool Pants]

There is a matching code in the cluster and radio, but it is not a code we need to care about as it can only be accessed via a PST2.

For Trapper, I hope you have another dealer in your area. My dealer on the 1997-2002 cars can get the code in 5 minutes and there is no charge. The radio does not need not be removed.

[trapper]

Thanks again for the clarification. There is another dealer in the area but I don't want to go there since he won't advertise in our Porsche Club newsletter. Thanks to you guys I won't have to go to either one. I just did the first oil change myself

(7,000 miles) and hope I won't need to visit the dealer anytime soon.