Jjohann84's new (to me) 996.1

Hi All, I picked up a new to me 99 Carrera a couple months back and want to share my journey. A handful of you helped me out as I looked at some higher mileage cars, and I decided to go with something with less miles. Here is my 99 Vesuvio Metallic: Front-End Here are the highlights: 6-speed 36K miles Non-PSM 7/98 Build L40X Exterior Y29 X70 (Metal Door Sils - Missing, set on order) X71 (Aluminum Look Dials) X54 (Stainless exhaust pipes) The PPI had a list of items that appeared to be from neglect, which is quite a shame. Most of these I have already ordered the parts for or am waiting for them to come in. I checked the codes and cleared them, haven't come back since I swapped the battery PPI There were a few service visits done at Porsche Houston within the last few thousand miles (where I live but not where the car was sold ironically enough): Service 1: May 2018 - Replace IMS Service 2: Sept 2018 - CEL regarding Cam Adjusters; did a valve cleaning. Coolant leak on return hose - clamp replaced Service 3: Nov 2018 - CEL regarding Cam Adjusters; replaced chain tensioner and adjusters, flushed oil to remove plastic bits, changed oil filter 2x The car was weak to start and the battery died on me a few days in, so I upgraded: new Antigravity battery, has to be at least 20lbs lighter! The tires were trash, so I upgraded the tires and the wheels: Swapping the old 413 option code wheels and tires Went with the sport designs Here's what's on the agenda over the next few weeks: Change oil and send in a sample to Blackstone Replace both door actuators Replace both mirror motors Replace mirror switch Replace ignition switch Replace headlight switch and **** Replace overhead console Replace dome light lens Add aluminum look Door Sills (Those went MIA at some point) Fix Radio Fix Sunroof Fix Climate Control LCD Screen Replace headlight harness Jackets disintegrated when I pulled the headlights Restore headlamp lenses Install Adrian Taillights retrofit projectors and rear LED bulbs, and 3rd brake light Convert remaining exterior bulbs (License Plate / Side Markers) to LED I'm happy to finally be on board with 996 ownership, this was a car I've wanted since a teen!

Welcome to the group! Huge fun ahead with endless smiles. Mine has become my daily driver. I smile at it every time I walk out to start it up. Good luck bringing it back up to 'like new' condition.

Woo hoooooooo! Sounds like you have a great plan to get her where you want it.

Congrats! Car looks great and I dig those new wheels! Thanks for posting your list of to-do's, there are some things on it I hadn't considered for when I buy one.

Thanks for all the kind words! I took advantage of the weekend and got a few other things sorted. I'm still trying to clean the old adhesive off the aluminum sills and door jamb. I've used Goo Gone, Goof Off, and steam, pretty stubborn build up. Any suggestions? I'm waiting for the LED taillight kit, headlamp retrofit, and new harness from Adrian, so I took the opportunity to clean up the rear harness. Age had created a sticky mess of the wires, so I cleaned them up: Orginal harness - the wires had become tacky as the orginal tape aged. Cleaned up - can't tell much, but I cleaned the old adhesive and re-wrapped with new tape! I ordered a replacement lcd screen for my failing unit on the HVAC: Old and Busted New Hotness Before I put the unit back in, I wanted to clean up the wires behind the HVAC/Radio. I can't get all the way back there, but when the time comes to re-skin the upper/lower dash and do the blend door foam, I'll take care of if then. Similar to the taillights, the dash harnesses needed some attention Cleaned up, I re-wrapped, and cleaned all the connectors. Hopefully I'll get some time next weekend to re-install my lights: Pull the headlamp assemblies apart Refinish the lenses Put in the new guts Drop in the new led rears While I've got the lights out, I'll be cleaning the inside of the car - years of buildup has left the insides looking old!

Congratulations on your car. My first Porsche was a 1999 C2. It was also Vesuvio Grey Metallic. I loved that color. You picked a beautiful car with low miles......well done!

I'm having an issue with the high-beams staying on with the low beams being activated. With the lights off, the high beam stalk works as intended (high beams come on / dash light indicator illuminates). I've replaced the headlight switch with a new unit that has more tactile engagement, and I've tested the switch for my multimeter. As soo as the low beams come on, the high-beam indicator light on the dash illuminates (albeit dimly). I suspect it's the control unit itself. In order to test the unit, I need to access the module, however the telescoping steering lock was seized up, preventing me from pulling the wheel out to access the screws holding in the trim. I finally was able to unbind the lock; however, the wheel is completely stuck. Has anyone had any luck getting the telescoping mechanism unfrozen while the column is still in the car? On the 997, you can take the mechanism off the column, but on the 996.1 it looks as if it's all connected. I've browsed through the forums and seen a handful of the same issue with the mechanism being stuck. Before I disassemble everything, hoping for some pointers?