Factory PSE, where's the switch?

I know this has been beat to death, but I can not find the answer in previous posts. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I received some paper work from the prior owner of my 2002 C2 the other day. Included was the original manufactuers window sticker. The sticker shows the option of PSE listed for $2400. From the sound of the exhaust, I would certainly say that it is not the OEM standard exhaust. But where is the switch??? Was it possible to get this on an ordered car without the electrical setup? Tom L.

Bottom left. I'm pretty sure the 3.6l 996s couldn't be ordered from the factory w/out the switch.

factory fitted PSE does have a switch..... although sometime ago www.carnewal.com had listed an PSE (original porsche ) with no switch - i.e always on!!!! does your pse is a factory option or an retro-fit kit?

It is listed on the original window sticker as being a factory installed option adding $2400 to the total sticker price. The vehicle build date is September of 2001. Model year 2002. NO SWITCH? Also, from looking at Rob in WA picture, my center console does not have the rear spoiler switch there either. The PSM switch yes, but the spoiler switch is located next to the fuse box up from the drivers footwell. The PSE switch position is blank. Tom L

Look for a switch that looks like the one on the bottom:

The dashboard spoiler switch is an add-on (not from the factory).

early cars with PSE had no switch--they were loud all the time....I think pre/early 2002

My 01 has the switch.

Just to make sure that I am not blind, I went out and looked the car over again. No switch. Took another look at the window sticker and under "exclusive options" to the far right, it list Sport Exhaust System $2400. Also listed under "exclusive options" are floor mats. Can this be something that has been added by the dealer? When I was in the car business, you had to put a supplemental sticker next to the factory sticker with a list of any dealer installed items. You could not remove the factory sticker and add items to it. Tom L

Any idea on where to get the spoiler add-on swithc and how to install. I have a 2000 C4 cab with switch by fuse box.

Any Porsche dealer, they are about $25. The switch is wired in parallel to the one in the fuse block. Here is one Spolier switch hack.

This is the way this Boxster owner remembers it. With the early cars with the sport exhaust as an option there was no dash switch. It was not loud all the time. It was loud or quite depending on the speed of the car. You could not override the speed thing because there was no switch to let you. I think the 996 got the switch in 2002 and the Boxster in 2003. The switch only comes in a mat finish. Prior to 2002 Porsche used gloss finish switches. If a 2001 has the switch then I think someone put it in after the fact, and I bet the finish does not match the rest of the switches because the rest of the switches should be gloss. A 2002 without the switch and the sport exhaust as a factory option is a mystery, unless the early ones did not have it. Let's see your window sticker. Also look under front trunk lid and see if the white option sticker has the sport exhaust listed. If it does then I would pull off the pod that has the switches and see if there is a connector back there for the 'missing' switch. If someone has a 996 2002 order guide look for the XLF option. When the Boxster first got the switch it was listed a a two stage exhaust, with an interior switch. Before that time there was no mention of a switch as it did not exist.

Looks like a dealer added option. No problem though, most like it on all the time anyway.

Take a look in the engine compartment on the right side next to the Power steering tank, and see if the PSE vacuum switch is installed. If it is not, chances are the electronics are not on the car. next step would be to crawl under the car and look at the mufflers to see if they have the diverter valves on them. If there is no switch or valves, then the car does not have PSE. Here are 2 pictures to help you look: The vacuum switch is the one with the orange connector. You can see the valves from the underneath of the car.

When I was shopping for my car I looked at a used 2002 C2 that was built late in the cycle. It had a factory installed PSE that was listed on the original window sticker. There was no switch for the PSE. I commented on this to the dealer after driving a 2003 C2 Cab with PSE and switch and was told that the switch was new for 2003...

If the manual defeat switch was a running change in 2002/2003 build years, that would explain why the PSE wiring harness has 2 sets of cables that are mated at the PSE relay block. In that case, it is a simple task of ordering another PSE wiring harness (P/N 996 612 978 00) for under $20, and a dash switch ($25), and plugging it into the relay block. The switch wire harness has 4 wires on it, which provide the on/off signal, and switch illumination. I have all of the wiring directions and schematics is anyone is interested.

Orient Express, Thanks for the pics. My car has the diverter valves in place. Looks like they have some type of servo actuater arm on them. Can't really say they are in the same position as shown in your photo? If you are referring to the gray switch to the right of the pwr steering with the orange/tan plug in, yes I have that item too. I did notice that the vacume tubing is not quite the same routing, however, it apears to have a similar setup. Also on my cars build codes under the luggage lid, it does not show the code for sport exhaust? However, there is one code in the 400 series that I was unable to account for. When you excelerate this car, it seems as though the sound is somewhat mellow until reaching over 4500 rpm. At idle is sounds louder then a stock C2. Does this sound like the normal PSE? Thanks for any and all help. Tom L

The exhaust electronics are designed to quiet the exhaust somewhere between 30 and 45 mph. The quieting is speed dependent not RPM dependent. See if you see a difference at those speeds. Sounds like everything is in place, all you need is the manual over-ride switch. It should be easy to retrofit the car, all you need is the wiring harness, and the switch. it is probably a 2 hour job tops.

Is motor sound package the same as PSE? I got the motor sound package it is loud but it didn't has the switch.

The Motor Sound Packages were for the 993 cars. There are 2 versions, One is an airbox mod The other are free-flo mufflers Porsche Sport Exhaust are mufflers for the 996 that have a movable baffle to change the sound. Thanks to Gert for these pictures.

thank for your information. Look like i am another PSE owner than don't has the switch. mine is a 2002 C2.

so without the switch, the muffer will or will not get quieter around 30-45mph?

Without the switch, it WILL quiet itself between 30 & 45 automatically. For cars without the switch, the switch CAN be retrofitted by installing the switch and newer cable harness. And with that it can be made quiet any time you want.

Can you make it loud all the time? What would you have to do in order to take away the quieting between 30-45 mph? Actually, I think the PSE is rather quiet. Just enough to tell the engine is there. However, my wife was behind me on the freeway when I opened it up, and she said that it was very loud. I quess from inside the cockpit you lose some of the effect? Tom L

yes you can. mine has the switch and there is no cut-off between 30-45 mph. i took the car to an OPC and they did the "cheat" for me.....(and still under porsche warranty. nothing to worry about) they told me that is just a cut on a wire wich controls this.very simple.) concerning the sound your wife is absolutelly right. let someone else to drive ur car (if you don't mind) and follow him......you will be pleased.... and something that you should experience...... unfortunetelly my english are not that good to describe it but i will try and some of you you will correct me. THE most amazing sound of the PSE is when you rev ur to the rev-limiter and then you change gear....sometimes you might be able to hear the backfire? (is this the correct word? pls correct me) if you did understand what i mean then you will be pleased again!!!!!! try it

Thanks Harris, I will try it. I bet your english is 100 % better then my greek? Cheers, Tom L

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I realize this is a very old thread. @Orient Express if you still have those directions handy to add the factory switch I would appreciate them. I just bought a set of mufflers and the install kit from Carnewal for my 1999 996 but it came with an aftermarket switch that I would prefer not to use.

Another wake from the dead, appropriately in October. I've been digging around for more information about PSE and learned about the button. My 996 targa with 06-2002 build date has PSE from the factory, but no button. Based on what I read I decided to look a little more and found that I have the wiring, but there is a blank in the horseshoe in place of the switch. (Yes I am going to order one!)

FWIW,, my 2003 has the switch but you turn it ON to make the car quiet and OFF to make it louder.. That supposedly reversed by the end of the 03 model year.. ?? Haven't been able to positively verify that its not due to something fubar in the plumbing..

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That's how mine works too (2002). Power is required to close the vacuum-operated flaps. No power = flaps open, 'sport mode' sound. I pretty much leave the exhaust in sport mode, but then I live in a rural area. I quiet things down coming in and out of my little neighborhood, and when I park at the local library. Otherwise its vroom-vroom all the time.

LOVE my sport exhaust! 2003 switch on dash makes it quiet. Wish my turbo had sport exhaust