Custom Installation of a Garage Door/Gate Transmitter in a Porsche 996

Two custom installations of a garage door/gate transmitters in Porsche 996's are shown at web sites depicted & hyperlinked below: <a href="http://p-car.com/996/diy/clicker/index.html" target="_blank">http://p-car.com/996/diy/clicker/index.html</a> <a href="http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Factory/4822/key.html" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Factory/4822/key.html</a> Has anyone attempted or considered either of these installations with suggestions & recommendations, thereof, or do you have other ideas in this regard? Thanks, Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Yes. I am considering using one of the switches in the center console and using the phone (power) connector to plug into a stripped down opener. I will likely make a small voltage converter to change the 12 volts to 9 volts so the opener electronics think it's the battery. Geez... I wish Porsche would use Homelink. I have that on my other two cars and it works great. Loren (99 996)

Although Homelink doesn't seem to offer an integrated transmitter system for Porsches, I'm sure they would offer us a unit we could use for these projects. Homelink can be contacted at <a href="http://www.homelink.com/home/home.html" target="_blank">http://www.homelink.com/home/home.html</a> I will need to open a garage door and a front gate at a gated community I am moving to and I will need a transmitter that will work with both or two individual transmitters that work with each application. Consequently, I will need to access 2 dash buttons. I'm thinking of utilizing the two blanks under the PSM button on the left side of the upper center console. Sinse I am getting a Cab, I am alternately considering the purchase of the 996 '02 Targa lower center console switch plate whose center switch locations were intended for top & shade functions on the Targa. Picture follows: <a href="http://hobbystage.net/porsche/rhonig/1017512535-002745.jpg" target="_blank">http://hobbystage.net/porsche/rhonig/1017512535-002745.jpg</a> Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Ooops! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

I had Jamey at Paris Audio do the first hack you pictured. Used the Porsche 'key' switch mounted in the center console. It still runs off the 9-volt battery in the garage door opener mounted with some velcro beneath the center console. It's been almost three years and I haven't changed the battery yet. There is a hack available to get the light on the switch to illuminate, but I haven't worried about that. It's nice to not go searching or have a garage door opener sitting out. Homelink would be nice. If you'll need two switches as you mention and have two blank openings either on the center console go for it. OEM look is very nice. Brent

Brent, First install picture has LED working and connects to vehicle battery, if I properly understand the installation description hyperlinked below. <a href="http://p-car.com/996/diy/clicker/index.html" target="_blank">http://p-car.com/996/diy/clicker/index.html</a> Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Kinda lools like it just skimming. All I had done was to take a door lock switch from Porsche and solder two leads to the garage door opener and connect them to the switch. Press the switch and close the circuit to activate the garage door opener. The hack you posted may be better for you since you need two. Outside of having two 'key' labeled switches up on the dash you'd never know.

That's MY pic in the second photo. Here's the text to go along with it, and you can see more pics at my site: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/esklut/Erics996.html" target="_blank">www.geocities.com/esklut/Erics996.html</a> It was really a simple installation in my 996 Cab. The oval plate can be removed easily with a pick tool. Then it is drilled to take the pushbutton and LED. The leads are run from there through the cavity of the side of the vent right down to the wiring. The power is picked up from the fuse panel, then looped to the circuit board of the opener. My opener was already 12 volt, so it was a snap. Get the smallest remote opener your garage operator offers. Then remove the circuit board, and solder the leads to the + and - contacts. You will also need to close the circuit on the board itself, so it's as if it is always on. That way when you push the remote pushbutton, it will trigger the current and open the garage door. I placed my circuit board inside a ziploc, then placed it up under the dash. You may need to experiment with location to make sure the signal can get out. Closer to the glass is best.

Hey Richard do you know that part number for the bat wing panel that has the Targa buttons on it? That would be great for this hack! I have my remote velcroed to the door storage container, ijust flip it up and press the button works great but takes up some room in the door!! <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

Dranon: 9965523350201C 2 Switch Panel 99655233501C 4 Switch Panel @ $5 each + shipping from Sunset Porsche [phone removed] ask for Jeff in parts. Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

I have contacted Homelink in search of a small 12V transmitter that I can place behind the dash & utilize two of the OEM central locking switches in place of the blank swiches on lower left of center dash unit. I would like to get the LEDs on the swiches to light when transmitter is activated I will post the results of this contact after it occurs. Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Richard, I contacted them and Porsche several months ago and got no reply. Please let us know if you get anything. I think homelink could make a fortune selling something like this to people with cars who don't have HomeLink. PORSCHE - ARE YOU LISTENING? Every high end car/SUV has a HomeLink now, GET WITH THE PROGRAM!

I just clipped my small Liftmaster opener to the bottom front of the seat, feet can't hit it and can't be seen ( security ) if you don't know it's there .

Brian, I would expect that it was Porsche's reticence to add just another gadget to complicate their production line that led to their disinterest in your idea which was certainly a good one, in my mind. They probably feel something like the following will do the job for their customers: If you had peaked the interest of Homelink & Porsche to work together they would probably have mounted something that looked like this somewhere high in the interior of the vehicle. I feel that interior storage space is at such a minimum in the vehicle that I would enjoy customizing an OEM looking installation of a garage/gate opener in my 996 utilizing OEM switches replacing ugly switch blanks in the dash. I would like to use a Homelink transmitter because they are set up to run on 12V current and their units work with a wide range of frequencies. I'll let you know how I proceed. Regards, Richard <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

If I know Porsche, they will have " Homelink(TM) Visor , matching leatherette " for $850 option if you bug them enough.

Perhaps there will be an "Advaced Personal Convenience Package" on the 2003's, consisting of footwell lighting & a visor mounted Homelink for $1,250 factory installed or $1,250 as from the Tequipment catalogue with $300 - $650 dealer installation charge, depending on which dealer installs the package for you.

The cost of owning a 996 : you can get carbon fiber door sills , etc. for rice rockets and VWs, Audis for couple hundred bucks, but same pieces cost 600-800 dollars for 996. Compare chips, exhaust, susp bits ( like coil over sets for Porsche vs VW/Audi made by H&R, etc., ) and you pay 2-3x the price for 996 version.