OBC

I've read the links posted here about hacking the OBC and thought I would like to have it enabled. I decided to call my dealer and ask them about enabling my OBC and adding the 4th stock to my 2001 C2 Cab. They quoted me $500. I asked them why, since it was simply enabling the OBC and adding the 4th stock. I was told no there was all sorts of parts and work involved. What I want to know is my dealer (Porsche of Orlando) blowing smoke?

This is baloney! Just complain about some problem or wait until you have your oil changed or take it in for whatever. When you do this ask to talk to the mechanic who will be working on your car and just ask him to enable it. He really won't care and should do it for you. If not bribe him with some cigars - very useful tool and shows respect for his time. The rest you can do with just a switch and a couple of wires! here is the tutorial I used. It was hard at first, but just take your time and don't get frustrated and it will be worth it! here is the link: <a href="http://www.whiteson.org/boxster/mods/obc/" target="_blank">http://www.whiteson.org/boxster/mods/obc/</a> YOu really can use whatever switch you want btw. You can also do the stalk if you so choose and I have a link for that one also, but the stock costs much more. <a href="http://www.whiteson.org/boxster/mods/obc/obc.stalk.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.whiteson.org/boxster/mods/obc/obc.stalk.pdf</a> Have fun. don't let service writers get you down, they are in the business of making money, that's why you buddy up with your mechanic beyond the reason of having your car taken care of well!

If you buy the stalk switch, it's about $190 and two hours to install would bting the total to around $360. But you could opt for the cheaper switch options, and if your dealer won't do the PST2 tweaking for free, you should hate them. (I like the bribe idea above)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Back-n-Black: <strong>I've read the links posted here about hacking the OBC and thought I would like to have it enabled. I decided to call my dealer and ask them about enabling my OBC and adding the 4th stock to my 2001 C2 Cab. They quoted me $500. I asked them why, since it was simply enabling the OBC and adding the 4th stock. I was told no there was all sorts of parts and work involved. What I want to know is my dealer (Porsche of Orlando) blowing smoke?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">It's a very reasonable price. I did it myself on my 2000 but would have gldaly paid $500 to have it done. It involves removing the steering wheel and airbag, removing the instrument cluster, exchanging the 3 stalk assembly for a 4, keeping the wheel straight, making looms of wire with telepone type wire, fiddling with connectors etc. If you count $230 for the part (I think that that is what that part costs) and 2.5 hours of labor at $75/hr you get close to that. You will not be regretting having the OBC on. It's a must in my opinion (factory f..ed up my order so I had to do it after) JM

The link above with the pdf instructions for the trip computer retrofit with stalk were prepared by Peter, a friend who is the shop manager at my local dealer. You do not add the missing stalk, You remove the 3 stalk steering column switch assembly and replace it with a 4 stalk switch. You can get that part on the internet for $150. The 5 VW wires, connector, and connector cover are about $18. It takes about an hour if you have done a few. My dealer charges $450, including parts. But they have not done one for a customer in years as we do them ourselves. So, your dealer is not blowing smoke. I have some recent pics on the UK Boxster board when I did it on a 2003. Jeff <a href="http://forum.boxa.net/index.php?act=ST&f=13&t=394&s=6b8903aec866ced585fb1659f782aa5a" target="_blank">UK board</a> <img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/ToolPants/trip6.sized.jpg" alt=" - " />

Thanks for all the information. In years past I did a lot of my own work, however these days it seems I have more money than time. I don't mind paying a fair price for professional work, but I just don't like getting taken to the cleaners (especially when I'm patronizing a business). Once again this board has been most helpful.

YOu could always give the mechanic a cigar or two to enable it and then randomly ask if he knows how to add the stalk or the switch, and tell him you have the instructions. You might just then be able to have him do it, not at the dealership though, and that way he can pocket the dough. I am all about helping the mechanic over the dealer if you hadn't noticed.- In any event, it only takes one torq bit a butter knife wire strippers/crimpers a bit of wire, connectors, and the vw wire(s), plus of course the switch or stalk. I did it myself in not too long once I figured out how Porsche did the cam lock!