996 CDR23 MOST Bluetooth Upgrade Replacing CDC-4 AutoChanger

I’m posting this as I spent a lot of time of forums trying to see how to add a ‘MR12Volt’ Bluetooth adaptor to my 996 equipped with CDR23 and 6 CD auto-changer, and how difficult it would be. In short, I got there, and it’s pretty straightforward. Best resource to arrive at these instructions was a Youtube video from ‘Enfig’ (‘Porsche 911 (996) Bluetooth USB AUX Installation Dension’) (sorry not good at getting links). Different kit but similar install, and extremely helpful. My spec - 2003 C2s cab with MOST fibre optic system, CDR23 and CDC-4 autochanger in the frunk. I wanted to use my iPhone X for music streaming and bluetooth phone calls. I thought long and hard about the ‘double din’/heater relocate install of a fancy Pioneer/Apple Carplay/DAB system. But in the end I decided I wanted a stock look, and further to that liked the GT3 centre console delete mod. So I’ve done the console delete and installed a ‘MR12Volt’ Bluetooth adapter. Console delete instructions are easy to find on the web and in the book ‘101 projects for your Porsche 911’. So Bluetooth module install then: 1) I bought ‘Mr12volt’ adapter via eBay (Seller 023Jordan, Hong Kong supplier, fast service and well packed), and 2 positap connectors as I don’t trust wiretaps 2) Decided I would remove CDC-4 autochanger as I wasn’t going to use it any more 3) started in frunk. CDC-4 doesn’t need to be unbolted to pull it out as per some threads. It is held in place by two sprung clips attached to the bracket at the back. It you lift it up with a bit of wiggling it should come out of the clips/bracket. Might help to pull the bonnet seal away, I did which made it easier. 4) MOST cable easy to pull off by pressing clip on connector. I attached the MOST looper from the Bluetooth kit by simply plugging it into the pulled off connector. Pushed wires behind amp. 5) Wiring connector harder to get off, needs a small screwdriver down the front of the connector to release the clip. Take care, a bit fiddly and if like me you want the option to replace the CDC-4 in future you need to not wreck the connector or the CDC-4. Not too tricky if you are patient and gentle 6) Taped up the wiring connector and again pushed behind the amp 7) Removed amp bracket with 10mm ratchet spanner to leave a tidy bay. Two bolts. Replaced bolts, and put Velcro backed tool kit in place where the CDC-4 had been, looks like it was meant to live there 8) Into car, turned CDR23 on, ’CDC’ option not available, suggesting the MOST looper was doing it’s job 9) Removed CDR-23 using Becker ‘keys’ bought from eBay for 2 quid. Once CDR23 is out the ‘keys‘ release by pressing a flat blade screwdriver into blue spring clips on side and wiggling ‘key’ out 10) Disconnected plugs on back of CDR23, easy peasy by pressing clips. Took a photo beforehand just to make sure I remembered where to put them back in! 11) Wired power cable for MR12VOLT by posi-tapping in as per the ’Enfig’ video referred to above, then plugged power socket into MR12VOLT 12) my MR12V kit came with a female MOST connector and 2 males in a loop. Plug female into original CDR23 MOST feed cable and plug new males into back of CD-R-23 and MR12VOLT 13) Set dip switch on MR12V to ‘3-on’, all others off 14) Routed iPhone Lightning cable (for charging) and mic cable around the centre ‘horseshoe’. Horseshoe comes off easy if you follow the steps in the Enfig video and use the right trim removers. Mic placed behind steering wheel not far from intermittent wiper rheostat. Again, take time and care so as not to damage any clips. Plugged both into MR12VOLT 15) Used 3m double side stickers supplied with kit to stick MR12V to back of the void where CD-R-23 goes. Plenty of space in my car 16) pushed cables to back of void carefully to avoid crimping them when pushing the unit back in 17) pushed CDR23 back in. Turned it on. Cycled to ’CDC’ which was now available again. Paired ‘phone as per instructions. Music, phone working. Bingo! Smug looks all round. Sounds pretty good, low noise, even works with Siri. Really pleased. Total cost of mods approx £300 including centre console delete. Chuffed to bits that it all went well, simple really, and end result is great, and so much better looking and much cheaper than double din route (in my humble opinion!). Hope that helps any who are scratching around for support like I was. Thanks again to ‘Enfig’ for their vid, really helped.

Interesting post, thanks. I have a 2002 C4S with a CDR23 and Bose, but no CDC. I would like Bluetooth but have no desire to change to a 2 din system. How do I find out if it is MOST and will your conversion work on my system without the CDC? Cheers, Phil

I just installed the Mr12volt P600 in my 2004 996C4S. As described, really not too difficult and sounds OK. I left the CD changer in place and just bypassed with the fibre optic loop and spliced the power feed onto the Porsche loom - couldn't use those horrible connectors. Only issue I had was making sure the cabling was all out of the way before trying to get the head unit back in again. Super neat install. I have a centre console delete so the new box sits below the head-unit. I've run a USB socket cable out to the centre console so that I can plug in any phone. It looks completely standard. Picture shows end results - USB connector just visible on passenger side of front of centre console. Happy to answer any questions.

Thanks. I have just managed to fit the isounds transit BT system. What's more, it seems to work! Main problem was hiding all the cables. I also had to buy a Farkra to Din adaptor (x2). Sounds nice over the BOSE system. Trouble is I can't hear the engine now!

I trying to fit the Mr12volt but cannot get my Cdr23 to go into multi CD mode. Any ideas?

Do you / did you have a cd autochanger fitted? I recall being told the CDR23 HU needs to be coded to tell it has the autochanger , which you new unit replaces / emulates

Thanks for the reply. I haven't got any CD's but assumed it worked as the car came with the CD changer. Turns out it doesn't. So I think you are correct, the radio needs programming to see the changer.

Hi Simon, This is an old thread I know but this is where I a right now, CDR23 with no CDC sobi have 2 questions for you: 1) did you get your CDR23 enabled for CDC? 2) did you find a MOST cable to put the loop back on? rgds kevin

I actually went to my OPC today to find out about getting my CDR23 programmed for CDC, the service centre said they wouldn‘t do it but would replace the whole head unit to enable Bluetooth. Interesting that I didn’t mention Bluetooth to them so they knew why I was asking. Told them I wouldn’t get them to change it if I did change, as I didn’t want a PCCM, I‘d go aftermarket. The girl didn’t disagree. So next question, as they won’t do it, is there anyone else who has the dials kit to do the programming? I’m thinking I’ll contact a different OPC.

Any half decent Indy can do it

If you are anywhere near me (Princes Risborough, Bucks), I would be happy to give it a go. But as Clive says, a good indy should be able to do it.

Any progress with this RE: cars without the factory CDC that needed coding?

I thought I’d share my initial experience of fitting a Mr12Volt P800PO module to my 996.2, which has the CDR-23 and Bose/MOST system. The module adds Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling while retaining the original head unit. My car didn’t have a CD changer, but the supplying dealer, RPM Specialist Cars, was able to code the CD-changer function before I fitted the Mr12Volt unit. Installation wasn’t entirely straightforward. There appeared to be a tolerance issue with the power connector: power was reaching the plug, but the terminals weren’t making reliable contact with the module when connected. The module also doesn’t complete the fibre-optic loop unless it has power, which made diagnosing the problem slightly more challenging. Once that was resolved, the CDR-23 initially exhibited some slightly odd behaviour, although it subsequently seemed to sort itself out. Pairing my phone by Bluetooth was easy enough, but it took a little experimentation before music would play consistently through the stereo. The CDR-23 doesn’t display artist or track information; it simply shows Track 1, Track 2 and so on. You can skip backwards and forwards between tracks, and it appears that calls can be answered using the right-hand knob. I still need to spend some time balancing the different volume levels for Bluetooth streaming, calls and the radio/CD. Touch wood, it now seems to be working. On Sunday I briefly had no audio at all, although I’m not convinced that was caused by the Mr12Volt unit. Turning the car off, locking and unlocking it, and then restarting restored everything. Yesterday it worked fine on the way to the station, but messed up on the way home, which was extremely frustrating. Cycling through the modes on the stereo seemed to sort it, but not exactly the seamless experience I was hoping for. Right now the Mr12volt unit just seems like a great advert for the merits of PCCM+ I’ll see how it performs over the next few weeks and report back if anything changes. My initial impression is that, much as I like the centre-console delete and retaining the original CDR-23, I do miss CarPlay—and I have very little patience for temperamental interfaces!