Question on Gauge display for On Board Computer - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

My car is a 2003 and didn't come from the factory with the on board computer. Quite a while ago, I added the 4th stalk, bought the well-made harness from PDwight and had my shop activate the OBC. My OBC stalk scrolls through all of the available functions, and I can set and cancel the speed alarm with it and reset average mpg and the trip odometer with it. But all of the OBD functions appear on the trip odometer line in the screen. In the owners's manual, there is a section on gauges for cars without the OBC and another section for cars factory equipped with the OBC. The section for cars with the OBC shows the OBC functions on a third line, below the trip odometer. The owner's manual also shows pictures for bringing up a function on the left side of the screen to scroll through the various OBC functions and oil level. I can't do that on my car. I double checked that I inserted the 4 wires into the correct slots and that they are securely installed. A couple of pictures from the owner's manual showing what I'm referring to are below. I'm wondering if there is another step to activating the OBC with a Durametric or PST, or if the cars that were factory equipped with the OBC have a different gauge set. If there is a trick to bringing these screens up on my car with the gauges I have, I'd like to do it. I've done a search and haven't come up with an answer. Does anyone know the answer?

I have an 03 and did the exact same. Although all 986 cars can have the OAT or OBC hack done, I believe the car would have to have been ordered with the OBC to get the updated, horizontally lined display. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I moved from a 2001 to a 2004 gauge and had my "Porsche Zentrum" activate the OBC. Works as intended. I did all the wiring myself. As you mentioned all the parameters are shown in the 3rd line. But this is very interesting, that the display can function in different settings, like yours showing the selected parameter in the 2nd line. A picture would be nice, to see how that looks. Does that imply, that it MIGHT be possible to mod the OBC display? I really would like to see the speed in the 3rd line...but that might never happen

Thanks for the replies. grc0456, I think you're probably right, there are a few different gauge set part numbers listed for the 2003 Boxster and and Boxster S, some of the descriptions say they are the "Sport Version," but none of the descriptions mention OBC activated or not. Mine is a version with the aluminum look trim rings. Interestingly, the part descriptions also don't say manual or tiptronic! Bran, did you mean you installed a 2004 gauge set in a 2001 Boxster, or that you switched cars from a 2001 to a 2004? The 2003 has the digital speedometer underneath the analog speedometer way off on the left, where it is really useless, compared to the earlier years where digital speed was in the center screen under the tachometer. Here are all the pictures of what I get on my screen with the OBC: Oil level check when the key is first turned on: Speed alarm gong set to 186 mph: Speed alarm gong turned off: Miles left until empty: Average mpg: Average mph: Trip odometer:

Okay, I guess we can solve the mystery now. There are 2 different types of OBC display, Dot matrix and regular (like yours) You can tell, that the look of your numbers don't resemble the ones shown in the manual. Yes, I switched from a 2001 3-gauge (like yours) to a 2004 5-gauge (996, Dot matrix).

Thanks Bran, if I ever switch to a 996 cluster I’ll be sure to get the dot matrix!

My gauge display was broken somewhat, when i got the car a couple of months ago.the speed and date were tough to read .all else was ok. Now it has magically repaited itself totally readable. So whats up with that....good luck or Voodoo. Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

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My guess is the Voodoo is a seasonal change in temperature and humidity!

I guess I like the heat and humidity now...wonder if it will change in Colder less wet weather? This posted out of order..🐶🐶