Dension 500 - Help!

I've had a Dension 500 fitted to my C4S 2004. with PCM II., but it doesn't appear to work properly. Since connected we get a display that says "System error" "Phone, Amplifier not working". The dension will play, but its recognised as a CD changer. Just says the track numbers and CD's 1 to 6.. It also only plays if you connect it after the PCM has been running. It's like its not syncing properly. I've had the car at an indie Porsche garage this afternoon, he couldn't sort it but charged me anyway.. [ ] When all said and done I'm pretty sure that its connected properly, it just doesn't appear to communicating with the cars PCM. I really don't know what to try next or do. Any ideas???? Thanks, Nick

Hi AK, I have a D500 system and will try and help if I can. First off have you downloaded the latest software update from Dension. (v2.15 for MOST systems) Bit obvious to ask I know! The error message you describe isn't something I have seen on mine - did you remove the PCM during the install? You have the set up the dip switches on the unit as described in the manual? Also just checking the connection is as the following description. (taken from the manual) In all other compatible Porsche models with optical MOST ring (Boxster, Cayman and 911), the GATEWAY 500 interface must be integrated into the optical ring before the CD changer, like shown in picture 1, page 2 introduction paragraph of the Dension English installation guide. ​ ​ When installing the Dension unit before the CD Changer. The pictures 2b and 3 on page 3 might raise the impression, the GATEWAY 500 interface is meant to be installed into the optical line-out cable after the CD-changer. This is not valid for Porsche systems; please ignore picture 2b and 3 on p. 3 regarding the optical ring direction when installing at the CD changer. ​ ​ ​ ​

Hi Ron, Richard said you had a dension also pointed me towards Renntech where you've posted previously. I was going to install it myself, but I chickened out and got a pro to do it. He did it while I was away over Christmas and I came back and switched it on and these error messages came up as soon as I did. I then rang him and he sent another guy to put it right. The second guy was here a couple of hours, said it was working intermitently but was on the phone for ages and came to the conclusion that it was fine and needed activating. I spent this afternoon with a guy at TWG peterborough who said he could activate it. It's still just the same! If you switch it on with the ipod connected the cd screen comes up as if its playing but no sound. If you then disconnect and reconnect it works (but no song info just track & no's). As I tried to explain in the first post it just doesn't seem to sync with the pcm. Tonight I down loaded the most upto date software and installed it, but no difference. The user manual has gone walkabout with one of the pro's so I've no idea about the pictures, sorry. I'm pretty sure theres nothing to far amiss, but either the indie hadn't a clue or I'm missing a vital bit of set up info as to how to configure it with the PCM. I've no idea whether that will make sense to you, but I'm just lost with it.

What Ipod you running? I do know some of very late Ipods had running issues but I am not certain if they have been overcome. I run 80Gb 5th Generation but I also have one of the new 160Gb Classic which I must admit I have not used on the car. You could try and run some tracks on a USB memory stick to see if there is any better results. This would then confirm the connection/unit issue.

I have just checked the newer Ipod models and it would appear they are all now compatible so ignore the last. Another of the silly question but the CDC has been taken of the loop completly hasn't it? And either you or the people you have look at it, are positive that the fibre optic cables have been installed the correct way?

Nick didn't have a CDC. Apparently it worked as-is without any coding changes! That's why I thought that coding the Gateway for the CD Changer (ie Dension) would fix the problem. Unfortunately the installers have buried the unit in the dash, so it isn't accessible. I have my doubts about a lot of things here: a) Have the installer's connected the MOST loop up correctly? b) Have the DIP switches been set properly? c) Has the car's Gateway coding been done correctly? My feeling is that at the end of the day someone is going to have to go back to basics and check it all out, which involves taking it out (yet again). I think if it was me I would relocate it to somewhere you can get to it, especially so that you can plug in a USB stick, etc. Having just swapped the system on my car, I haven't a lot of faith that the so-called 'professionals' have installed it properly. Mine was a right dog's breakfast.

I totally agree Richard, If the unit had been fitted correctly and is totally serviceable and assuming the coding is done. I can't see why AK would have this grief. The coding shouldn't be an issue should it? It is onlt fooling the car into thinking it has a CDC right? Sorry AK but theres no real way around this and as Richard says if its buried deep in the car as to make access an issue, it might be for the best.

Nick, I've not got a Dension 500 but I'd guess if you've been to Twiggys then your quite local to me (Glinton/Peterborough). I'm quite handy with this type of stuff. (I'm in PC Software/Hardware/Telecoms Development and Support) so if you still need any help I might be able to. What I do have is an iPhone 3G and it looks like that's now supported by the Dension so even if you've got it sorted now I'd appreciate a look and listen to it in operation at some point as I've also got PCM2 with a CD Changer. Cheers

Well I'm still trying! I am a little further on, but not there yet. I fiddled around this morning and have got this far. This is the situation (I think!): If I turn my PCM on without the key in the ignition, it lights up appears as it should but no sound. It says "System error" CD changer, Phone & Amplifier and I have to press confirm. Before fitting I'm certain that it worked ok. But not now. If I turn it on with the key it does seems now to work properly & play songs, but not show any track information. I'm absolutely certain that it should. But can't make it work. Any more ideas????