Porsche PCM w/ Nav $2250

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/pors...avigation-dvd_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38653QQihZ003QQitemZ130100408704QQrdZ1

Looks like a GREAT deal, as it will be over $3K if order through dealer.

The auction page indicates that it is for 2005 model year and is PCM 2 (not 2.1). If so...I don't know if that's not for a Cayman. I assume that PCM 2.1+ is required for Cayman. BUYER BEWARE!

Wonder what the difference is between PCM 2 & 2.1? Is it just the update version of the DVD disks? As the hardware looks the same. Maybe, others can provide more info.

No MP3 playing for one. You should NOT install a PCM in your car older than the date your car was manufacturered. Porsche updates these all the time with little changes and you risk something not working right or at all by doing so. That comes straight from Porsche.

here's some info i got from the seller: Here is the information that you requested regarding the porsche head unit. I'm going to give you everything on the sticker that may be important. PCM 2.1 EC: 111 Model # BE 6644 Ser. # 45008729 Accession # 0331621 Date of Man. 40/04 <<<< not sure how to decipher that 997.642.133.06

I think the seller sent a typo in the date, mine was very simply written out on the unit as was Kman-S's in his article. I don't know if I trust that part number; and I think it might be because of how old the PCM unit is (assuming 2004 build). I know from my own research that there was an issue where a certain model range of PCM units would not work correctly with a certain model range of Bose amplifiers. This isn't an issue if you have the sound package plus because it's analog, but you'd have to make sure that PCM unit didn't come out of a Bose car because older PCM units manufactured for Bose cars didn't have any built in drivers (amps), required for the SPP to work. Furthermore, here is a list from a Cayman TSB regarding PCM software updates which, IMO, demonstrates which part numbers you should restrict your search to. Note that the date of manufacture is still important because pcm2.1a (no mp3 support) and 2.1b were manufactured using the same part numbers, but 2.1b units started shipping in the second half of the year 2005.

I found more information...quoting a 997 TSB (9110) 997.642.133.xx is listed as not having a driver, thus will not work with sound package plus. Also, you want to verify that your Bose amplifier model number 997.645.333.06 or 997.645.334.22 to ensure compatibility of this PCM and your Bose amplifier!!! - Suneet

How to check the bose amplifier model number Thanks for the great info. I'm a newb so bare with me. How can I check the model number of my bose amp? Thanks in advance

tbutler, You'd have to take the amplifier off of its bracket (it's clipped on) in the front trunk and look at the part number on the bottom of it. Before you buy that model, I'd check to see with the dealer if it will work in your Cayman and if they will support it. - Suneet

Thank you for the info and the great thread. Unfortuantely, I only found the forum and thread two nights ago. I have been emailing the offerer of this item and we have been going back and forth prior to this listing. Because of all of the questions around this item in the Cayman he has agreed to take it back if it doesn't work in my auto. I am going to have it installed at the dealer and will let you all know. In talking to my local dealer, this is an upgrade that they have not done in the Cayman S so there are a lot of questions. As far as I know, he could be dealing in black market PCM's With risk comes great reward.... Or a lot of cursing..... I will let you all know....

Tbutler, we have articles with pictures that show how to install the PCM and navigation in a Cayman S, and the dealer has a workshop manual and TSB with the exact same information. The only trick will be in software updating and programming as the versions are different. If I can suggest... install the PCM headunit yourself following the article w\ pictures in the articles section because it only takes 30minutes to an hour at most. Now that I've done it a lot I can usually get the sucker out in 15. That will tell you if the PCM and amp you have are compatible, and then pay the dealers to install the nav kit (or again, if you have time, do it yourself following the article.) That might save you money in case the stuff just isn't compatible. This is how you tell... if you get an Amplifier not Present error, you have a compatibility issue, which might be quelled by software update. If you get no error, but also get no sound, then you just need the thing reprogrammed. - Suneet

sounds like a headache... just beware and ask a lot of questions, and ask for some guarantees from the dealer too...there was probably a reason you didn't order it with pcm in the first place so be careful this doesn't turn into a money pit paying for the thing to be installed and then possibly removed later...all that adds up in labor and you would probably be better off getting to an audio specialist that can put in a better unit like the pioneer AVIC nav/radio that gives you more flexibility...at least its something to consider, so look at all your options and good luck.

I will keep you posted here Thanks Suneet and Dave90601 I'm going to get a quote from the two local Porsche dealers first to install it in case it goes side ways I ham hoping my costs will be fixed.. How do they update the software. Is it like an eprom flash or something that they can do at the dealer? I will checkout the atricle section. Thanks for the help

The dealer has software update cd's, usually in stock. - Suneet

Suneet I just looked at both articles around installation. I think I am going to do it myself. They looked too easy thanks to your detailed instructions. I just need some clarification. The Head unit is very self explanitory, no questions there. My question is the dvd/nav installation. It looks like I do not have to run any wires through the firewall correct. I guess the extra input on the head unit is indeed just extra. So the head unit connects to Power and the MOST bus and that is it? It seems too easy to be true... thanks in advance tbutler

That's the wonders of the MOST bus... there's no actual inputs\outputs on the headunit, just the one that connects it to the MOST bus and once it connects to the MOST ring, it's automatically chained into the MOST bus and you can put in additions (cd changer, Densioin, Nav drive) anywhere in the chain. You won't have to run anything through the firewall into the cabin. You will have to run the GPS antenna wire through the firewall between the battery compartment and the front storage area, but that's really, really simple. Ken did a great job on those articles with lots of pictures, so you shouldn't have any issues at all. You will have to pay for an hour of programming at your dealer once you put it in, but that's way cheaper than paying them to do the install. - Suneet

Manufacture date If my VIN is WP0AB298X6U780934 is there a way to tell what date my car actually rolled off the line?

Not from the VIN no... the only time demarkation is the 6 meaning it's a 2006. I think the build date is sometimes listed on the car... but I'm not sure where, perhaps another user will chime in.

dash question I am putting the unit in now. I am following the article from K-Man. Here is my question. Passenger footwell there appears to be a vent that sticks out into the passenger footwell just beneath the power outlet. In the directions it shows the torx screw location but this vent housing covers where that screw would be. Any ideas on how to get that vent housing off? I didn't want to start tearing apart the dash if I didn't need too. Thanks in advance. tbutler

The middle of the vent pops out I would like to retract myt previous post. Per the subject line, the middle of the vent has a plastic insert that directs the air. It pops out rather easily by lifting on the middle tine. Once out, the torx is exposed

if you mean the port on the bose subwoofer in the passenger footwell, then you just pull firmly on the plastic in the center and it will come out. edit: looks like you got it!

Is there any word on when Porsche will introduce a new PCM model? 2.2? 3? I wonder if it will come out with the MY 08 and if it would be compatible with older caymans. J

Jeff, I discussed this quite a bit in the following thread: http://www.planet-9.com/showthread.php?t=11149 Porsche hasn't given any information at all about a small PCM revision (such as 2.2), but there have been rumors of Sirius radio being integrated very soon into Caymans and 911's. However, since dealers have discovered this can pretty much be done already with Cayenne kits, there is a pretty small chance this will lead to a PCM revision. Like I mention in the other thread, PCM3 is rumored to debut with the Panamera in 2009. - Suneet

Thanks, I won't hold my breath. Jeff

Success - I just wanted to let everyone know that the PCM head unit is in and working. This is what I found out that might help somone else in the future: - The unit is for an 05 Boxster - Since it was in another car previously, there is a sercurity registration that Porsche has to re-program. These units are tied to a VIN and will not work until re programmed for the new VIN - The unit was 5 software revisions old. It is updated and fully functional now - The last thing that I have to do is install the DVD drive for the nav unit per the article and have it activiated and it should be good to go! One last thing, I will post this on the article page also but the Porsche tech told me that in the 05 CS you do not have to go through the firewall to install the GPS antenna. There is a clip under the plastic housing on the drivers side that the antenna attaches to. I will use it when I do my install and update if it is any different. Just wanted to share what I found out. I guess these units can be updated so if you find one you might choose to take a chance.

tbutler, that's good news tbutler, congratulations. The mounting location for the antenna that your tech described is the same as the one Kman S uses, I didn't mean you had to go through the main firewall of the car into the cabin, but the one between the DVD nav drive compartment into the battery compartment which will give you access to the antenna clip under the plastic cowl cover. - Suneet