Planet 9

TresX · #1 04-16-2007, 09:13 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/porsc...00408704QQrdZ1

ploc36 · #2 04-16-2007, 09:27 PM

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

hsjb · #3 04-16-2007, 09:30 PM

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!

ploc36 · #4 04-16-2007, 09:36 PM

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.

**K-Man S** · #5 04-16-2007, 09:49 PM

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.

**porcupine** · #6 04-17-2007, 06:32 PM

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

**suneet** · #7 04-17-2007, 07:35 PM

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.

**suneet** · #8 04-17-2007, 07:44 PM

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

**tbutler** · #9 04-19-2007, 07:54 PM

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

**suneet** · #10 04-20-2007, 12:16 PM

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

**tbutler** · #11 04-21-2007, 10:58 AM

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....

**suneet** · #12 04-21-2007, 05:04 PM

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

dave90601 · #13 04-21-2007, 06:14 PM

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.

**tbutler** · #14 04-22-2007, 07:19 PM

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

**suneet** · #15 04-22-2007, 07:20 PM

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

- Suneet

**tbutler** · #16 04-23-2007, 07:57 AM

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

**suneet** · #17 04-23-2007, 09:03 AM

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

**tbutler** · #18 04-23-2007, 12:09 PM

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

**suneet** · #19 04-23-2007, 12:11 PM

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.

**tbutler** · #20 04-25-2007, 11:05 AM

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