[bnxsy]

Feels like 90% of the time when I learn something, I stumble upon a dead forum post. Bully for me, this isn't dead! Happy I found this out.

I got my ThinkDiag setup earlier today. I've coded it for GT3 steering, Neutral marker in display, remote windows.

Now I'm trying to determine a few things: both if I should do them or if they're worth doing.

• Rain Sensing. I noticed that mine ocassionally works? But it's nothing exciting. Is the rain sensing menu something that could improve response / sensing of rain somehow?
• Comfort Seating: is there a setting to code to have the seat move back farther on entry/exit with comfort seats / memory seats?
• Is there a way to activate navigation in the vehicle? I bought my Cayman used and it had the PCM replaced once, so Maps/Navigation are not available and will just "load" forever. Last I read, this was something that I'd have to go to a dealer for, but that's time and energy (and maybe even money).
• Is it worth trying to get the Power/Torque display rendering? Sounds like it just shows a linear movement on a graph rather than full x/y range.
• What's the hydraulic brake boost do?

If any of these are worth doing, would anyone be willing to provide the steps? Would love to learn more about what people have tried and succeeded or failed before I do something silly.

 

[SJFoster]

• Rain Sensing. I noticed that mine ocassionally works? But it's nothing exciting. Is the rain sensing menu something that could improve response / sensing of rain somehow?
• Comfort Seating: is there a setting to code to have the seat move back farther on entry/exit with comfort seats / memory seats?
• Is there a way to activate navigation in the vehicle? I bought my Cayman used and it had the PCM replaced once, so Maps/Navigation are not available and will just "load" forever. Last I read, this was something that I'd have to go to a dealer for, but that's time and energy (and maybe even money).
• Is it worth trying to get the Power/Torque display rendering? Sounds like it just shows a linear movement on a graph rather than full x/y range.
• What's the hydraulic brake boost do?

• Rain sensing menu just turns it on or off - no menu sensitivity adjustment as far as I'm aware.
• Comfort seating: don't know.
• Navigation isn't worth the effort in a standard 2014 981 nav unit. It's hopelessly out of date and unsupported by Porsche. I think that the last official map update was somewhere around 2016.
• Power/Torque display is totally incorrect for a 981 - of no use. (I've been meaning to investigate whether, like the coolant display for example, the power/torque values at various rpm values can be changed to match the torque/power curves for my car).
• Brake boost settings change the pedal pressure required or the force threshold at which boost is increased - not sure about the exact mechanism. The standard setting provides the least boost. There are two other settings that incrementally increase the boost.

I'd suggest changing the speedometer display to improve accuracy, displaying accurate coolant temperatures, adjusting brake boost and activating the software component of PTV as good next steps. If you drive a manual then disabling the up-shift arrows is tremendously satisfying!

And as you mentioned "doing something silly" I'd recommend that you always record the default values of any settings that you change.

If you search for "ThinkDiag magic" on the forum whose name may not be uttered here (RL) you'll find a document with instructions for making all of these changes and more.

 

[ShiftyWolf]

Feels like 90% of the time when I learn something, I stumble upon a dead forum post. Bully for me, this isn't dead! Happy I found this out.

I got my ThinkDiag setup earlier today. I've coded it for GT3 steering, Neutral marker in display, remote windows.

Now I'm trying to determine a few things: both if I should do them or if they're worth doing.

• Rain Sensing. I noticed that mine ocassionally works? But it's nothing exciting. Is the rain sensing menu something that could improve response / sensing of rain somehow?
• Comfort Seating: is there a setting to code to have the seat move back farther on entry/exit with comfort seats / memory seats?
• Is there a way to activate navigation in the vehicle? I bought my Cayman used and it had the PCM replaced once, so Maps/Navigation are not available and will just "load" forever. Last I read, this was something that I'd have to go to a dealer for, but that's time and energy (and maybe even money).
• Is it worth trying to get the Power/Torque display rendering? Sounds like it just shows a linear movement on a graph rather than full x/y range.
• What's the hydraulic brake boost do?

If any of these are worth doing, would anyone be willing to provide the steps? Would love to learn more about what people have tried and succeeded or failed before I do something silly.

I edited my original post #1 and added the coding document as an attachment; something I should have done from the start

I take no credit for the manual itself, as it represents the hard work of many others, and am so appreciative of the time they put into it. Discovering and documenting all these coding options has been huge to so many P-car models!

 

[ShiftyWolf]

The torque and HP displays are completely useless, but the G-meter is fun. I activated both together and just un-checked the performance graphs in the IC.

You could try to set BCM config: BCM config byte 4 - G force to 1 without the other codes and see if that enables the G-meter without having to add the performance coding. That worked in my Macan but it already had sport chrono and other performance displays active (such as F/R torque display).

 

[SwissCayman]

Navigation isn't worth the effort in a standard 2014 981 nav unit. It's hopelessly out of date and unsupported by Porsche. I think that the last official map update was somewhere around 2016.

Fortunately that's not exactly true. There was a map update in 2023 - at least for Europe.

 

[Cayman Ed]

From what I have read in the other forum, the 981 GT4 has the same steering rack as the 981 (base, S, GTS) and only the 981 Boxster Spyder is different. I have been researching lately on the alignment spec of GT4 and will share it if it's different once I have it.
The PSP is okay with me as it works only below 20 kph. Paying $280 for PSP is hard to swallow if you can get a Thinkdiag for $83 that can do many other codings, diagnostics, clear CEL, maintenance reset, generate over-rev report and many others.

I have used Ken's coding guide. The step by step procedure maybe slightly different but I get it and gives me the idea on how to proceed with my Thinkdiag.

 

[bnxsy]

I'd suggest changing the speedometer display to improve accuracy, displaying accurate coolant temperatures, adjusting brake boost and activating the software component of PTV as good next steps. If you drive a manual then disabling the up-shift arrows is tremendously satisfying!

Thanks for the reply - the car came with PTV so I've got the LSD and the software portion enabled by default I believe.

Re: speedometer display changes - what exactly is this one?

I've seen the accurate coolant temps mentioned and that one looks straightforward - just making sure what looks like the X values for coolant are copied to the Y values for the 1-8 settings or similar.

I'll dig into the seating section and see if I can't find anything about comfort. I saw someone mention in another forum that the default value is 25mm or something but can be upped to 50mm, just didn't know the route to changing it.

 

[bnxsy]

I edited my original post #1 and added the coding document as an attachment; something I should have done from the start

I take no credit for the manual itself, as it represents the hard work of many others, and am so appreciative of the time they put into it. Discovering and documenting all these coding options has been huge to so many P-car models!

Oh wow, that manual is great! I imagine the difference between X431 and ThinkDiag has some level of complexity, but if they're both just menus on menus then navigating around should come up with the similar options eventually, yeah?

And I bet some of those don't work, 718 vs 981 and all that, but there should be crossover.

Thanks for the edit and the doc!

 

[ShiftyWolf]

Oh wow, that manual is great! I imagine the difference between X431 and ThinkDiag has some level of complexity, but if they're both just menus on menus then navigating around should come up with the similar options eventually, yeah?

And I bet some of those don't work, 718 vs 981 and all that, but there should be crossover.

Thanks for the edit and the doc!

We've found that many of the options transfer over to the 981, with only a few exceptions. Folks here have figured out and unlocked a number of different features and posted their results, which has been great for sharing info.

I played around just a bit on my Macan and was able to turn off the warning beep on trunk open and close. That by itself was enough to make the cost worthwhile.

 

[JCtx]

The 981 and 781 are almost identical, so probably 95%+ of the coding options apply to both. By the way, the same company owns X431 and ThinkDiag, so the coding software should be the same. The coding instructions might differ a little, but I bet the coding names are identical, which is what you want.
I just got my X431 CRP919X Elite, and it's HUGE!!! Wish I could have canceled to order a ThinkDiag2 (plus a $40 Amazon Android phone), but it had shipped already. Wish the owner with a '25 (like mine) had posted he could code his car with a TD, and I'd have been able to cancel my order. Oh well. I won't have it in my car; it's like a freaking suitcase. Ha ha.

Now to some comments from the questions above:
- Rain sensor menu: Several people reported it DOES NOT WORK. At least not on 718, so you could try it on a 981, if you want. The menu item is added, but when you uncheck it, it keeps working with the sensor. So you have to either live with the sensor, or deactivate it, which is on step #43 of Ken's file. I don't know if my car has it, but I don't want it, so will check that code, and if active, would disable it.

- comfort entry modification: I have comfort entry, but have it disabled, since I don't need it. BUT, several 718 owners played with the values, and couldn't figure out how to make the seat go further back. They changed the numbers, and the seat went up, forward, or both, but never backwards. If one of you wants to play with it, hopefully you can figure out how the numbers work, and post your results. But don't be surprised if you can't achieve what you want.

-Speedometer changes: That works, and it's basically to match your speedometer with real speed. My car is only like 1 mph optimistic, so I don't mind. I changed that on my BMW motorcycle, because it was like 4 mph, so adjusted it to about 1 over (need to test it).

-Coolant real temp: It also works, and will be the first thing I'm changing tomorrow. Like it was said, just match the numbers on the left column. No more buffered values.

- The torque curve is just a gimmick. I wouldn't even bother. My car already has the G meter, and although not great, I definitely like it. Besides, apparently making the torque curve work can mess other things, so I don't recommend it.

- Brake boost changes: Porsche has THREE different boost levels, and our cars have the hardest (less boost), which is #3. Some folks who changed brake pads for less grabby ones (like ceramic), raise the boost to #2 (or even #1), but it'd feel artificial IMO. I have ceramic pads, and the difference in pedal pressure was minimal, since I can't even feel it, so will leave it at #3 stock. I like having modulation, and with the clutch too (not too light). Hope this helps. And also visit the coding site over the X431 forum, for more info.

 

[Cayman Ed]

- Rain sensor menu: Several people reported it DOES NOT WORK. At least not on 718, so you could try it on a 981, if you want. The menu item is added, but when you uncheck it, it keeps working with the sensor. So you have to either live with the sensor, or deactivate it, which is on step #43 of Ken's file. I don't know if my car has it, but I don't want it, so will check that code, and if active, would disable it.

When I coded the Rain Sensor Menu, I thought it did not work while driving under drizzles but was surprised that it works when the rain suddenly poured while driving in the highway. I can confirm 100% that it worked for me.

 

[ShiftyWolf]

When I coded the Rain Sensor Menu, I thought it did not work while driving under drizzles but was surprised that it works when the rain suddenly poured while driving in the highway. I can confirm 100% that it worked for me.

It's the opposite that is the problem

Even when unchecked, the rain sensor appears to still be functioning. Enabling it with coding does work well, as you stated.

 

[Scott Evil]

Damn, that does look good. I may have to go change mine.

Here is 250 steps:
View attachment 300223 View attachment 300224

 

[JCtx]

It's the opposite that is the problem

Indeed... BUT, that's only for 781s. Read that it reportedly works for 981s, so one of you guys give it a try on a downpour, and confirm if manual works. Wipers should NOT engage at all in manual.

Got my X431 yesterday, and had a hell of a time to get my car recognized. Nothing worked, and the instructions in both manual and Ken's file don't apply anymore. The latest version changed. But figured a way to force the system to download a 'special' firmware update (even though the system said '0' updates available), and finally the unit recognized my '25... AND AUTOMATICALLY! So awesome. But sweated like a gallon for hours in the garage. Ha ha.

Anyway, started with the N in gear window, but didn't find what others posted. This is what I found, but gear doesn't show in ignition only, so will have to check if it works when I use the car maybe tomorrow. Just want to make sure it was the correct coding:

IC: Further codings - Further codings byte 20--N Display. It was 'no', and I changed it to 'yes'. Hopefully it's correct.

Moving on. Haven't checked the spoiler values yet, but raised it, and below are the pictures. How does it look compared to 981s? Does it look about the same? By the way, just noticed that stupid Porsche left the part under the spoiler unpainted on 781s. Geez. I was thinking of maybe raising it a little when down (base position), but with all that ugly plastic there, will leave it fully down, like it is now. I'm thinking of just lowering the retracting speed to 40, so it's not cycling like crazy, and maybe raising the deployment speed, so maybe 40/120? And leave the height the same? It's probably like that for a reason, no? Will also switch the button to 'last setting', like I think it is on 981s, so if I raise it, it remains raised until I switch it off. Now it goes down with every ignition cycle.

 

[Cayman Ed]

If that is the highest on the 718 stock spoiler height, it's lower & less aggressive angle vs my 981C.

 

[JCtx]

Just checked the height, and it's 235. I think your 981 is 250, right? That'd make sense, since it'd be tilted a bit more. I'll leave it like it is, since I don't want to increase drag by either raising the deployment speed, or making it less or more aggressive (supposedly not deployed could cause drag at higher speeds). I assume Porsche did some testing to come up with those values, but who knows. Will probably just lower the retract value from 80 to 40 (40/120), so it doesn't cycle as much. And already made the console button remember the last setting (like 981s), so it should stay raised permanently now, until I turn that off. Might raise it manually on trips, then retract at the end of the day. It looks ugly raised on my car, due to having all freaking plastic under there. So unless traveling, it should stay down most of the time.

I'm in the process of doing the coding. Have 7 down, and about 12 to go. Will continue tomorrow.

 

[JCtx]

Hey guys, any idea how to make Park Assist (PA) default to OFF? Man, it's super annoying it beeps and pops up even in N, but it's also annoying having to turn it off every drive. I'll set the low volume to '0' tomorrow, to at least not hear that, but the best solution would be to default to OFF (or that it remembers its last setting), like most other vehicles. I'd only turn it on when needed.
Another annoyance is that when you roll back even a little, the stupid rear PA comes on. Is it possible to code that out? It'd be awesome too. Thank you.

 

[Cayman Ed]

@JCtx The stock 981 spoiler max height is 360 steps. I want less and our fellow forum member @Natural1 suggested 250 steps and that is where I ended.

 

[JCtx]

So 360 stock? I don't remember my ex-981 CGTS being that different from mine, but maybe I remember wrong. That value on a 718 looks almost like an air brake (the absolute max -without binding- is 390, reportedly). But thank you for the heads up. I'll leave mine at 235, and activating at stock speed too. Will just lower the retracting speed to 40, to prevent the spoiler cycling too much. At slower speeds it makes no functional difference if it's up or down IMO.

 

[Cayman Ed]

235 to 250 steps seem to be the perfect height for 981 or 718 Cayman. The stock 360 is too aggressive looking for me.
I kept the 120 KPH speed deployment stock and 80 KPH stock down position.