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I'll replicate what you did and let you know if I have the same problem -- if the CEL comes on my '04 Cayenne S. Was the vehicle warm from earlier use? Also, what's the ambient air temperature where you did this (wash and started)?

RFM is the man. He's amazing. His help should convince you to join Renntech as a contributing member. It's the best money you'll ever spend on your Porsche.

Also use a CTEK or Porsche (which is a CTEK) charger/conditioner -- it cycles the battery in a few specific phases and takes over 14 hours to condition/charge your battery and you should be set if your battery is OK and does not need to be replaced. I run the sequence once a month year round. Also, Loren's note is key -- in your case, deal with the battery directly, off the vehicle's grid. Flip the driver's seat up and you're set to access the battery. The 2004 Cayenne owner's manual has directions on how to access the battery. You can download the manual here on Renntech.

If you know anyone in the US Military based in DE that is the ticket. They can ship to the US direct. Separate all the plastic parts from metal and ship in two boxes. Note the items as "used automotive accessories." The bumper box will be huge -- like the size of a bathtub but relatively light weight. Used is indeed the best way to go but the shipping, VAT, customs and hassle from the EU may not be worth it. Search craigslsit.org across all US cities and you may find what you want domestically. Otherwise buy new from Sunset Imports -- Renntech gets a solid discount. My mil contacts are no longer in the EU. Sorry I can't help more.

For the cost of the 60k service in Northern California it ranges from $900 to $1300. I called every local Porsche dealer and asked for pricing to get a baseline. I went to the dealer I bought my Cayenne ('04 S) because it was a CPO and they have taken great care of me. Plus, it's the closest dealer to me. I did not haggle with them -- for $200 it was not worth the hassle to annoy them. But, I mentioned I called around out of curiosity and they did work with me. You can find 20%-off Porsche part coupons for dealerships. That makes a difference with the spark plugs and other parts, but it's still more than Sunset Imports if you DIY. Since I'm still under CPO, while they were doing the service they'd fix any warranty issues they locate, this is what tipped me to using the dealer vs. independent mechanic or doing it myself -- and if I did it myself it would have taken a full day and I may have broken something. That said, do not pay for the pollen (interior) air filter replacement. It's a $30 part and a ten minute job. Really. If you become a contributing member here on Renntech (do it, money well spent) you can download the service spec sheets. Some dealers do more than others -- flush brake fluid, etc. You can do it all yourself as well -- plugs, oil, visual check. And a lot of posts in Renntech exist about the 60k service -- pros and cons of doing it yourself, dealer or independent mechanic, etc. As to the brakes, I think you have the answer. Even though you drove mostly highway miles enough subjectivity is in play (a year has elapsed) that you don't want to be too angry with the dealer. CPOs are awesome -- it's the best of both worlds. And there is an excellent brake replacement DIY in the forums here as well. And nice vehicle you have -- the Turbo S's are stunning.

Thanks for the update -- glad you're back on the road!

It may be the power shifting around from front to rear axels. An idea: deactivate PSM and determine if the problem remains exactly the same as when PSM is on. I notice (on my '04 Cayenne S) some subtle power transfers accelerating and decelerating under lower RPMs -- it seems odd but it is normal from what I can determine. The S does this with both PSM off and on. A friend has an '04 Cayenne Turbo which I've driven and it exhibits the exact feeling as my S. Also, I have a new driveshaft and eight new coil packs (replaced due to failures) and plugs -- and the issue is still there. Hence my reasoning that it's normal.

Mudman is spot on. It's a normal anti-virus flag driven by an executable application. No viral elements exist. Install and enjoy.

The Porsche liquid tire sealant actually works well. Always keep a fresh bottle in your vehicle -- the bottle lasts for five yeas or so and then you replace. Sunset sells them. Liquid sealant and the electric or on-board air-compressor should be all you need for the vast majority of punctures and flats. Also, I found a Cayenne spare wheel/tire and all the mounting parts (exactly like above photo) on craigslist for $110. Fits like a charm -- 2004 Cayenne S w/subwoofer, no aux battery under subwoofer. The spare is stored not-inflated so you'll still need to inflate the spare with a compressor (before mounting). And it only has enough tread to go 50 miles at low speeds.

Posted a correction before I saw your note -- now I get it, yeah, indeed, what's up with an '08 CTT skipping this feature!? :o Sunset may know if it's retrofit-able.

Hi -- be sure to check your vehicle -- on the '04 Cayenne S a feature exists called, "Automatic Driving Light Assistant." It's page 120 and 121 of the '04 manual. It may not be exactly what you're looking for. A lot of folks prefer the ability to control their lights with no intervention -- but the Automatic Driving Light Assistant is a partial step in the fully auto-on feature you want. You can always leave the headlight switch setting to "auto" and you're at least covered with auto-on in the dark, rain and high speeds (87mph and over). Manual overrides of safety features are, I think, a nice part of the Porsche legacy. Update/correction -- it may be your vehicle did not come with this option. The manual shows with and without Automatic Driving Light Assistant.

I'm a complete novice (read jackass) and spent 45 minutes above and under the Cayenne (2004 S) with mirrors and flashlights trying to find the coolant pipes to determine if they are plastic or retrofitted metal versions. All I accomplished was a dirty face, a sore back and my wife thinking I'm an idiot. A very small video camera with a lens on a remote/narrow attachment with a light may do it. I'll ask a dealer to run my VIN -- what a knucklehead I am not to have thought of that. As usual, thanks Loren.

I don't have any helpful info but if you need to order the part the Sunset Imports team are very cool and may be able to provide the install guidelines/instructions, part location, etc. Or Loren or someone here with expertise may be able to weigh-in. Or become a contributing member and you can download service notes on this issue. I had repeat CEL codes (and I know this is no real help to you because I did not write down the code numbers). It was an O2 sensor-type CEL code. On a whim I replaced the gas cap -- really cheap from Sunset -- and sure enough that fixed the issue. Never had a CEL since. I also have a 2004 S with just under 70,000 miles. The reason I changed the gas cap is I am the primary person who fuels the vehicle and I am certain I tighten the cap to three "clicks" after fueling. Then days later, to loosen the cap, no unscrew "clicks" to release. Happened a few times. I figured a new cap was worth a shot since it was not remaining fully seated to the threads causing potential vacuum issues. And a new cap is not a big expense. I basically lucked-out. Difference from your issue is I did not notice any idle issues, just the pesky CEL light (solid, not blinking) would surface again after clearing.

Keep in mind the headlight washers will only work/activate/function when your headlights are on. Some loose guidelines: avoid use at high speeds; if they become stuck in the up position do not force down by hand; if you live in a cold climate be sure you use anti-freeze wiper fluid (search this site for pics of headlight nozzle lines bursting from freezing temps); try not to use them too much in heavy/driving rain; never in sleet & snow & mud splatter (hardcore off road) unless you are certain they have room to go up and down in/out of the bumper and will not allow build-up of snow/ice/sleet/mud/dirt in the nozzle/rail mechanism while in the up position. In these conditions some folks will quickly turn off headlights, spray the windshield-only, then turn lights back on. Probably not the best idea but an option nonetheless. You cannot manually turn off the headlight washer function while the headlights remain on unless you want to fool around with fuses and set-up a secondary switch somehow. If it's a major problem -- driving in a heavy snowstorm at night -- you can pull over, turn off the headlights, spray and then get going again. Probably an edge-case at best. Also, if your Cayenne is covered in snow be sure the headlight spray nozzles are down/in the retracted position before you clean the front of the vehicle. You could easily snap them off or crack them. I bought a used 2004 S (Certified Pre Owned) and when I first activated the windshield and headlight cleaners (at night, headlights on [of course] going 75/95 mph in the summer, no rain, open freeway) they became stuck in the up position. I noticed them stuck up the next morning before I got into the vehicle. I took to the dealer, they pulled the bumper and lubricated the rails/track. No problem since. Dealer said to active them once in awhile and gave me the above tips. Also told me if I had shoved them back down the CPO coverage may have been a bit of an issue. So far, Sonnen Porsche in Northern California has been great. Also, when you active them them going under 30mph you'll see the spurt of cleaning fluid spray over the light beam. I'm a dork and had someone activate them while the vehicle was in a parking lot idling in neutral so I could observe the headlight operation from outside the vehicle. Enjoy your Cayenne! We've had ours for just under a year and we still love it. My baby (21 months old now) daughter's car-seat is in the middle of the back seat. Cayenne are heavy gas guzzling tanks and I don't really care -- they are safe as hell and their overall performance and handling defy logic and physics. I keep uncovering cool things -- recently replaced the interior air filer (buy parts from Sunset Imports, link on this site) and while my head was in the passenger footwell I found the two auxiliary power plugs -- I could not believe I never saw them there before -- I read the manual cover-to-cover and saw them depicted and looked (twice on different occasions) but never found them. Very embarrassing I missed them. Then, with my head on the floor changing the filter I saw them. They are tucked way up under the dash. The bad news is now I may have to purchase a radar detector because I have a place to plug it in. I am a sucker. Also, the headlight washer is briefly noted on page 125 of the 2004 Cayenne S and Turbo manual. PS: Become a contributing member. It's the best money you'll spend on your Cayenne -- you can download manuals and a lot of reference materials. And no, I do not know Loren or any of the Renntech staff -- just my opinion. That said, Loren and folks are truly great guys.

glad that solved it -- thanks for telling us. i've had similar issues that were tied to setting changes and i was embarrassed because i was sure bigger problems existed. the mirror settings, etc.

Hi -- are you able to share the costs of the service here on Renntech?

The caps on eBay look like they are black and white Porsche crests -- your picture shows your caps are color crests. If you replace one you'll have three color and one black and white. May not be the best look.

A CTEK charger is a good purchase -- use it now and see if it will bring life to your battery, but odds are you need a new battery. And when you install the new battery leave the CTEK in/charging and your settings will be saved. For battery specifics you can search the forums here and a lot of info is available but I have not seen a specific product list -- just dimensions, etc. As to the install -- you can do yourself. The vehicle manual actually has good instructions -- again, search these forums and the tools you need will be listed, etc. If you do not have your manual become a contributing member on Renntech.org (here) and you can download manuals, etc. The charger: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_088US3300/CTE...=CTEK&ssi=0

Run the VIN (WP1AC29PX9LA83146) and confirm the published specs on eBay match the specific vehicle. You can get excellent pricing comps from craigslist and eBay and edmunds.com. Haggle to a price you want then, once you have the final price, tell them you want to make it a CPO to add two additional years on the factory warranty or up to 100k miles -- whichever comes first. Then haggle the CPO fees. You can search to see what the CPO fee may tack on, ~$2k and well worth it if you plan to keep the vehicle for awhile (you should ride out the depreciation but if you sell before 100k miles the CPO helps resale). My CPO covered a new drive shaft and paid for itself -- although with this 2009 you have current factory warranty. If you plan to bring the vehicle to Canada make sure the US warranty will still apply in Canada and is transferable if you sell -- base warranty as well as CPO. Carfax you can do on your own -- you just pay a small fee. More importantly is to have the dealer pull the vehicle service history, what TSB's were completed, etc. Also, difficult to determine from the pics, but confirm this vehicle never had a hitch mounted or was used as a tower -- that may have placed undue stress on the overall vehicle (if the original owner did not know how to properly drive while towing) as well as expose it to saltwater -- backing in and out of boat ramps. If you are near the vehicle or know someone who is ask the dealer if you can run a Durametric scan to see if/how long the engine was held at redline, etc. The dealer should have no problem with you running that test as it's passive. If they do, red flag. Looks like a beautiful vehicle. Enjoy.

This is an excellent write-up. Thank you!

Re, "nobody?" Umm, it is a holiday today in the US... I have a Cayenne S, no turbo (obviously) but I'll ask my brother-in-law later who has the CTT. Try launching in first gear (versus second -- move your shifter left into manual mode) from a dead stop on a slight uphill. With the accelerator floored go to redline -- see what your boost is right up to and immediately after the shift into second. You should see maximum boost reflected on the gauge.

Regarding: "PS: the water temperature on my cayenne Turbo, sometimes goes above "middle"... just 2-3 mm... is this normal ? huh.gif Dealer sais it's ok... Just sometimes, then drops below middle... " Temp-variance is normal. Search the forums and you will find many threads discussing this. Also, become a contributing member and you will be able to download manual and technical service bulletins. Well worth the cost of joining Renntech.

You can purchase a Porsche collapsable spare for some Cayenne's -- it fits over/around the subwoofer. I have a 2004 Cayenne S and found a collapsable spare (18") on Craigslist for $100. It's perfect. The vehicle comes with an electric air compressor or if you have the air suspension you can use a hose from that. It's all detailed in the manual. I've also heard that the Porsche goop that use you to patch a flat actually works well. Importnat note -- be sure you check your brake measurements and make sure a spare wheel will fit over your discs/calipers.

Sounds normal -- roads have more of a crown/camber than you may be aware. Also, Cayenne's have wide tires -- that width makes the crown more pronounced. I too thought I had an issue -- a friend suggested I find a long level and flat surface. I did (a large mall parking lot on Suberbowl Sunday) and at speed (55 - 65mph) no pulling left or right or correcting steering required. From what I've read Cayenne's (or any heavy vehicle) with wide sport wheels and tires are more prone to "drive down the crown" on roads with significant crowns, requiring corrective steering. I have the stock 275/45/19" wheels. Also I've noticed no problem on freeways -- they are not as crowned as rural or suburban two-lane roads.

You should have it -- if it's a factory install it will be in the menus. The manual has all the menus mapped out. Be sure the vechile in not in motion when you are looking through your menus. In-motion disables some functions. Here's the page (this from the '04 Cayenne S and Turbo manual.)