HGGuate

US Spec cars come equipped with yellow or amber side indicators. Many Porsche enthusiasts prefer the Euro Spec clear or smoked side markers. Although these markers are clear, white side indicators will not pass inspection in the US, so manufacturers include yellow bulbs in the kit so you may keep your car to spec. Clear side markers can be sourced through specialized Porsche parts dealers like Pelican Parts or other internet sources for about $ 23 each. This DIY upgrade is very simple, literally a 10 minute job. You will need a pair of needle nosed pliers and a few towels to protect the work area on your wheel wells from unexpected scratches while you work. Starting the job, clean dust from area with a wet towel Apply outward pressure to the plastic side marker to release the factory marker from its holding position Once the clip has cleared its holding bay, pull the factory marker backwards to release the clips closest to the front of the car Place a towel between the factory marker and the car to avoid scratches and using needle nosed pliers remove the Clip that holds the Bulb to the electrical wiring before removing the wiring from the bulb. Turn the bulb ¼ turn counter clockwise to remove from the side marker. Select the bulb you wish to place in the side marker, push into the electrical housing, and replace the holding clip before inserting the bulb into the marker and turning ¼ turn clockwise to affix into the side marker. Insert the front clips into their slits closest to the front of the car, guide the wiring into its hold in the wheel well and press the back of the side marker as far in as possible to its location. Use a rounded tool to press forward on the holding clips of the new side markers. Push them as far forward as possible before pressing the side markers into their socket.

After searching around the forums for detailed instructions and feedback on how to get MP3 player connectivity through my Becker CR-210 head unit and not finding exactly what I needed, I decided to take a chance and try my luck on a cheap solution to the problem. About $ 20 plus my time. The compatibility of the plug I purchased clearly stated it would work with the CR/CDR 220, but had no mention of the 210 unit. Although I could not find any information about this on the forums or the web, my belief was that Becker would not have changed basic engineering of their audio connectivity between one unit and the next generation, and I was willing to invest my time and effort to find out. This guide will only work for head units with the CD-Changer installed. Although the engineering of the plugs is correct, the Becker Head Unit has to believe the audio is coming from the CD Changer to play the MP3 Source (you will have to leave a CD permanently in the CD Changer.) You will lose the use of your CD Changer, but cannot remove it from the vehicle as the changer must be installed for the modification to work on a CR-210. I have laid out the steps with a lot of detail to aid those with little confidence on their mechanical skills. I would think that anybody with the slightest mechanical inclination can perform the modification with no problems at all. Likewise, if you don't have the time, this guide will help your local car stereo shop who should perform the modification in less than a "billable hour." This solution is not an "IPOD integration". The head unit will amplify whatever is playing on the sound source you connect through your speakers with great sound quality; however, you will have to charge your MP3 player by other means and the head unit will not have control over the player. Preparation and Tools required The area behind the stereo and the inside of many of the parts you will be removing are dirty and covered by grease, adhesive or dust, I recommend you have Handy Wipes and Towels available and clean your hands often, so you don't leave marks on the trim and leather pieces you will be handling. I would also recommend you assign at least two hours of daylight time to finish your job, as a lot of the work will be done under the dash and good lighting really helps to do it well and quickly. - Torx head and standard screwdrivers - Power drill with a ½ inch bit or Rotary Tool with drilling and sanding bits - Hobby Knife Specialty Items required - Becker type blue 8 pin connector to 3.5 MM Audio Cable adapter ($12.95): Search for "Porsche Aux Adaptor" on Ebay, (seller: ipodmp34capa). This is a simple cable with a 3.5 MM audio jack (headphone jack) - Becker radio removal keys ($3-5 for 4 keys): search for "audi removal tool" or "rrk132" (seller: uneeksupply) I recommend buying two sets (4 keys) as they are relatively fragile. Auctions found searching "Porsche removal tool" consistently came up with twice the price as the Audi search. - Becker stereo security code: a 4 digit security code printed on a "Radio Code Card" that should be with your auto paperwork or manuals. If you don't have the code, you need to obtain it through your Dealer or request it on the forums by posting your VIN and head unit serial number (printed on the side of the unit). This code will be needed to reactivate your stereo after you disconnect the power source. Step by Step Guide Overview: This guide will walk you through the removal of the head unit and trim around it in order to change the wiring (plug and play changes) that connect the head unit to the CD Changer and install the aux cable. It will also show the steps needed remove the central column hardware and modifications needed in order to route the headphone jack to the oddments tray and have a visually clean installation. Power off and remove the key from the car before starting the process. Remove the carpet trim pieces behind the Center Column by pulling outward on the green dots and sliding toward the front of the car Remove the leather trim pieces on the Center Column by pulling outward on the green dots and sliding toward the back of the car. Remove the trim piece that covers the bottom of the Center Column by carefully pulling on the green dots Remove the faceplate of your head unit by pressing a small button on the right side of the faceplate Insert the Removal tools into the head unit and push in until they click (the flat edge of the tools should face outward, the rounded edge inward) Pull the unit straight out of the Center Column. It may need to be jiggled a little to come out. It may be best not to pull the unit all the way out, as you will have to disconnect the cables behind the stereo before taking it out completely and this is easier to do once the following step has been performed. Carefully remove the plastic trim around the Air Conditioning controls Unscrew and pull out the A/C Control unit by unscrewing the two screws marked in green close to the top of the unit Reach into the cavity and unsnap the audio and power connectors from the stereo head unit (left side from the front). Also unhook the antenna connector from the head unit (right side from the front) and slide the stereo unit out of the Center Column. Once you have taken the unit out, remove the Removal Keys from the unit by pressing in on the sides of the head unit and pulling the keys straight out. Remove the Center Column housing by removing 2 Torx screws on each side. The longer screws hold the Center Column housing at the point closest to the front of the car Side view of the Center Column Rear view of the Center Column Remove the Oddments tray and Cassete tray by pressing them from the back. The top unit (cassette holder)should be removed first. Using a hobby knife, cut a square in the rubber mat at the back of the oddments tray and using your Drill or Rotary tool drill the hole through which you will route the audio jack into the car. Be careful as this part of your work will be visible from the car cabin. The ½ inch hole may be too small to get the audio jack through. Use your hobby knife or larger bits if necessary to enlarge the hole as need. Connect the Blue Becker adapter to the back of your Head Unit as illustrated. The Green Becker connector from your car will go next to it where indicated by the green dot on the illustration. Route the cable through the opening where your stereo will be installed, straight back and down so it exits at the middle of your Center Console location where marked by a green dot in the following illustration. Start sliding your Head Unit back into the correct location, taking care to guide all the wiring to places that do not block the metal guides that will hold the unit once it is back in place. Reconnect the Black, Brown and Green audio connectors (the original blue connector from the CD-Changer will not be reconnected). Power up the vehicle and turn on your stereo, you will be prompted for the 4 digit security code. Once you have entered it with the numeric selector keys, press up on the right hand side selector and the unit should begin to operate normally. Place a CD in one of the CD Changer locations and connect your MP3 player to the audio jack. Select CD from your source and press play on the MP3 Player. The head unit should play your MP3 audio source, but the LED display will indicate it is playing a CD. Push the unit in until it clicks into place, if you feel you are pressing too hard, check the back of the unit to see if the wiring harnesses are not blocking the insertion of the head unit. The Aux cable should be routed through the back to where the Center Column housing will be installed. Begin reassembly and route your Aux cable to the oddments tray before reinstalling the carpet trim pieces at the back of the Center Column. Happy Driving with all your tunes.