4-Stalk for 2-stalk replacement on '03 Boxster S

[5littleones]

Newbie here ... just got a 2003 Boxster S (love the car by the way) and it did not come with either the OBC or the Cruise control. Both of which, especially the cruise control are highly desirable. I've searched the forums and have come to realize that a 4-stalk replacement might be available. With that I believe I can ask one of the Porsche mechanics to enable the OBC ... but the main question I have here is about the cruise control. What other hardware is required besides the 4-stalk replacement??

Lastly, can anyone recommend a place (online or otherwise) to obtain the 4-stalk unit at a good price. I live in the SF Bay Area. Would appreciate any help anyone may offer. Thanks a bunch!

Chris

[Richard Hamilton]

Theres a very long thread on cruise retrofit in the 986 DIY section. For a 2003, I suggest you start reading it from here: http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...ost&p=43243

[Tool Pants]

We did the OBC retrofit on Alberto's car a few months ago. He bought the 4 stalk steering column switch assembly from Sunset Imports for around $158.

I know how to turn on the OBC. Guess I could figure out how to turn on the cruise control.

[5littleones]

We did the OBC retrofit on Alberto's car a few months ago. He bought the 4 stalk steering column switch assembly from Sunset Imports for around $158.

I know how to turn on the OBC. Guess I could figure out how to turn on the cruise control.

Thanks for all the replies ... the I've read some of the other posts and seem to have determined that this can be done. But one question I have is that the cruise control should require an actuator of some kind. How do I know if that's included in my car ... or is the actuator included in all of the Boxsters and all that's required is the stalk and the computer enabled??

[Richard Hamilton]

The cruse control circuit is built into the instrument cluster (in your case). It controls the throttle electronically in combination with the DME (ECU). The controls are all there - you just need to wire up the stalk, and have the systems activated with the PST2.

[Tool Pants]

1997-1999 have a cable operated throttle. These cars do have an actuator for the cruise control above and connected to the gas pedal.

E-gas came out in 2000 and the cable operated throttle and actuator went away.

For a 2003 the cruise control retrofit looks simple according to Richard's instructions. The cruise control stalk connector has 4 wires. You run 3 wires from this connector to the instrument cluster connector. The 4th wire is run to fues B7 to get 12 volts. The B7 fuse is for the brake lights and cruise control (on a car that has cruise control). So it makes sense to get power from this fuse. Then with a PST2/PIWIS you reprogram the instrument cluster and DME to tell the car that it now has cruise control.

[5littleones]

1997-1999 have a cable operated throttle. These cars do have an actuator for the cruise control above and connected to the gas pedal.

E-gas came out in 2000 and the cable operated throttle and actuator went away.

For a 2003 the cruise control retrofit looks simple according to Richard's instructions. The cruise control stalk connector has 4 wires. You run 3 wires from this connector to the instrument cluster connector. The 4th wire is run to fues B7 to get 12 volts. The B7 fuse is for the brake lights and cruise control (on a car that has cruise control). So it makes sense to get power from this fuse. Then with a PST2/PIWIS you reprogram the instrument cluster and DME to tell the car that it now has cruise control.

This is GREAT news!! :clapping: I've put in a thousand miles on the car this weekend :o and I'll tell you what, I really missed the cruise control!! :)

I'll get the 4-stalk on order right away. Please correct if I'm wrong. The parts I need to order are as follows:

• 996-613-219-10-ewc - Stalk
  
• 999-652-972-40 - 2/ea connectors
  
• 999-652-973-40 - one/ea
  
• 11 wire connector ends, you solder them on other wires .24
  

But my question here is the following:

• What is the part number for the cap for the cruise control
  
• What is the part number for the cap for the OBC
  
• What the heck are "wire connector ends" ... is there a part number out there for this?
  
• What wires do we need ... is there a recommended part number??
  

So, if I summarize the install instructions for 2003 Boxster S for the 4-column stalk are as follows:

Cruise:

• Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 17 - Stalk Connector Pin 1
  
• Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 4 - Stalk Connector Pin 3
  
• Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 1 - Stalk Connector Pin 4
  
• Fuse B7 - Stalk Connector Pin 2
  

OBC:

• Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 23 - Stalk Connector Pin 2
  
• Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 22 - Stalk Connector Pin 3
  
• Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 21 - Stalk Connector Pin 4
  
• Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 24 - Stalk Connector Pin 5
  
• Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 25 - Stalk Connector Pin 6
  
• Earth (ground) - Stalk Connector Pin 1
  

Did I missed anything?? Wow, this is such a great site with so many helpful people. THANK YOU ALL for all your support and helpful information!!

Edited November 26, 2007 by 5littleones

[Richard Hamilton]

Don't buy the wire and terminals separately. Buy 8 VW 000.979.009 Repair wires, as they are the correct length, and have the terminals already crimped on. You will not need the wire to OBC Stalk Connector 6. Although it is shown on the wiring diagram, it doesn't appear to do anything. I will PM you with a simple wiring diagram to make it easier. The 4 way stalks I have bought have come with the OBC cap. You can take the Wiper and Turn Signal caps off your old stalk and reuse them on the new one. You should only need the cruise cap, part number 996.613.505.10.A05

[Tool Pants]

I think this is a good list for a 2003 OBC/cruise control retrofit.

As Richard said the 4 stalk unit does not come with a cap for the cruise control stalk. So you need the part he gave number 996.613.505.10.A05.

You have the correct part number for the 4 stalk steering column switch assembly.

The male OBC connector is current Porsche part number 999.650.513.40. The cruise control connector is 999.652.972.40 and the cover for this connector is 999.652.973.40. These connectors use to cost just a few dollars from Porsche, then with all the retrofits being done Porsche jacked up the price. You can buy these connectors for less from BMW and/or Mercedes if you want to shop around.

Technically you need 9 of the VW wires. But I cheat and cut one of the wires in half, so you can get by with 8. I guess Richard does the same.....

If you look at your 2 stalks they poke through a rubber gasket with a square hole. With a 4 stalk unit you need 2 more holes. You can buy the gasket with 2 holes. But we usually just cut open the unused hole.

Plug C (Grey) on the Instrument Cluster Pin 25 - OBC Stalk Connector Pin 6 is still a mystery. The stalk only has 5 wires but the wiring diagram for a dot matrix cluster shows it as having 6.