Boxster Rear Speaker Kit - Not Working, Help!

[mrkwats]

I've just took delivery of a rear speaker upgrade kit (from PNP - Harvey Peck). Today, I thought I would test them 'loose' by simply doing the simple connection procedure to my existing amplifier. (I have a UK Boxster S 2003 with the Porsche Sound Upgrade (PSP) package, which comprises the CDR-23 head unit, a digital Becker amp under the bonnet and the dashboard mount and side door speakers).

I have followed the instructions to the letter very carefully, and cannot get the speakers to work! Indeed, I now have no sound output to my existing dash mount speakers, but only some fumbled base to the base speakers in the doors!

Can you please help!?

Please let me elaborate on what I have done.

1. Raise bonnet and disconnect amplifier (remove plug housing and small fibre optic connector).

2. Insert speaker adaptor wire terminals (Green to #4, its black to 13, and Red to 12 and its black to 3, as per your Figure 28) to existing adaptor plug housing. My picture attached (AmpAdaptorConns.JPG).

3. Connect speaker wires to brown plug (as per Fig 26), matching green, red and black wires with the adaptor socket it connects to. (See attached picture - BrownPlugConnected.JPG).

4. Finally, connect white speakers connector (see attached picture - SpeakersPlugConnector.jpg).

5. Turn radio on. Only muffled/base sound output to door speakers, despite checking and adjusting sound options (balance, fader, loud, dyn etc).

Some points to note:

1. I did not disconnect the battery, although the ignition key was removed. (I was extremely careful not to touch any connectors on the amp plug housing).

2. I have not touched the CDR-23 radio head unit (nor connected anything to it) during the whole procedure.

3. Do I need to reset the radio or amp, so that its picks up its new speaker config?

4. Without the speakers attached, but with the adaptor wire terminals still inserted into the amp plug housing (as they are difficut to remove), I still have only muffled sound to my door speakers, so I'm really worried I've broken my system and cannot get back to square 1!!!!

5. Has something fused somewhere (e.g. fuse which powers dash speakers...)

6. Are your instructions valid for my config? Your instructions are for an M490 amplifier (I assume I have this), but you also mention separate instructions for connection to a 996 - 6 channel amp, as pin connections at the amp are different.

Please, please help!

[mrkwats]

Reading PNP's (Harvey Peck) instructions for connecting to the amp, I followed the M490 amplifier instructions for plugging-in wire terminals - Green to #4, its black to #13, and Red to #12 and its black to #3, as per Figure 28) to existing adaptor plug housing. There is, however, a section stating that a 996 - 6 channel amp has different pin connections!

I'm not sure what amp I have, I remember it saying Becker on the back, and because it's a UK 2003 model, suspect it might be a 6 channel amp.

All that said, with only the four new rear speaker wires the now connected to the amp, with nothing connected to them, why do I no longer have sound to the dash speakers :(

[Nick_USA]

When you did the speaker test, you did reconnect the fiber optic cable?

[mrkwats]

Yes, absolutely. I checked (and re-checked) that all connections were sound. My next step is to disconnect the battery to see if that "resets" the head unit/amp, you never know! I'm slightly concerned about disconnecting the battery, wondering whether the alarm might go off or other untoward tghings with computers etc when I reconnect!

Don't think it's a fuse, as the radio comes on, the CDC4 changer works, but I only get low base output to the door speakers, and not the dashmount ones!

When you did the speaker test, you did reconnect the fiber optic cable?

[Nick_USA]

Yes, absolutely. I checked (and re-checked) that all connections were sound. My next step is to disconnect the battery to see if that "resets" the head unit/amp, you never know! I'm slightly concerned about disconnecting the battery, wondering whether the alarm might go off or other untoward tghings with computers etc when I reconnect!

Don't think it's a fuse, as the radio comes on, the CDC4 changer works, but I only get low base output to the door speakers, and not the dashmount ones!

When you did the speaker test, you did reconnect the fiber optic cable?

Yes, disconnecting and reconnecting has been known to work.

[mrkwats]

When disconnecting the battery (negative terminal) , I've been told that you leave the ignition on (all dashboard lights, trip computer on etc), obviously without the car actually running! Is this correct, does anyone have any advice here?

[Nick_USA]

When disconnecting the battery (negative terminal) , I've been told that you leave the ignition on (all dashboard lights, trip computer on etc), obviously without the car actually running! Is this correct, does anyone have any advice here?

I have never done this. In all the times I have had the battery out, I have always had the ignition off.

[mrkwats]

Called my local Porsche dealer today, and they said turn-on ignition, leave for 20 seconds, then disconnect battery negative terminal. (Battery can be reconnected without ignition on afterwards).

[goldengun]

Called my local Porsche dealer today, and they said turn-on ignition, leave for 20 seconds, then disconnect battery negative terminal. (Battery can be reconnected without ignition on afterwards).

Hi - did you have any luck getting it to work ? I'm interested in adding the rear speaker kit to my boxster (which also has the PSP upgrade).... Would appreciate any update on how the install goes as i'll be doing the same (hopefully!)

where did you order the kit from ?

btw - ignition must be on when you disconnect the battery - else the alarm will go off and you don't want that happening! i recently changed my battery so had to do the same.

Edited December 1, 2007 by goldengun

[mrkwats]

Just disconnected battery (with ignition on), and took opportunity to check all fuses (1 in CDR23 head unit itself, 2 inline fuses feeding head unit, 2 radio/sound package fuses in main fuse area), and all fine. Checked and re-checked all connections too and wires themselves for anything obvious. (I even opened-up amp to check for a fuse in there, and also for any signs of damage!)

Reconnected battery (after for being off for about 30 mins), and still have same problem! No sound to dash speakers!!! Next step is audio electrical specialist or maybe Porsche dealer. I'm thinking problem could be wiring (maybe optical cable) or the amp itself. You never know, Porsche might just need to reset head unit or something...

Does the amp actually power the base door speakers (as I get sound from these, although a little muffled, but I guess this is the nature of base frequency).

I got the rear speaker kit from PNP (Harvey Peck) via eBay.

[Tool Pants]

UK cars have an additional alarm siren that we do not have in the US. This siren has a built in battery. If you disconnect the car battery then the siren goes off. So on a UK car they first turn on the ignition and then disconnect the car battery to keep the alarm siren from blaring. This procedure is not applicable on a US car.

I do not know why the speakers are not working. When a 2003-2004 owner installs a rear speaker kit and it does not work it usually turns out that they hooked up the 4 speaker wires to the back of the radio head, rather to the amp. But you hooked up your wires to the amp.

You might ask Harvey Peck if you have not already done so.

[StanNelson]

UK cars have an additional alarm siren that we do not have in the US. This siren has a built in battery. If you disconnect the car battery then the siren goes off. So on a UK car they first turn on the ignition and then disconnect the car battery to keep the alarm siren from blaring. This procedure is not applicable on a US car.

I do not know why the speakers are not working. When a 2003-2004 owner installs a rear speaker kit and it does not work it usually turns out that they hooked up the 4 speaker wires to the back of the radio head, rather to the amp. But you hooked up your wires to the amp.

You might ask Harvey Peck if you have not already done so.

I also have a 2003 with CDR-23 but I don't think I have an amp. If I do, I don't know where it is. Any help!

[juniinc]

Only thing I can think of is what mrkwats mentioned here"6 channel amp has diff pin connections"

I',m wondering if u 've removed the plug- in wire terminal but system is still not working? B1~B8 should be speaker level output as well as input for ur digital becker. I would meter those wires first if u r getting a proper signal then head unit should be fine. Then next step would be metering output wires from Becker amplifier. make sure to play with ur settings-fader,balance,loud on,GAL off

Reading PNP's (Harvey Peck) instructions for connecting to the amp, I followed the M490 amplifier instructions for plugging-in wire terminals - Green to #4, its black to #13, and Red to #12 and its black to #3, as per Figure 28) to existing adaptor plug housing. There is, however, a section stating that a 996 - 6 channel amp has different pin connections!

I'm not sure what amp I have, I remember it saying Becker on the back, and because it's a UK 2003 model, suspect it might be a 6 channel amp.

All that said, with only the four new rear speaker wires the now connected to the amp, with nothing connected to them, why do I no longer have sound to the dash speakers :(

Edited December 1, 2007 by juniinc

[mrkwats]

The thing that perplexes me the most, is that everything (config-wise) is back to stock (how it was pre-rear speaker hook-up). The exception being the four new speaker wire terminals now fixed into the back of the amplifier plug housing (pins 3, 4, 12 and 13 as specd in PNP's instructions). But these speaker wires have nothing connected to them, are not crossed-over etc, and are going absolutely nowhere! If I could remove them easily I would, but with them being snap-in molex connectors they're not easy to remove from the amp housing plug!

But could the very presence of these wires into these terminals be my problem!? (Especially, if the UK pinout is different, and the pins I've connected to are inputs, but again there's nothing connected to them!?)

(The amplifier is located under the bonnet, or front trunk as it's referred to State-side, right of the battery/centre). (Not all CDR23s come equipped with the digital amp, as its an option - code M490 or M680).

[mrkwats]

I've contacted Harvey Peck (PNP) and he tells me that everything I have done is right. I'd still like to have confirmation that amplifier pins 3,4,12 and 13 are indeed correct. So, are there any UK Boxster owners out there (with CDR23 and Becker 6880 Digital amp) who have successfully connected rear speakers to the amp?

[mrkwats]

If it's of any use, here's my Becker amplifier details:

Type: DSP-Amplifier, Model No: BE 6600, Porsche PartNo: 996.645.331.03

[amaroocars]

I recently fitted a PNP kit to my 2004 Boxster and all worked well although took a different route for the cables into the amplifier under the bonnet. BUT.... before I fitted the kit I had a problem with the amp as it would only work on one channel and no fade ( I have the same set up as you CDR23- Optic cable to upgrade etc. ) I got a new amp from my dealer due to low mileage and some discussion about what caused it. Apparently the amps are susceptible to damage if you continuously unplug battery/ flick on chargers/etc, due to spiking from the power cable. So is your amp working perfectly as standard and do you have fader function?

You appear to have all the wiring ok but one thing check ohmage of the speakers in case you have a short under the speaker box as the connection can touch the speaker case and also cables can be insulation cut while pulling them through.

Cheers

[mrkwats]

I've just got back from my Porsche dealer, and after spending 2 hrs labour (costing me £189) they have confirmed it is the amp. (They took one out of another car, and also put my defective one in the other car. The results were conclusive). I've had to order a new amp at £300!!!!!

[juniinc]

WOW,,,$$$. I knew it !

Good luck with it

I've just got back from my Porsche dealer, and after spending 2 hrs labour (costing me £189) they have confirmed it is the amp. (They took one out of another car, and also put my defective one in the other car. The results were conclusive). I've had to order a new amp at £300!!!!!

Edited December 5, 2007 by juniinc

[amaroocars]

As mentioned the amps are susceptible to spiking. You know they used to tell us to take tops off batteries when charging them with something like a 10 amp charger and yet we never stopped while driving along to take the tops off with a 75amp engine alternator . Well same old wife tale with taking battery leads off all the time. If you make sure the stereo is switched off and unplug the amp wiring and speaker plug you cannot fail anything as long as you dont turn the unit on and crank up the volume.

Glad you found it and happy listening as its a good mod for the boxster

David

[amaroocars]

mrkwats,

If you havent got a new amp yet, while my dealer replaced mine at his cost due to they had charged it and played with battery while in storage, I know that they are 1/2 Australian dealer price in USA. Check this site and Pelican if you need to buy one.

Cheers

[mrkwats]

Cheers mate, but ordered and already on it's way!

mrkwats,

If you havent got a new amp yet, while my dealer replaced mine at his cost due to they had charged it and played with battery while in storage, I know that they are 1/2 Australian dealer price in USA. Check this site and Pelican if you need to buy one.

Cheers

[goldengun]

mrkwats, how did you get on ? All working now ?

Question for anyone else - are there any 3rd party amplifiers that can be used instead ? Or does the MOST connection mean you're restricted to the porsche/becker unit ?

Thanks

[juniinc]

Since most becker amplifier uses a speaker level input(poor quality). U'll have to get a RCA conversion adapter to convert to a pre - amp level.

she'll sound so much better,,,

mrkwats, how did you get on ? All working now ?

Question for anyone else - are there any 3rd party amplifiers that can be used instead ? Or does the MOST connection mean you're restricted to the porsche/becker unit ?

Thanks

Edited December 16, 2007 by juniinc

[mrkwats]

Got my new amp yesterday, which cost me a lot less (£200 total) as the dealer took my "blown" amp in part exchange, which knocked £130 off the new price.

Plugged new amp in (with keys out of ignition and radio off) and all works fine!!!!! So now to re-attempt Harvey's PNP Rear Speaker upgrade! (I plan to very carefully, with keys out of ignition and radio off, feed the speaker wires into the appropriate terminals at the back of the amp adaptor plug housing, and then give that a try to see if I actually get output to the new rear speakers. This way I am not unplugging amp and committing to fitting the molex connectors into the amp plug housing before I know the system will work. Plus I'm not disconnecting/re-connecting power to the surge-susceptible amp itself!)

On another note, now that my sound system is restored, if I fade sound to the rear, the front speakers go silent (OK), and the fade function doesn't seem to affect the base door speakers (OK I think). My question is, though, even with the volume turned up to say 20 (which is loud for me), the base output from the door speakers is just audible. (This is the case always, regardless of fader settings). The front speaker volume is fine, loud and clear from the fronts. So do I have a problem with the base door speakers, or are they inherently quiet?

Any comments/advice would be appreciated.