PCM Screen Gone Dark

[fgaston]

Hi:

I have an '01 996 C4 Cab with PCM. I played with the dark button last night (wish I hadn't) and at the time it functioned properly, but today the screen is black, as though dark stuck on. Does anybody have any suggestions (PCM reset?) Radio still works so I'm afraid if I disconnect battery or pull fuse I'll be faced with radio code on dead screen. Can PCM's be repaired, or is the thinking that Porsche dealer will just want to replace the head unit for $2G? Obviously then I'd go to Pioneer or Kenwood, but can't get sense on pre-02 cars whether the installation is relatively simple (no cutting wires, etc.). Thanks in advance, Fred

[JeTexas]

Hi:

I have an '01 996 C4 Cab with PCM. I played with the dark button last night (wish I hadn't) and at the time it functioned properly, but today the screen is black, as though dark stuck on. Does anybody have any suggestions (PCM reset?) Radio still works so I'm afraid if I disconnect battery or pull fuse I'll be faced with radio code on dead screen. Can PCM's be repaired, or is the thinking that Porsche dealer will just want to replace the head unit for $2G? Obviously then I'd go to Pioneer or Kenwood, but can't get sense on pre-02 cars whether the installation is relatively simple (no cutting wires, etc.). Thanks in advance, Fred

This is from a Cayenne manual, which makes it sound like pretty much any button you hit would turn it back on. The program could just be stuck though and needs to basically reboot to work correctly, which would entail disconnecting the battery. Guess you have to decide if it's worth the risk. I wouldn't want to spend $1k on a new system though if my screen was actually still good.

Edited July 10, 2008 by JeTexas

[fgaston]

Hi:

I have an '01 996 C4 Cab with PCM. I played with the dark button last night (wish I hadn't) and at the time it functioned properly, but today the screen is black, as though dark stuck on. Does anybody have any suggestions (PCM reset?) Radio still works so I'm afraid if I disconnect battery or pull fuse I'll be faced with radio code on dead screen. Can PCM's be repaired, or is the thinking that Porsche dealer will just want to replace the head unit for $2G? Obviously then I'd go to Pioneer or Kenwood, but can't get sense on pre-02 cars whether the installation is relatively simple (no cutting wires, etc.). Thanks in advance, Fred

This is from a Cayenne manual, which makes it sound like pretty much any button you hit would turn it back on. The program could just be stuck though and needs to basically reboot to work correctly, which would entail disconnecting the battery. Guess you have to decide if it's worth the risk. I wouldn't want to spend $1k on a new system though if my screen was actually still good.

______________________

Thanks JeTexas. When the car was in the shade, I discovered the display is actually just really dim, as though no backlighting at all. I was able to navigate to screen settings to force daylight setting, but it didn't help. Agree shouldn't blow $1G until know if a reboot or adjustment might fix, so I'll probably visit dealer. Regards, Fred