Can OBC be added after the fact?

[LVDell]

Have a 2000 C2 CAB and the wife really wants the OBC b/c of the temp and fuel remaining functionality. Is this something that can be added if not purchased as an option when we bought the car?

[Tool Pants]

In the past few years I have done over 30 trip computer retrofits. With the stalk or with the switch. I can be done on any US car. You can have the outside temp display turned on on your year without the retrofit, but that is the only display you will see unless you do the retrofit. Jeff

[ninerguru]

Yes it can. I ound this article at the PCA web site describing how to do it... http://www.pca.org/tech/tech_qa_question.a...8-B11ED1BB7E99}

You must be registered as a member in order to access it. Lou

[LVDell]

Thanks TP! What is the differnece b/t the stalk and the switch. I had no idea there was another option besides the stalk.

[Tool Pants]

That link is to Peter's original instructions. Peter is the shop foreman at my local dealer and the technical technical advisor to our local Porsche group. Peter gave me the instructions and an already made wiring harness several years ago and showed me how to do it. That is how I learned. He has updated the instructions to include the new style cluster that started in 2001 on the Boxster and in 2002 on the 996.

You can do it with 1 or 2 switches. If you do it with 1 switch then you do not get the speed warning gong. I suggest to do it with the stalk since then it is like factory, but some people with long legs want to do it with a switch. We show how to do it both ways on the DVD. Jeff

[LVDell]

So the dealer has to "turn on" the OBC after my install? Or can I have them "turn on" the funcionality without the install performed yet and have it "waiting" for me when I do the install?

[Tool Pants]

You got cheated if you cannot see the outside temp display below the digital speedometer display. Dealers were turning on the trip computer 7 years ago for the Boxster when the customer picked up the car.

When I do a trip computer retrofit I want it turned on before we do the work. That way I know if everything is hooked up properly before we put all the parts back together. But, you can do the retrofit and then have it turned on later.

What is the problem with having it turned on now? You will at least see the outside temp display. Then you can do the retrofit later if you want to see the other displays.

[LVDell]

Cheated? Of course I did, as well as everybody else here in Vegas. We have the absolute worst dealership. Customer service is in the toilet here. As you can tell, I am not happy with my dealer, but they owe me big anyway. I am heading to the dealer in the morning to have it turned on. Thanks TP.

[LVDell]

By the way, has anybody done the OBC switch install v. 4 stalk? Is there a difference? I would think installing a toggle swith would be easier, cheaper, and still look factory without having to remove the wheel. Thanks again for all your input and experience!

[Tool Pants]

With a single switch you can only cycle in one direction and the speed gong (no one uses the speed thing) will not work.

You can get the 4 stalk assembly for $150 if you shop around. The wires and connector about $15. Takes 5 minutes to remove the steering wheel and air bag. Takes about 1 hour to do the entire retrofit with the stalk. Buy your parts and come to San Jose and I will put them in for you.

[chicagobob]

So if you can see the temperature under teh digital speedo then the OBC is on, right? Where is a good place to pick up the stalk? One final question. When you say 4 stalk, is one stalk for the OBC and the other three for the signals, cruise control and wipers respectively or are the four simply for the OBC. If I have to deal with 7 stalks Im going with the button. BTW, Im a new member in this forum and this is great.

Thanks

Chicagobob

[Tool Pants]

It is confusing since many years ago someone said you 'added a stalk.' You could in fact add a stalk on a 993 for the trip computer.

All current cars have at least a 2 stalk switch assembly. Turn signals and wipers. With the cruise conrol option you have a 3rd stalk. If you also have the OBC option then you have a 4th stalk.

Look at your owners manual and you will see that you can move the trip computer stalk in different directions to select different functions. Just like you can do with the wiper stalk.

About $150 is the going price for a switch assembly that has 4 stalks. Jeff