Cruise control

[Richard Hamilton]

Just a quick update - The 2003/2004 OBC and cruise retrofit WORKS as detailed in post #47 above. You DO have to code the cluster and DME to "with cruise control".

[ukchris]

Just a quick update - The 2003/2004 OBC and cruise retrofit WORKS as detailed in post #47 above. You DO have to code the cluster and DME to "with cruise control".

Woo hoo! Great news! One question Richard - does this imply that the only wiring necessary is from the stalk to the cluster?

Thanks again, Chris.

[Richard Hamilton]

You still have to get the power supply from fuse B7 to the stalk, but there are no connections to the DME at all.

[CharlieG]

Excellent, Richard. Thanks for posting again. I ordered my parts last week and will be doing the hack soon.

[Nick_USA]

1. What are the definitive list of parts required to add Cruise and the OBC functionality to a 2004 Boxster S.

2. How difficult is it to remove the steering wheel to add the switch?

[nybob]

Thanks to all for taking the time and effort to post their experiences here. I've gotten a ton of great information from this board.

I just purchased an '03 Boxster and hope to add cruise/OBC. I have the same questions as Nick and some of my own:

Any thoughts on how or if this change will impact the warranty? I have about 1 year of the original warranty + 2years of the CPO warranty to consider.

Does anybody know of a dealership in the NY Metro area who is open to enbabling cruise/obc? It appears that some dealers are not willing to do so.

Lastly, are there any non-dealer Porsche specialists in the tri-state area who might be willing to do the install? I'm mechanically inclined but this looks like a job better left to pros....

thank you and regards

[ukchris]

1. What are the definitive list of parts required to add Cruise and the OBC functionality to a 2004 Boxster S.

2. How difficult is it to remove the steering wheel to add the switch?

1. This is my list so far:

Stalk 996-613-219-10-ewc

2 connectors 999-652-972-40 and 999-652-973-40 (one of each)

11 wire connector ends, you solder them on other wires .24

Right upper cap for without headlight washers 996-613-508-10-a05

Lower one is 996-613-505-10-a05

Right side rubber cap with 2 holes 993-552-573-01-01c

I think I need to add to this the stalk cap for OBC (as I don't currently have the OBC stalk), the rubber gasket/grommet thing for the OBC stalk and the wires for the OBC stalk (I already have OBC wired to the cluster).

2. Removing the wheel

The guides online look non-trivial but not too intimidating, seems that disconnecting the battery is the main thing to make sure the airbag doesn't deploy.

[Nick_USA]

...same follow-up from NY Bob, its hard to find an OPC just across the border in CT, tried a couple and also one in NY state (pepeporsche). So the hold up on starting the project for me is getting a local dealer to do the OBC and Cruise enable first. Anyone from NY or CT state know of a dealer who will do this??

[CharlieG]

I finally started my installation. I delayed it for weeks because I was sort of dreading it, and also because I couldn't find my radio code...which in fact was dumb because I learned the '03+ system doesn't have codes!

Anyway, my car is in pieces right now and I'm pleased that nothing was that tough.

Could someone help me with the power cable? I understand I need to tap fuse B7, but how is this done? Do I need to pull out the whole fuse assembly and splice a wire from behind? I think that's pretty much my only question in this process.

[Richard Hamilton]

Yes, you need to remove the fuse panel and splice a wire onto the back of B7 to provide a 12 volt supply to the stalk.

[CharlieG]

Thanks Richard.

[ukchris]

I finally started my installation. I delayed it for weeks because I was sort of dreading it, and also because I couldn't find my radio code...which in fact was dumb because I learned the '03+ system doesn't have codes!

Anyway, my car is in pieces right now and I'm pleased that nothing was that tough.

Could someone help me with the power cable? I understand I need to tap fuse B7, but how is this done? Do I need to pull out the whole fuse assembly and splice a wire from behind? I think that's pretty much my only question in this process.

Charlie, my stalk assembly just shipped so it should be here soon and I'll be preparing to do this hack. I was wondering if there was any wisdom you might share or things to watch out for. Any references to the guides you found most useful, comments on routing the wires, anything really that would help make the process go more smoothly would be most welcome.

Congratulations on getting it done!

Chris.

[bluboy911]

I finally started my installation. I delayed it for weeks because I was sort of dreading it, and also because I couldn't find my radio code...which in fact was dumb because I learned the '03+ system doesn't have codes!

Anyway, my car is in pieces right now and I'm pleased that nothing was that tough.

Could someone help me with the power cable? I understand I need to tap fuse B7, but how is this done? Do I need to pull out the whole fuse assembly and splice a wire from behind? I think that's pretty much my only question in this process.

Charlie, my stalk assembly just shipped so it should be here soon and I'll be preparing to do this hack. I was wondering if there was any wisdom you might share or things to watch out for. Any references to the guides you found most useful, comments on routing the wires, anything really that would help make the process go more smoothly would be most welcome.

Congratulations on getting it done!

Chris.

I completed my install on a 2003 Boxster S last weekend and it went smoothly just following the instructions as posted. And it works as promised. The hardest part was getting someone to activate the cruise and obc.

Thx everyone. Andy

[CharlieG]

Whew, I just finished up the work! And my car still runs, the airbag didn't go off, and everything looks good.

Now, to find a mechanic or dealer to activate it! Anyone know someone with a hacker-friendly business in the Bay Area? It would be worth it for me to make the trip from Sacramento.

Chris, I can't say I enjoyed the hack, but I did make it through it. (We'll see if it really worked soon!)

I'm not sure you'd have the same problems as me, but here are things that especially annoyed me:

- Removal of the hazard indicator switch

- Finding 22 gauge braided wire

- Connection removal in general

- Solder dripping into the connectors and blocking them off

- Getting to the back of the fuse box was a pain

I could probably write a book on the whole thing, but I'd rather forget it. I [will] have cruise control, finally, that's what important!

Just do it and feel free to ask questions.

[Loren]

I am in Morgan Hill (a little South of San Jose) and I can turn it on for you. Or... if you are not in a hurry I will be in Roseville June 16. Drop me a PM if you are interested in either.

[Richard Hamilton]

- Finding 22 gauge braided wire

- Connection removal in general

- Solder dripping into the connectors and blocking them off

If you buy the VW wires and join them, then you won't have to make any solder joints at the connectors - you will only need to splice and solder the wires together (2003on models) SEE EDIT BELOW. The only other piece of wire you need is to run between the fuse box and cruise stalk as the VW wire isn't long enough. It only carries signal voltage, so size doesn't matter too much.

The trouble with this hack is that most people only do it once, so have to go through the learning curve. The second time is MUCH easier!

EDIT: On 2003-2004 Boxsters there is no need to cut and join the VW repair wires, as the 000.979.009 wires have the correct terminals to fit both the cluster and stalk connectors.

Edited November 24, 2007 by Richard Hamilton

[CharlieG]

The trouble with this hack is that most people only do it once, so have to go through the learning curve. The second time is MUCH easier!

Yes, I can see doing this hack in a couple easy hours now!

Well, since I've done such an "advanced" hack I'd like to go ahead and do a bunch of others now! :)

[CharlieG]

Today I went over to Loren's to enable the computer, and unfortunately it didn't work. Switch continuity check on the computer showed that on/off worked, but was turned "off" when the acceleration contact was activated. Pretty straightforward symptom of crossing my wires, I was thinking.

Tonight I pulled everything apart and verified that the wiring appears correct:

Cluster -->Stalk

17 --> 1

(B7) --> 2

4 -->3

1 -->4

Loren felt that it was strange that the cruise light didn't at least go on, since the on/off was functioning. I pulled apart the cluster and confirmed that my car does have a "bulb" there (actually they are all board-mounted LED's on this '04).

The only thing I can think of is that perhaps my B7 isn't wired correctly? Any other ideas guys?

Thanks,

Charlie

[Richard Hamilton]

Charlie:

It worked fine on two 2003's that I have done with my friend Tony, and also on bluboy911's 2003. There should be an option in the cluster coding for 'with cruise control'. I have seen this option available in all the new type Boxster instrument clusters from 2001 on, although it is only used for cars with DME7.8. Maybe you need to check that an order type is entered in the DME coding, although I have never had to do that. You will definitely need to activate both DME and Cluster for the cruise to work.

If the input values of the switches aren't shown by the PST2, check the wiring. It is easy to get the plug and socket on the stalk connector the wrong way round. It isn't polarised very well. I've seen this happen more than once. Also, check the operation of the clutch switch and brake light switch with the PST2. If the clutch switch has slipped in its mounting bracket the cruise won't engage.

[ukchris]

From what I remember there may be two places in the computer where cruise needs to be activated, I think one in the DME and one in the cluster, were both switched on? Just a thought.

[Loren]

I didn't see anything in the cluster on CharlieG's car. Do you guys know where in the cluster this is? Is it under Coding?

[ukchris]

I didn't see anything in the cluster on CharlieG's car. Do you guys know where in the cluster this is? Is it under Coding?

Do a module search, go to the Instrument Cluster, Coding, scroll down and you should see this:

Chris.

[Loren]

Hmm... I didn't see that and I looked.

Perhaps CharlieG can check his wiring then I will have to have another go at it with the PST2.

[CharlieG]

I wired the connector according to the numbers on the connector, which sound like they are wrong. But I don't see any numbers on the female stalk connector.

Do you happen to remember the colors of the wires on the stalk? Right now I have the following:

C17-->Blue

B7-->Black (this wire is thinner than the others)

C4--Yellow

C1-->Brown

I'm hoping I just need to reverse these, but I'm afraid that the thin black wire is a giveaway that it is indeed the power lead which should go to the B7 as it already does.

If the input values of the switches aren't shown by the PST2, check the wiring. It is easy to get the plug and socket on the stalk connector the wrong way round. It isn't polarised very well. I've seen this happen more than once. Also, check the operation of the clutch switch and brake light switch with the PST2. If the clutch switch has slipped in its mounting bracket the cruise won't engage.

[ukchris]

I have the stalk on my desk and the connector. It looks like:

Pin # - Color - Cluster Pin

Pin 1 - Blue - C17

Pin 2 - Black - Fuse B7

Pin 3 - Yellow - C4

Pin 4 - Brown - C1

Hope this helps.

Chris.