PCM2 and various TSBs

[RJN]

I have had various issues with my UK spec, 2003 C2 6Spd. Whilst I don't like to moan at dealers, I can only say my experience from before buying the car through to now, following a service and various other problems, that the dealers I have dealt with in the UK are completely useless. They are rude, arrogant, carefree and know less than I do about their product! :o . :soapbox:

Anyway, it's great that we have this forum to vent and also to get some knowledgeable advice.

I have had various problems with the PCM2 system which the dealer now believes is all cured by applying a software update to version 2 of the PCM and software. We'll see whether it has fixed my problems in the near future.

Anyway, as King of all Porschedom, :king: Loren could you possibly pm me the following TSBs so I can walk into the dealer, wave them around a lot and generally explain to them why they are no use to me when they say there is no problem! Apologies for the frustration, but it does bug me with their incompetence....

8/03 MAY 03 Porsche Communication Management - Diagnosis/Repair

9/02 MAR 03 Exhaust System - Tailpipe Rattles

1/03 MAR 03 Washers/Wipers - Wiper Blade Squeaking/Rubbing Noise

11/02 FEB 03 Engine Controls - PCM2 Start Screen Visible Too Long

10/02 JAN 03 Navigation System - No Destination Input Possible

I would have subscribed to AllData to get these, but for some reason they still don't have the 2003 car information available to subscribe to.

I really appreciate this forum with its very helpful advice - thanks for the Short Shift install TSB and Toolpants' posts (and DVD - hope it arrives soon in the UK!) on the installation process which looks like it will be an easy thing to do myself when I get some free time.

Many thanks for your help.

[Loren]

Please remember that the AllData/etc. TSBs are from PCNA and may differ slightly for RoW applications. You've got mail...

[Keyvan]

I have had some problems with my 2003 C2 with PCM2, i'm also in the UK. Which dealer do you use?

Sometimes the unit does not switch on until a couple of minutes after starting the car. Also the unit will switch on but no sound will come from the CD/RADIO or navigation.

Usually switching the car off, locking it then unlocking and starting it again fixes the problem. I've had my car for 7 Month now and it's happened 4 times. Because the problem rectifies itself quickly it does not bother me enough to go book the car in to have it fixed. However I will definelty mention it on my next service in 5 month.

This is what I have learned with dealing with car dealerships in the UK (Porsche/BMW) they really hate fixing small problems so I usually wait until there is a real problem (by their definition) and then mention the little things while the car is booked in. I know it's unacceptable for them to dismiss these minor technical faults but that's just the way it is. Complaining will just irritate them and then you really won't get any service.

Edited December 2, 2003 by Keyvan

[RJN]

Keyvan

Yes, I had compiled a 2 page list of items for them to deal with at the first service, varying from minor to major and some questions I had in relation to various matters with the PCM2. Organising the first service only took 5 phone calls as no one was ever available and no one ever returned a call!

They dealt with none of the issues at the service and said I would need to book the car back in for further work and someone would call..... Oh dear, another 5 calls and a letter to the managing director, I finally got a call to book the car back in again.

After having kept the car for 5 days they then told me all the work was done. I went in to pick it up and the service guy took me through the first 8 points on my issues list and then asked the actual tech to explain what he had done regarding the other page and a half of issues. The tech comes over, nice guy, and says "never seen those other issues, no one ever told me about them, so I've only done the first 8 points"...... :o

So now I'm booking the car in for the third time to try and get the remaining points sorted out.

On the PCM2 I had similar problems to yours, it would occasionally not start up, sometimes it randomly shut itself down, the continuous trip computer stopped working at around 5,000 miles, but the time in use and MPG data were still going, sometimes you couldn't select CDs from the autochanger with the numbers on the panel you had to use the software menu from within the audio page, sometimes you couldn't select the track on a CD from the numbers on the left, sometimes you couldn't skip to the next track..... etc etc.

Anyway they did manage to install v.2 of the PCM2 software (as shown when you press Main and Trip together) and it seems to be working at the moment, however all of the colour scheme on the map pages has changed. I think I preferred the old colours!!

Having had the car for 5 days I now have some new issues where they have damaged and slightly ripped the leather on the passenger seat, dashboard and driver's door, and there is some kind of oil or grease over various parts of the inside of the car. :(

Not happy is my current position!!!!

[Keyvan]

I don't know where in the UK you are but the former HR Owen Service Center has excellent service. They even offer a 'while you wait service' for minor problems and will drop you off and pick you up from your home or nearest tube station. I also have never had a problem booking the car in and they are quite pleasant.

Porsche Service Center (HR Owen)

Unit 10, 1000 North Circular Road, Staples Cornet, London NW2 7JP

TEL: 020 8282 0640

Are you calling AFN? Because I heard they are not the best when it comes to after sales service and that's being modest.

I just checked my software version and it says V.2 and I still have those problems.... <_<

Edited December 4, 2003 by Keyvan

[kevinmcdo]

:soapbox: Keyvan,

I've had problems that sound just like yours. Sometimes the unit fails to boot. Sometimes the sounds simply goes away (as thought it were muted), but nothing including powering on and off rectifies the problem. If you park the car for a couple of hours, when you turn it on, the radio is blasting at full volume.

I'm very disappointed with the overall design of the PCM. It's just not well thought out. The fact you can't search for a restaurant by name is just wacked out. If you ask for a list of restaurants in a city, you get the thousands of them - and you have to twist that little knob and scroll through one screen at a time. And of course, the ETA displayed has such poor contrast against the background, it very hard to read.

Of course, the guy who decided to put the drink holders in front of the nav screen makes the nav designers look like geniuses.

I'm seriously thinking about removing this unit and replacing it with something else. (and I haven't even commented on how crappy the Bose system sounds or the fact that the "mute" button is in a submenu :cursing: ).