odix

These are great: http://smartercharger.com/products/batterychargers/ctek-multi-us-3300/ They are Porsche OEM. Porsche places their logo on the Ctek charger. I use mine monthly -- via the passenger footwell jack.

To Loren's point, become a contributing member and you can run the VIN and learn a lot more about the vehicle. Money well spent.

Year of your Cayenne? How old is your vehicle battery? How much voltage is your battery putting out? Old/weak batteries can generate many problems, including settings losing their memory.

Hi smallfrys: Regarding recalls in general -- not sure what automobile manufacture regulatory bylaws are in Australia but in the US a problem has to be consistent and persist over a certain time frame (early in a vehicle's release) and a large percentile of vehicles in release have to be significantly impacted. The problem has to be an issue replicable by third parties. Many vehicle manufacturers issue voluntary recalls (in North America) but those recalls differ from mandatory recalls. Major safety issues will prompt regulatory bodies to act quickly and this is often based on number of impacted people. Porsche AG, even with the Cayenne's proportionately large sales volume vs. other Porsche vehicles, does not have nearly as many vehicles on the road as other manufacturers so when a Porsche issue surfaces the numbers of complaints being lodged are less. Less complaints equal slower regulatory action. Bottom line; it's doubtful any recalls will surface for the 9PA/1 by any global regulatory entity. I too have an '04 S -- amazing to think our vehicles are now a decade old. As these issues surface for me (I've been through coil packs, drive shaft, coolant pipes, etc) I repair them and cringe but it's the cost of what we own. As my mileage piles-up (at 100k miles now) I'll soon make a decision to either double-down and go commit to 150/200k (with associated costs potentially including this transmission valve body issue) or sell and move to a different vehicle. That said, these are complex vehicles and given what they can do and were engineered for, I have been fine with the issues that surface. Not ideal, but we did not purchase a Honda or Toyota.

An excellent indy shop I've taken my '04 Cayenne S to in the SF Bay Area is: Pro Shop in San Rafael. 58 Irwin Street. Tel: 415/454-2966 German-owner, Vots, used to race 911's back in the day. He has all the official diagnostic tools, reasonable pricing and is a direct and straightforward person. I bought my Cayenne used (Certified Pre-Owned) and also like Sonnen Porsche (official dealer) in Mill Valley -- it's where I purchased the vehicle. Dealer service pricing is, in my opinion, higher then it needs to be. Vots and his team do not wash your vehicle or shuttle you around town but they get the job done properly and efficiently with no surprises. I live nearby so it's convenient but for folks that live in San Francisco you can get to the Larkspur ferry and the San Rafael bus terminal is a block away. I usually drop off really early (key slot) and take a commuter bus to SF to work and then bus or ferry back to pick-up the vehicle. Vots was recommended by a friend who has his vintage and modern Porsche's serviced there. I'm very pleased I now know about Vots and the Pro Shop. He gets positive recommendations/reviews from others as well.

Become a contributing member and I think you can find your answer in the DIY section.

How old is your main vehicle battery? And have you recently replaced the key fob battery?

I too drive an '04 CS. They are complex, heavy vehicles with large engines and a lot of heated fluids circulating around. Porsche gauges reflect reality and in reality vehicles with internal combustion engines generate more heat while stationary and all vehicles experience significant temperature ranges, It's normal. Most mainstream vehicle (non-Porsche) coolant gauges are calibrated to hold the mid-mark to keep folks from freaking out. It's a perception issue and you'll find a few threads on this topic here in Renntech.org. For example my '03 VW Golf/GTI's coolant temp gauge holds the mid-mark no matter what the true temps are. I recall a drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles in my Cayenne in the summer (hot day) with a major tailwind -- sure enough my temp reflected this, it was elevated. I was very impressed. Also, keep in mind your Cayenne has a heat exchanger; oil~coolant so you'll want to observe both gauges and the relative relationship therein. Over time you'll note the relationship between overall conditions and gauge readings. And, as always, Loren's advice is spot on. Check your levels and keep your radiators clean.

You'll find a thread here on how to remove the side-mirror glass. It's easy.

I own a 2004 S and the radio (PCM 2, CD, not DVD nav) and reception are excellent. Once you sort out your issues you'll be pleased with the radio.

It's a really easy fix to do yourself. 20 minutes max.

Be sure your vehicle is stopped and in park when you look for the comfort settings. While in motion certain settings/features are innaccessinble.

If you are under warranty I'd suggest you make an appointment today. Sonnen Marin (I see you are in the SF Bay Area) are solid. I had A/C water drip over my accelerator foot a few years ago (I have an '04 S) -- and the cause was the drain plug on the passenger side foot well was blocked and overflowed -- a few threads here cover it. And what's odd is the drip felt really hot to my foot but it was actually quite cold. The human nervous system has strange reactions. By the time I stopped and took a look the water on the carpet felt warm to the touch because, by then, it was indeed warm.

+1. Sell the S and get a Turbo. Not worth even thinking about.