WTF, Porsche Center couldn't code cruise control?

[evan9eleven]

Hey guys!

I've just completed the 4-stalk switch install and wiring in my 2004 Box S per Wayne's book. I had OBC already, but want cruise control. Switch install went... well... by the book! No issues, everything functions as before. Figured coding the cruise control would be a piece of cake for the dealer's workshop. NOPE! They tried for over an hour and gave up finally, saying they could get as far as the last step but that the coding wouldn't go through.

They politely tried to blame my wiring and want the car in for a day to take it apart. Yeah right! I double checked the connections when I re-assembled and they were done per Wayne's wiring chart for the 2004.

Correct me if I'm wrong: shouldn't it be possible to enable cruise control in the DME and cluster regardless of the switch being installed?

Anyone done this with the pro version of Durametric?


TIA for any replies!


Obligatory pic, not my driveway, I wish!

[evan9eleven]

So its been a long time since I started this thread, and I want to get back into the project and get the cruise coded.

Durametric Pro won't work either. It shows cruise active in the DME, however when I try to enable it in the cluster nothing happens. No error message, no progress message, nothing. (Remember this is a 2004 so the cluster must be enabled separately from the DME.)

I should also mention that the dash lamp for cruise does not come on with the key (lamp test) and it never has in the two years I've owned the car.

Since my last post I disassembled the cluster again and double checked all my wiring. Its done exactly as in Wayne's book. I also checked with my voltmeter to make sure that things were in the right place, and that I get 12V when the stalk switch is activated. Everything checks out based on the info I have available...

Maybe someone can post the wiring diagram for a 2004 box S, so I can triple check? I'm really stuck and need some help please!

[BER]

It is my understanding that if the instrument cluster bulb is missing, or burned out, you will not be able to enable the cruise. Swap out the bulb for one you know works.

The Durametric Pro should allow you to enable the cruise in both the DME and the instrument cluster. If the cruise light bulb is functioning, and you still can't enable the cruise with the Durametric Pro, you may want to call the folks at Durametric and ask for their help.

[evan9eleven]

Thanks BER!

I'll have to get it apart and check. I was under the impression that cluster lights are LED on the later models like mine, but maybe thats not the case?

Another forum also suggested to check that I've got the correct order code for the car set in either the P-tool or Durametric. I thought we checked that but will verify.

Another classic stopper seems to be if the clutch or brake switches are faulty as they need to work to disengage the cruise, though I checked these with my ohmmeter and they seem to be OK.

Back to the garage!

[BER]

Welcome!

I like that Minerva Blue SC...looking good.

[M. Murphy]

I have a similar issue with my 98 base. Bought the car late last year, the previous owner said the CruiseControl had not worked it a while. He supposedly checked the bulb and replaced the servo. I replaced the clutch switch last night, no function. I am about to pull the cluster and change the bulb. Although there is no obvious evidence as funky smelling carpet the PO handed the car over with clogged cowl drains, I'm wondering if the DME was compromised by moisture. Any thoughts?

[S ECU Repair]

First, I would check in your car's user manual, or by your car's vin # if the Cruise Control was equipped in your car.

If it was, then I know that with my PST2 you can Enable and Disable the Cruise Control feature in the programming of the DME.

I've only fiddled with this twice and the programming didn't "take" right away and so we had to reprogram the DME from scratch a couple of times, but we got it figured out.

Murphy, Boxsters typically suffer more from moisture damage to the Immobilizer under the driver's seat, which does not manage nor influence the car's Cruise Control system.

See here: http://site.ecudoctors.com/tech-data/Boxster/Porsche-Boxster-1999-Pinout-Immobilizer-Alarm-CLU.pdf

[M. Murphy]

Thanks, that could explain why I can't manually lock the drivers door. I get the double beep from the alarm horn.

[S ECU Repair]

Murphy, the double beep usually means that there is a "fault" or "open contact" in one of the doors or trunks.

A factory scanner can tell you where the fault is easily.

Something to check that happened to me was that the interior driver side door handle did not close 100% due to a stretched spring which returns the handle to its position after you have pulled it.

Check that. Who knows if that's going to be it for you.

[M. Murphy]

Thanks, that's good information and I'll check it shortly.

Murf

[M. Murphy]

Tried it, unfortunately didn't work.

[evan9eleven]

Finally I can report that my cruise control is working! It only took 3 years... so it goes when the car and I are in 2 different countries and access to the Durametric Pro is an hour's drive away.

Owen at Durametric was quick to respond to an email asking for help. I explained that there was no response when trying to code the cluster, and he sent me detailed instructions for making a log file for them to troubleshoot with. The log allowed them to solve the issue: the version of the software I was running (6.5.5.5) wouldn't work, so he sent a link to download a new version, 6.5.5.8. Using this version, I clicked to activate the cruise control in the cluster and the coding started (message shown in lower left corner) after 10 seconds or so I got a message that the coding was successful. And now everything works!

One small thing: the green cruise lamp does not light. Not with the ignition-on lamp test and not when cruise is activated. This is a facelift car (2004 S) so the cluster is lit by LEDs, and I have confirmed that there is an LED in that spot. So the light in this model does not seem to indicate cruise being coded or functioning or not, and probably has nothing to do with the coding from Durametric working or not. No big deal, I'm just happy the cruise works, I couldn't care less about the green light!

Furthermore, many have commented on threads elsewhere that the wiring must be in place and correct for the coding to work. I can't speak from experience on this but the general consensus is that this is not the case and that the coding should work regardless.

I hope this can help someone else, and thanks again for all the input everyone.