Boxster OBC Hack Successful! tips and question...

[yupaleus]

Hi, I have a 2001 boxster s, that didn't have the obc stalk. I bought vw wires, 22 g wire, the 996spoiler toggle switch, according to Yoseif's hack OBC Hack

Tips i would have.
1.watch out for the 'flippable' black cams on the green, grey, and blue housings for the connectors. They are plastic and break easily. That said, even without the 'colored' housings, the connectors, still plug in and work. I broke the grey one, and just stuck in the black connector without the housing.

2.Crimping wires is pretty straightforward, but I did get an ohm reader, and made sure that there was continuity in the spliced wire. One of my spade connectors was loose, and i wasn't getting continuity.

3.In placing the yellow vw wires, it is CRITICAL you push all the way in. There should not be much of the yellow vw wire above the top of the black connector. It should be inserted as deep as possible. I panicked when i went through this painstaking, hours of work, and had no obc. Then I looked at the black cam for the grey connector, where all the connections are made, and noticed a preexisting wire, was deeper inserted then the wires i placed in slots 22 and 24. I pushed further, after repositioning the male ends of the vw wire, and finally, success....

4.Also, I used the 996 TT spoiler switch. The switch angles downward from left to right. If you push the right most part of the switch nothing will happen. You need to push the left part of the switch to toggle through the temp, mph, etc functions. The right most end of the switch, re-sets everything, i.e. if you want mpg recalculated from the beginning of the trip, push the button.

5.The torx screw on the left end of the dashboard is deep. trying to reinsert this screw is a pain, if you try to do a steady hand, keeping the screw balanced on your torx driver--unless it's magnetic. I took some tape, taped the torx screw to the driver, and screwed it in enough , and then pulled the driver, and with it came the tape.

6.Another must for this hack is a long forceps/tweezers. Preferably 1 foot in length. When feeding the wires from the dashboard, to the panel where your new button will be, you will need to grasp the wire from a distance about six inches or more inside the whole . your hand wont fit inside. You need some catching mechanism/tweezer, to grab the wire and pull it through.

Ok, now my question. The one function, i haven't figured out, is the 'limit' function, which can give you a little tone, if you've exceeded a preset speedlimit. I haven't figured out if I can actually control this function with the toggle switch. It may not be possible. On the stalk, you may have to push or pull the stalk to change the speed 'limit.'

Does anyone know how to to this with the toggle switch hack?

Thanks,

[RNajarian]

Yossef addressed this feature in his writeup. I believe it involves bridging some wires. I'll check my PDF files and see if I have the answer.

[yupaleus]

great Naj, look forward to your post.

[Wayne 962]

I have this documented in the Project for the new book. Send me a PM, and I will send you a copy of the article...

-Wayne

[JimHoyland]

Can you explain what vw wires are ? I've seen this referred to before and don't have a cliue...

[yupaleus]

Oh, the vw wires (OBC Hack). I ordered them.

The wires are cheapish, like $3. The ends of these yellow insulated wires have a male end, that fits into the female connector unit behind the dashboard. Check Yoseif's site for a picture. You need these specialized wires because they have the special 'male' connection head.

[JimHoyland]

Final Question: If my '98 Box has the temp readout operating, do I still need to have the OBC turned on by the dealer ???

[RNajarian]

My understanding is that if the Outside Temperature is being displayed then the OBC has already been activated. If not you can also do it through a Durametric Cable ODCII setup.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

If not you can also do it through a Durametric Cable ODCII setup.

It is my understanding that the Durametric tool does no programming, only reading and resetting of codes...

On their FAQ page, they specifically state that it cannot activate the OBC:

Porsche Diagnostic Tool FAQs | Durametric

Question: Can the software enable the on board computer (OBC)?
Answer: Not at this time.

-Wayne

[RNajarian]

Wayne that is correct about version 5.0

Follow this link to the developer's notes on BETA version 6.0. Look at the release notes dated 28 September 2009 and you will see what the BETA version 6.0 can do, including OBC enabling.

Porsche Diagnostic Software Version History | Durametric


"Second release of Durametric 6.0 Added Coverage for 996 and Boxster (986) Many new features that are not available in Durametric 5. Here are some examples

Enabling and disabling the On Board Computer (OBC). Even though this is technically "coding," it is included in both the Enthusiast and Professional kits

Clearing fault codes on Alarm, along with other alarm features like activations and input signals

Brake bleeding

Convertible top calibration on 996 Cabriolet Activations on most modules

Coverage for every possible control module on Boxster and 996.

New for version 6.0: Litronic headlight control"


You can run version 5.0 and 6.0 at the same time. I have seen the menu to activate the OBC in version 6.0 NOT in version 5.0.

I guess they are working out the last few bugs in version 6.0 and have not updated their FAQ section on their website yet

[Wayne 962]

Cool. That is good news. I will have to include this info in the book!

Thx

Wayne

[RNajarian]

Does that mean I get a Researcher Reference in the new book?

Co-Author?

Dedication?

Just Kidding! We all are looking forward to the new book, but I might have to get mine laminated based on how abused and dirty my "101 Projects for Your Porsche 911" has become over the years.

[Wayne 962]

Got a preliminary article on the OBC from the book online finally:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/91-ELEC-turn_signal_switch_-_OBC_upgrade/91-ELEC-turn_signal_switch_-_OBC_upgrade.htm

-Wayne

[Stratocaster]

OBC Upgrade: 2001 Boxster - Not completely successful

After getting a great deal from Pelican Parts on all of the stuff needed for this project I decided to go ahead and do it. I started early in the day, and took my time as to not damage or miss anything. After a through and methodical several hours, I reconnected the battery only to find less than satisfactory results:

*The check oil graphic comes on and blinks until you press the OBC stalk, then it changes to "000 miles".

*The fuel gauge reads "0" and the "reserve" light is on.

*Turn signals are not displayed on the instrument cluster, and there is the absence of a "clicking" sound when actuated.

*The "low washer fluid" light is on. (washer fluid is not low)

I braved the NW Austin rush hour traffic to go by the dealer to see if he could use their PIWIS in hopes that would resolve the issue (and enable the OBC function) but was told to make an appointment as they were "really behind and to drop the car off next week……

Has anybody had a similar experience?
ANY help is greatly appreciated..

[faverymi]

Any updates since september?

Did you resolve the problem?

Let us know....

[Rupertlove]

Hi folks. I`ve a 996 1998 in Australia and am wanting the small wiring loom with VW connectors and connector to connect my 4th stalk to the back of the instruments. I want to buy the wiring ready made with good terminal crimps.

I`ve found two commercial suppliers in the US but both want to charge very high prices for posting this small item.

Is there any enthusiast/supplier out there who can send in a USPS envelope ?

cheers

[alan_florsheim]

Hello. I, too, am confused because the connectors in my 2002 Boxster S are different from the book. The connjectors from left to right (grey - 1 wire), Blue (lots of wires), and green (lots of wires). I look at the connections in project 91, where I connect the wires to #23, 22, 21, 24. Those are already full with wires on the Blue connector.

The car did NOT come with the fourth stalk (I added that now).

Any ideas?

[alan_florsheim]

[alan_florsheim]

ok, reading deeper, it seems it IS the left most plug (grey) that I should be using, and I do need to reset the cluster in order to get the OBC info to show up. I will try that.

[Randy328]

Originally Posted by alan_florsheim

ok, reading deeper, it seems it IS the left most plug (grey) that I should be using, and I do need to reset the cluster in order to get the OBC info to show up. I will try that.

I just completed this last Thursday on my 2004. You are correct, you need to use the Grey plug. Mine only had two wires on it, 3 and 19. You need 19 if you want the Cruise to work and you have a manual (it's the clutch switch).

I activated both Cruise and OBC with Durametric and it works like a champ. Also, I found the cables pre-made on the UK eBay site, very reasonable.