I did not install 4-stalk yet. You can control OBC with 2 switches also. At the moment I only have 1 switch installed to control everyday needs (scroll one way and reset). I have not decided if I go with a second switch or 4-stalk.

As long as I could scroll through the options and reset, I'd be perfectly happy. Did you find an install guide on here, or just figure it out on your own?

If you google, Boxster OBC Hack, whiteson.com has a great DIY guide. The function you don't get without the second button is speed gonging, which is completely pointless. It allows you to set a speed, and once you reach that speed the car beeps at you. Like I said, pointless! :cheers:

That is a great DIY. I'm not sure if I want to risk doing it myself though....let's just say I'm not the most electrically inclined. Either way, at the very least, I'll push the techs at my closest dealership to turn on the OBC and see if they can maybe set it to "distance to empty."

My situation is a little different, because I have 01 986S and my cluster is 04 C4S which has new style dot matrix OBC display. I actually cannot reset with one switch, I can see reset screen, but cannot reset without second switch (or 4-stalk). Pressing switch 1 right, I get to this screen and pressing left I can scroll DOWN until bottom. With one switch I have no way to get to "reset all" or actually reset anything (except trip with the left peg). Pressing right again here gets me back to normal screen.

http://a248.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...41605767f7.jpg

I have wired second switch contacts already, so I know what they do. I just don't have the switch (or 4-stalk yet).

Here is my normal display:
:dance:
http://a533.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...160c323b24.jpg

My next "project": ;)
http://a829.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...1dfd1c0bc4.jpg

More pics @ myspace. :D
Also rentech.org has a long topic about cluster swap:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=12805

Without a switch you only get outside temp display and even if you would get "distance to empty" you could not reset it without a switch. It doesn't reset automatically when you fill your tank.

I was afraid of that. I'll just have to suck it up and put a switch in somewhere. How much did you pay for your cluster, if you don't mind me asking?

I got lucky $101 shipped from Ebay. You must be careful with ebay clusters though, that is complicated instrument and you want to get one which works. Read the LOOOONG topic @Renntech, that explains a lot about 996 clusters in 986. :cheers:

@cmarks20

It is an extremely easy hack. It sounds complicated but it is actual very easy to do. It took me about an hour total, and I had never done anything like that to a car before. Boxster's are designed so incredibly well, that you won't have to struggle with anything. :cheers:

That's good to know. I've never done anything like this to a car before either. Guess it's about time to start looking at clusters =)

I've been thinking about a clean way to add a car computer to my 2001 boxster, too. My current thinking is to take one of the Asus EEE laptops and put it in the shelf for the owner's manual. Surprisingly enough, it has the same dimensions as the shelf. So I think it would work. If I ever wanted to remove it, or upgrade to another UMPC or laptop, it would be easy to replace, too.

For the display, I am debating between a 1DIN touchscreen that folds out, or a 2DIN touchscreen. To use the 2DIN, I would have to remove the DSP unit. I'm not sure how hard that would be, but I don't really care about the DSP unit, as long as the factory changer still works without it...

My thought was that I replace factoty cd-changer with PC (incl. 160GB HD), so I do not need a CD player. 160 takes quite few MP3's. I'm also planning 7" touchscreen in top 2 Din slots.

'nother carputer :)

http://gthing.net/carputer-5-final/