Dealer can't program OBC?
 

First post, but read through most of the messages here....

I have a 03 Boxster. It has Cruise Control and standard wipers (no auto rain sense).

I added the OBC stalk and wired it with Woody's harness.

I took it to the dealer to have the OBC enabled. They claimed they could find a way to enable it. I even showed them the screen shot from the Pelican site on with the menu. They said they tried with the older Porsche diagnostic system and the new one.

Has anyone had a 03 (or really any model) that the OBC could not be enabled?
Was there something else they needed to do?

Thanks
John

The dealer is probably blowing smoke up your skirt. Dealers are under orders from PCNA not to activate options that where not included in the original build, unless you pay for them first. So the dealers come up with all kinds of dubious excuses rather than get in the middle.

I would suggest looking for a qualified independent shop to do the task.

The dealer told me they would do it if I can tell them where to enable it, so not sure that is their motivation.

I watched the service manager go through the menus on the newer diagnostic tool (stood right beside him) and we could not find an option to enable it. I was not allowed to go back to the service department, but he took the car back with the photo from the Pelican site to try their older system. He said the screen did not show it being an option.

Can't you now do this on the Durametric?

Thanks for the heads-up on the Durametric. Ordered and will post the results when I get it.

John

I mean, I hope I was right. You'll use it regardless, but I was more asking for confirmation that I was correct.

I have an 03 S that came equipped same as yours. I bought the stalk and PDwight's harness, did the install myself and took it to my independent shop to have the OBC enabled. They did it 1-2-3 with no problem. Maybe you need to find an independent specialist, it could be that all the technicians at the dealer were all in grade school or high school in 2003 and they aren't familiar with these models any more.

It needs to be the Durametric Pro version, the Enthusiast version does not do it

Ok, that's right. So if you go to an indy mechanic they should be using the pro version and should be able to do it for you.

My enthusiast has the option to activate the OBC

So does mine.

It was Cruise Control I was thinking of that requires the Pro version

Jay (or anyone else in this thread), maybe you can answer my cruise control question. I plan on adding cruise to my girlfriend's '03 986 S (which already has the OBC), is there anyone that makes the simple 4-wire harness that goes from the stalk to the instrument cluster, or is it more/less complicated than that?

The obc stalk is the only one that's removable, so to add cruise you'll have to buy a complete unit, which will include the wiring.

I did that mod. You will need the stalk (it didnt come with wiring) follow the pelican instructions and it is a piece of cake. You will need the durametric pro to turn on the Cruise.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/92-ELEC-Cruise_Control/92-ELEC-Cruise_Control.htm

If the option for OBC in the instrument cluster does NOT show up in PIWIS, it's probably because the "Option Code" had not been keyed in for the DME. Go to DME and put in 986320 for a Boxster S.... Then go back out and do a full module scan, then go back to the instrument cluster and the OBC will show up.

Just went through this with my Boxster...

...joe

(Copy of email I sent to Durametric support - hope maybe someone here may have an idea)

I just received my Durametric Enthusiast.

I was able to connect it to my 03 Boxster. No codes (Yay!)

I have installed the OBC stalk, and it appears to be installed correctly. If I move the stalk in any of the directions at start up the oil level screen goes away.

I have tried to enable the OBC via the Durametric but have been unsuccessful.

The first time I try I get the following error:
Coding Change Failed

If I try again I get:
Did not receive the correct number of bytes from the control module.

If I try a third (or any consecutive) time it states that it is enabled (but it is not)

Same happens when I try to disable it.

Any ideas?

Make sure the big connector on the back of the instrument panel is seated all the way...make double sure

The white one used with new harness?

Did that a few times.

I wonder if this has been sorted out.

Same "Did not receive the correct number of bytes from the control module" error message here with Durametric Pro on a 2001 Boxster S

Thanks