OBC Cable...is this fair ?
 

I have been working on the OBC upgrade for my 01S. Being out of work at this time I have more time to think and sometimes get myself into trouble. I made this cable up for my car and was thinking. If I made up some more of these and sold them for $45 shipped what do you guys think ?

The cable has the correct connectors, no making a molex work...no forcing connectors in place. All connections hand soldered, crimped and ohmed out. The plug is the correct connector for the OBC Stalk and the cable has heat shrink and a cloth loom to hold it all together. It has IMHO a factory look.

While I would never get rich making these, I could make a little and possibly finance other Boxtser projects down the road.

Here is a pic of my cable and connectror (s)

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps0d7cd207.jpg

I'm in for this if it'll work in my '04 (which I think it will). :cheers:

Pack a DIY sheet with it and I am sure you will sell enough to pay for some of your small projects. Like you said you won't get rich but others on here have done the same with other items. You never know, nice work by the way:cheers:

Will do
 

I have some more connectors on their way in, should have some cables in a week or so.

Thanks

Dwight

I'm in.

+1 on the DIY sheet - it will give guys a "warm fuzzy" on doing the project.

PM me when you have them built and I'll get one. If you need pre-pay, I can do that too.

Rick

I would be in for one. I have everything ready to go for an install of the OBC setup but the wiring.

I'm in for one, PM me when they are ready. Also please include the DIY sheet.

if you were to make "the poor man's version" as described in the pelican tech article you would probably sell a whole bunch of them for around $100 a pop. that would alleviate the necessity of needing to acquire a four arm stalk for about 250, if you can find 'em.

Maybe you could also make one for the cruise control add on too.

Very nice clean built part. That should easily be saleable. Agree also with rdass623. I would like the features but won't buy the factory stalk. The dash switch option is very attractive due to the cost.

I'm in for one also

Good going, you fitted it yet ?

Yes,
 

Yesterday, it fit like a glove...everything went together like a snap. Unfortunately my OBC is turned off, have a date with the shop this Wednesday to get it turned on.


The 4 wires that go to the white connector on the Instrument cluster slid firmly in place and clicked locked. I then tugged on the wires to be sure they would not back out (Old X- Ray service guy habit) and then installed the connectors. The dang ground was tough it is at such an angle that I had to use a universal joint 10mm socket to get the nut off and then ream my ground connector to get it to go over the bolt. I will have to use a bigger "eye" connector in my cables in the future....noting like empirical R&D.

Dwight

PS I did pics all along the way

Nice going Dwight, it's great when it's activated & so worth doing.

Two pitfalls
 

To watch out for, one make sure you mark the distance out for the 4 stalk so the clock spring does not bind. This is pretty easy I took a fine small flat point screwdriver and make a shiny mark on the column. The second one and this is much tougher is to get the new 4 stalk level so it is not too clockwise or anti clockwise . I think I adjusted mine 6 times before I was satisfied. The only way I could tell was to get it snug so you can just barley move it, then sit in the drivers seat and sight the arms of the 4 stalk against the dash pad. Then you have to get out and lay down to tighten the 4 stalk with a 8mm wrench...a socket will not work. I also took the opportunity to clean everything, apply protectant to all the dash that is not normally exposed and you cannot get to. There was something in my steering column and dash cluster that was light tan to brown in color, it wiped up easily......possibly someone stopped too quickly in the past and spilled a chocolate drink into the dash and airbag assembly.....it all cleaned up easily and after some protectant it looked like new. Be sure if you do this you do not test the car with the air bag unplugged or you will get the famous airbag light and need a trip to the dealer or dig out your durametric. I have not tried this but the airbag has a resistance of .3 Ohms, you should be able to put a .3 Ohm resistor across the airbag plug and not get a warning....but I did not want to chance this.

Dwight

PM me when you have some ready and I'll take one too

Parts in bound
 

I have enough parts on their way to make 10 cables, all should be in my hands in a week to 10 days and I will turn these around quickly.

THanks
Dwight

if you can make a kit for obc and cruise control along with the diy AND source the 4 stalk... you have a big winner...

Not sure if I want to go that far
 

I might do a "Economy" kit using a dash switch, I had a hard time finding a used 4 stalk for my own.

For those of us that have no clue what you are building and/or no idea what it allows you to do can you explain ? I have an 02 S what would this allow me to do ? Thanks

I would be interested in that.

This is the wiring required for adding the on-board computer function to your car. Function is described in owners manual. You still need the control stalk and professional programming to activate the function

MY Cable
 

If you want to add OBC (On Board Computer) to show different information (outside temp, distance etc.) you have to get this feature turned on by a dealer or someone with access to a Durametric scanner then locate a 4 stalk switch assembly. Then you have to order the Volkswagen wires and connector and make up a wiring harness to install. THis will cost you upwards of $85 USD

Pelican Technical Article: Boxster On Board Computer (OBC) Upgrade / Boxster Turn Signal Switch Replacement - 986 Boxster (1997-04) -

MY wiring loom is already made up with the proper connectors , no forcing the wires into the white plug on the back of the instrument cluster. Also my harness looks factory OEM and is already made up and ohmed out and ready to install for $45 shipped.

Here is a few pics of the install last week
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps2242b138.jpg

A Comparison
 

I am not putting anything or anyone down here. Bottom is an example of the cable using the information online, the top is my cable. I wanted something that looked factory in my car. I used to make up cables and do PC board level repair in the X-Ray business so I knew I could do better...also for almost half the money.

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/t...psfcdbb3ef.jpg

Thanks
Dwight

what this modification will do is give you the ability to control the onboard computer. this is a trip computer, which displays various features like miles per gallon, remaining miles per tank, and similar features.

Pd, If you do decide to move forward with the economy kit, please count me in. I'm having a very hard time finding a 4th stalk for my 04 S.

eicheldp - did you try the salvage yards for a 4 stalk?

I have a 2001 Boxster and would be interested in the cabling for the dash switch version.

I would be very interested in an kit that allows me to turn on both OBC and cruise control...

Economy OBC wiring kit please. I already have the switch in the dash waiting for it!!!

so you just need the harness..right ?

Update
 

My connectors are in, my wire shipped from Chicago today so I should have it in hand at the end of the week. I made my harness you see in the pictures with scrap wire I had in my shop, I wanted the harness to all be the same so I ordered some wire so the color code would be universal. I should have some harness ready at the end of the week.

Thanks

Dwight

Sounds great.

to be clear this harness is good for both OBC and cruise control?

OBC only
 

This is for OBC only, it will connect the stalk to the Instrument cluster with the correct connectors.

will you be making the harness for the economy mod using a dash mounted switch? fi you do, I would be interested in purchasing one. I have ordered a window switch in anticipation, and really am hoping it will not need to wait for me to figure out how to do it myself.

Econo System
 

I will be happy to make a harness for this system, I do not have a good source for the switches...I will investigate further. Can you give me a length you would need ?

Thanks
Dwight

I would be more interested in the dash mounted switch harness too. Sourcing a stalk can be difficult, a switch not so much.

Switch not Stalk Harness
 

This would be from the back of the Instrument Cluster (Gray Plug) to the switch located on the left panel of switches in the center cluster right ?

I could include extra length of wire in case you needed to reroute the loom. This would be no problem. Would you want standard push on (Stakon) connectors for the switch (s) ?

PD - Include one for me for the switch mount version.
Thanks