Can you disable the Tiptronic Shift Buttons?
 

Does anyone know if there's a way to disable the steering wheel shift buttons? Ideally, I'd like to disable them when in Auto, but have them active when in Manual mode.

I often bump them accidentally and then I keep having to move the shifter to Manual and then back to Auto so it would shift properly.

Thanks.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pr...kQvhPutJvweRTg

Manual steering wheel with paddle shifters added.
(Not my car. I have a manual.)

I don't understand. Can you elaborate? Add paddle shifters to a manual steering wheel? How would that work?

Thanks.

Right??!! Do tell, Jimmy.

Here's a paddle shifter thread, but if you have trouble with the tiny Tip' shifters, getting bigger floppy shifters might not be the solution.
http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/56570-tiptronic-paddle-shift.html

Here's some detail of an install on Rennlist: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/929250-paddle-shifter-install-on-tiptronic-write-up.html

Maybe hold the steering wheel differently?

You could wire in a switch to open the circuit and disable them, but do you really want to do that?

When I had a tip, it seems to me that manual shifting when in auto mode was only a temporary bypass and that it would go back into automatic mode after a few seconds. So, if you accidentally shift down, just shift back up with the button and continue driving. I may be wrong, it wouldn’t be the first time. ;)

I have the same experience. If I accidentally push the button while in auto, eventually it continues to shift automatically.

I saw a steering wheel like that for sale one time. Not sure how it’s done but I know that you can add paddle shifters through the back as an alternative to the buttons.

I'll do this someday. Paddles run ~$100+

I believe you'll have to install them on a Tip/button steering wheel.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/929250-paddle-shifter-install-on-tiptronic-write-up.html

Thank you all for your input. Traveno and NewArt, I guess never let it go long enough for it to go back into auto mode. I'll give that a try next time and see what happens.

Otherwise, I can look into the paddleshifter mod, but it looks too complex to be worth it. For me, anyways.

I've considered doing a paddle mod for my tip Cayenne. I would manufacture my own paddles and such. I'll follow up if that ever works its way up in my queue of projects.
As for the original question, the answer (IMO) is simple:
relays that cuts the ground to the switches when in manual. May be able to tap in to existing hardware, or just slap a limit switch in there.

Yeah, I was also thinking about something like that. Biggest hurdle would be to figure out the wiring. If I pass that hurdle, I'd probably use a N.C. relay, and have it energize (open the grounds) when the shifter is in Auto mode. This way, if the relay(s) fail, they will close the contacts and the buttons will still function as normal.

The connection circled in red controls the tiptronic shift buttons and the horn. If you could figure out way to deactivate the connector, then you would kill the buttons and the horn. So if you hit the buttons or horn, nothing will happen. Second picture shows where it connects to the steering wheel.

https://i.postimg.cc/VLHcXBs8/tip.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/QxzRF8SN/steeringwheel.jpg

That looks like it might be a ground. So you're saying that the buttons and the horn use the same ground? Well, that throws a wrench in the plans. I'd have to relay the positive of each button, then.

I have a 1997 986 and on mine you have to actually move the shift lever to the left and into manual mode to use the Tiptronic buttons on the wheel. When it is in auto mode the buttons don't work. I guess they changed that in later years?

That's exactly what I'm hoping to get out of my 2002. Hopefully it's a feature that can be turned on or off. That would be the ideal. Obviously the Durametric can't do it, if there is such a feature, so I'll have to ask the stealer.

I was planning on visiting the stealer at some point anyway because I believe mine's in 'transport mode' so I'll ask them about that too.

:cheers:

Yes, I have had that wire break and when it breaks, both the Tiptronic buttons and horn no longer works.