ECU recoding
 

I bought an unrunning Boxster and tried to fix it myself. I gave up and took it to a Porsche shop. The shop is not a Porsche dealer, but are well known, and don't have the tools to unite the CPU (DME) with the immobilizer. I didn't ask, but can we just send the two boxes to a dealer shop, or does the dealer shop need the car to recode. Also I'm in Des Moines, Iowa, so any known certified shops in this area that can do this work. I'm thinking Woodhouse in Omaha.

The dealer will need the car.

The dealer will think that you're a car thief unless you have the car, the ECU, and the immobilizer.

And don't forget some kind of proof of ownership. :)

Can you be a little more specific as to what is going on with your Boxster?

Does your Boxster have a complete Immobilizer and ECU Set with at least 1 Remote?

When you say that it doesn't run, do you mean that it "cranks, but does not start", or do you mean that it doesn't "crank at all"?

I'll be able to explain to you what you will need to get the car running.

ECU doctors
 

The car is being worked on by the Woodhouse Porsche Dealer in Omaha. I'm from Des Moines, Iowa, and had it at a popular shop. They told me the car turns over, but doesn't start. That the ECU DMI needs to be programmed with the immobilizer, and they don't have the programming tools. They recommended that I go to a Porsche dealer for this programming. So I sent it to Woodhouse in Omaha. It will probably cost a fortune but hopefully they can fix it.

Thanks, I shipped the dealer the car with both boxes and my registration is in the armrest.

Marty Talarico
 

Programming is a very loose term, and if that is all you need to "start your car", then you shouldn't have to "pay a fortune" maybe only $300.

All they would do is get the codes from Porsche to "link" the Immobilizer and DME.

Good Luck.

Please update when this matter is resolved. We like to know what you paid as it seems the pricing is all over the place, especially when only Porsche has the codes and you are at the mercy of the dealership.

Thanks, I hope that's all it needs. I will let you guys know how much.

Thanks for joining in on this conversation. Several of us probably have questions about this topic.

For example, original poster did not answer if he had the complete set. However, I do, BUT, isn't there always a BUT? My set was pulled from a running 2002 S 3.2L that was wrecked. I'd like to use the set in a 2001 base 2.7L. My understanding is that the DME (CPU) will need to be reflashed to work with the 2.7L. Correct? It is also my understanding that one would need the PST2 or PIWIS to do the reflash. Is that also your understanding? I thought I read somewhere that there was a third part source for equipment that could reflash a DME. OR... from your user name, it appears that you might also do this kind of work.

What can you say to these questions?

Thanks,
Joe

My PST-2 doesn't differentiate between a 986 and a 986S. If the Dme's are the same part number should be good.

$300 is a fortune just to press some keys on a test set to re-align some electrons. This really should cost no more than $75. My indy will do it for regular customers at no charge.

Yes. Both DME's run Motronic 7.2 but since the displacement is different, you'll need to change the maps.

Yes, a PST2 or PIWIS is needed. Some indy's and 3rd parties can do this also like Softronic.

Thank You
 

ThStone - really appreciate the straight forward and direct answers. Thanks.

I have reflashed 7.8 DMEs as recently as last month and as I said above a PST-2 with the latest version of software only asks what model of Porsche it is and what part of the world the car is being used. It does not ask for the displacement.

I'm not an engine swap expert but I am a Motronic fuel injection/control system junkie. As such, I can't say that I have a PST2 (wish I did!), but here is a reference (of many that can be found on the interwebs) about swapping the 2.7 and 3.2 with DME 7.2. If this info is incorrect, I apologize.

You can swap in any replacement engine of the same displacement from 2000-02 without having to remap the DME. (for example, a 2001 3.2L Boxster with a blown motor can accept a 2002 3.2L engine with no remapping needed).

Go to this link, then scroll down to "Boxster 2001 (2.7L & 3.2 S)";
Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Engine Conversion Project - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-08)

Any update?

The Porsche Dealer is finished. The car runs good. It cost 450 for a new security unit that is under the passenger seat, and 200 to install. Plus 190 for a key fob and 60 to program it. The dealer tried to sell me a bunch of stuff. I did have them change the oil and inspec it. That ran 250. Now my engine light is on, my air bag light is on. They said it will cost about 300 to have them fix the air bag light. They don't know why the check engine light is on.

If they can't shut the airbag light off and can't read the cel, then they are morons.

They need to shut off the airbag light and check the cel for free.

Without a doubt for free. That is not how you return a car to a customer. They already soaked you for what they did.

you can buy a Durametric for less than $300 and that will clear the airbag light and CEL

What is a Duramatic? I'm interested in anything to fix that problem for the lowest dollar.

I totally agree, with what a Customer of dealer service should expect. I bought and paid for 4 new tires and a key fobthat the dealer did not have in stock. When the key fob was in I drove from Des Moines, Ia. To Woodhouse Porsche in Omaha, Ne. to have tires put on and get the fob programmed. When I get there, they put on tires that were about a hundred dollars cheaper per tire. The key fob was sold to someone else that day, and the car needed to be present to program the fob. So I demanded that they pay me back, and pay me the difference of the tires. Theygot the airbag light off but the CEL is still on. When I got back home, I saw my tire air vavle covers that were
the metal Porsche ones were replaced with the black plastic ones. I yelled at the dealer and they said they will ship me new ones.
I will never do business with keep Woodhouse in Omaha again.
Woodhouse sent me a refund on the key fob about two weeks after I called every day. They also paid me back the tire difference, and sent me new valve caps. They said they used their wheel lock nut key, that they couldn't find mine. But I put it by the spare tire that day, so it was there. Never tell anyone working on your car, that you live out of town, but that doesn't make since. I guess they could always see your license plates.

Durametric is an advanced code reader for P-cars.
A regular code reader will not give you data on many of the Porsche systems. The Durametric is far more than just a code reader

Do a search on the forum and you will gets lots of info

Google Durametric and their website will give you more info

Can someone comment with maybe some updated info? I am swapping a 3.2L into a 2.7L and I keep getting conflicting answers.Thanks! I understand that with the 3.4L 996 engine you definitely need to have it remapped.

Ecu doctor had to replace my Immobilizer and reprogram with one new key fob cost $1200.00 dollars There is a member that is cheaper his user name is Qmulus.Shoot him a private message.

You just need to update the map in the DME with a PST2 or PIWIS like thstone and PAUL mentioned. It’s really easy. I have done this over a dozen times with 996 3.4 swap into a 986, ROW map upgrade, and S motor into a base car like you are doing. Just get the programming codes from your dealer and find someone with a PST2 or PIWIS. Only takes 2 minutes to enter the DME programming code and pick the the right map and 7-8 minutes to update the DME with the map. 10 mins total time to do the map update.