New discoveries on 996

[Diesel130]

Yesterday gave the car a good clean and put new number plates on after finally getting the CT documents through from DVLA. Found 2 things I didn't know I have ...

1) In the boot is a multi mini-disc device. I guess this is worth less than nothing, but was wondering whether it could be swapped for a multi-CD player or - better still - does someone do an MP3 or WMA player that uses the same interface to the mini-disc player that can be used with the standard CD player in the car ?

2) Just between the vents at the bottom of the front bumper (on the outside) is a small odd 'probe' - looks a bit like a small version of the things you get on the front of planes to tell them how fast they're going. Anyone know what it is ? My first guess was an outside temperature sensor, but then realised I don't have an outside temperature guage in the 996.

Thanks.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

1) Can't comment on this, I'm afraid.

2) Yes, that's the outside air temperature sensor. It will show the OAT on your OBC display if you have it activated.

 

[Tool Pants]

Sony did make a mini-disc that worked with the Becker radio. The mini-disc never caught on in the US. We would remove the passenger side air bag and put it there.[8|]

You can replace it with a Becker cd changer. If you have a 22 radio you can get an aux-in adapter to run other music devices.

The probe is the outside temp sensor. If you cannot see the temp on your instrument cluster then most likely it has not been turned on.

 

[Diesel130]

It will show the OAT on your OBC display if you have it activated.

Thanks richard - can it be activated, or is it a factory option only ?

 

[Diesel130]

Thanks - That's the one - a sony player. Mine is fitted in the boot on the passenger side, just behind the spare wheel. My see if I can find a becker cd changer somewhere then...

 

[Tool Pants]

If you have a picture I would like to see how the mini-disc is mounted in the boot.

We really do not remove the air bag and put it there. That was a joke picture.

But the lady owner of that Boxster did remove the air bag, mounted the changer, and put a fancy hinge on the air bag cover.

Then she went to the Porsche dealership because her air bag light was on....

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

ORIGINAL: Diesel130

It will show the OAT on your OBC display if you have it activated.

Thanks richard - can it be activated, or is it a factory option only ?

The OBC is fitted to all instrument clusers on 996's and Boxsters. It can be activated at any time with a PST2, which will give the outside temperature display on the dash. If you want to access the other functions of the OBC you need to fit a switch (or better still a control stalk) and connect 3 or 4 wires to a plug on the bottom of the instrument cluster. Similarly, cars equipped with e-Gas (M620, electronic throttle) can be retrofitted with cruise control, by connecting a control stalk and some wiring to the DME (ECU). There is an introduction with some links in the Technical Articles section.

If you would like to have the temperature display, get your OPC or independent to code it in the instrument cluster - it's a 5 minute job. If you are near me (Maidenhead, Berks) drop me an email and I can sort something out for you.