Questions about PCM

[Guest]

I've just purchased a 2 years old Cayenne S I have a couple of questions the PCM in it:

1) How do I find out the exact version of my PCM? It's DVD based as the previous owner paid extra to have an '05 spec when he purchased the car.

2) I thought that traffic alerts were included in the SatNav but I can't find out how this works. Anyone had any luck with this?

3) The salesman at the Guildford Porsche dealer told me that the newer DVD based system allowed you to specify addresses using postcode. I'm not clear how this is done.

4) What the latest map DVD for the SatNav and how much does it cost?

Thanks

Steve

 

[gdavison]

ORIGINAL: SteveWt
2) I thought that traffic alerts were included in the SatNav but I can't find out how this works. Anyone had any luck with this?

Traffic appears as blue lines (stationary) and blue traingles (slow traffic) on the map .. two ways to see traffic ... just zome out so you can see more of the UK .. somewhere there will be a jam ;-) Other way is hit the info button and the gives you two options TMC all and TMC route ... TMC route will show traffic on the route you are currently navigating .. TMC all shows you all UK traffic

ORIGINAL: SteveWt
3) The salesman at the Guildford Porsche dealer told me that the newer DVD based system allowed you to specify addresses using postcode. I'm not clear how this is done.

When entering a destination instead of the city simply enter the postcode .. it only takes the first 5 characters ie RG30 3

 

[Guest]

When I select Info on my PCM, I don't see any TMC related options at all.

Are there different versions of the DVD based PCMs?

 

[m4ttc]

I didnt think that this functionality was available on '05 cars. I had 2 '05 Cayennes and neither had this functionality. I have a Cayman now which is 06 and it does. Not sure of versions but think it is 2.1 that has the extras

 

[Guest]

Can you guys do me a favour please?

It appears that there are versions 2.1, 2.1A and 2.1B of the PCM. Please let me know which version you have?

You can do this by switching on the PCM depressing the "MAIN" and "TRIP" buttons simultaneously. The term "SW Versions" will appear, and you can scroll to the various components to display software versions using the right scroll knob. Select PCM and press the scroll knob.

If your PCM software version is "05024xxx" you are at PCM 2.1B, 04202xxx" is PCM 2.1A and "04035xxx" is PCM 2.1.

I have PCM 2.1.

Also my Navigation DVD is marked 04.2004. Is this the latest version?

Thanks

 

[Geoff_Fields]

You need Nav DVD dated 04.2005 or later for TMC functionality. I think the current DVD is 10.2005 although that may have been superceded recently? The software updates are "free" BUT the associated Nav DVD costs nearly £400 from your local OPC!

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info. My local OPC confirmed about £400 to get the latest maps. Are there any cheaper sources for this software? It seems like a rip off to me.

When you say the software updates are "free", are they included on the same DVD as the maps?

Anyone else need the upgrade and willing to split the cost with me (assuming it can be copied)?

Thanks

 

[Geoff_Fields]

The software updates come on CD format. OPC's have them and are included with TMC upgrade pack. Software auto installs with the help of a couple of button presses, takes 2 minutes. You will also get postcode search facility BUT for only the first 4 digits (useless). The Navteq mapping is not available from any other source other than your OPC (contractual licencing issues I guess) In conclusion don't waste your money. The maps are way out of date compared to the latest Navteq 2006 release. Why Porsche can't, don't or will not update their mapping is a complete mystery to me.[]

 

[Monty2]

Hi Steve, just this week I've been going through the same Q and A session with my own 18 month old Cayenne S. The DVD is 2004 without postcode recognition or TMC, last weekend while mine was in for minor warranty work I had a 56 Cayenne S loaner this had a 2005 Nav DVD, the map was still out of date and TMC told me about jam on M11/A14 junction so I turned off straight into another 7 mile jam. After sitting stationary for 10 minutes the Nav then altered showing the jam I was in. I have asked how much to upgrade (£400 plus) and decided that I would be upgrading to an already out of date map so will save my money and buy an updateable tom tom or Navteq for my Boxster S which has none of the toys. The best Nav system is actually in the Audi Q7 called MMI and I have heard the VW Touareg will be getting MMI in 2007 models which will sting as Cayenne and Treg go down the same production line at birth and Porsche has bought a sizeable chunk of this company (also note the Cayenne steering wheel stalks come out of an Audi A4/A6). Its actually a shame the PCM needs modding to accept the latest DVDs as I'm sure hookey ones will be available.

Paul

Ps the whole upgrade thing might be due to being jonny english and on the other side of the channel as when on holiday in france and belguim a few weeks ago I'm sure the Cayenne maps were more accurate and that included tracks in the ardennes forest and picnic areas.

 

[Guest]

Thanks very much for this very useful information. I had booked an upgrade with my local OPC next Tuesday but I'm going to cancel it now.
I used to have a £200 TomTom ONE in my old car which is considerably better than the Porsche navigation.
The fact that my OPC wants to charge me £65 labour for 2 mins work is where the rip off process starts.
It must be possible to get hold of the PCM upgrade CD from somewhere. Can we not ask for that separately from the OPC? Also, if it's included in the TMC upgrade pack, can maybe ask to keep the CD once it's used. This would at least allow a few of us to purchase it together.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

Try contacting Mike 997 he has the CD's. Might be able to work something out[]
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/showProfile.asp?memid=4267#

 

[Guest]

This is the latest. I got hold of the PCM upgrade CD's and the map DVD (dated 08.2005). The process should be to put the CDs in the PCM front loader and the upgrade should start. However, nothing happens when I load the CDs.

I called a couple of OPCs and they are very cagey about upgrading the PCM software without selling the maps. One of them (Colchester) even said that the PCM version is tightly linked to the maps and therefore cannot be done on it's own.

Any ideas on how I can insist on the free upgrade of the PCM?

Thanks

 

[Geoff_Fields]

Colchester are correct about versions but you do have compatible software upgrade and mapping DVD. However that upgrade is probably for 2.1A to 2.1B, which maybe your version 2.1 cannot recognise (yet[]). Other than that I'm afraid I cannot suggest a way to progress other than ivestigate my theory.
My 2005 997S is running 2.1A, which came with 10-2004 DVD.

 

[Guest]

So close, but yet so far.
Has anyone managed to get a "free" upgrade of the PCM firmware (not the maps) from an OPC?

 

[rjc]

Just wondered if anyone had any updates on this PCM upgrade story. I have a MY'05 Cayenne S that has the 2.1 version of the PCM. I'd certainly like to get the TMC feature added but very reticent to pay £400 for the privilege. Did anyone find a way to solve this issue?