Went to buy a 997 - PCM issue, any advice please?

[PurpleFox]

Hi all

Firstly, thanks to all who have contributed to the many many threads on this forum, I have learnt so much here and have decided to go for a 997 gen 1. (Even the threads that scare me silly about the potential engine probs have been useful ☺)

I have viewed a few privately this week and went to see a 2005 c4s today.

There was an issue with the pcm - a few seconds after turning on it came up with 'System Error Navigation, telephone, radio, CD etc not available'. You press confirm and the screen then shows the selected radio station but no sound. If you press nav etc it just says something like not available.

I did some searching and whilst others have had the error there seems to be no conclusive fix, possibly either:
- Amp
- Connection issue with Smart fiber optic

We disconnected and reconnected battery, no difference. I did the three button reboot (forget the combo). The system did reboot but came back with the same error.

Car hasn't been used much so seller had removed the battery, he charged it and refitted so thinking it might be to do with this......

Such a shame as the owner was genuine and the car was great, if it weren't for this issue I am sure the deal would have been done.

Any thoughts appreciated as I am still keen on buying the car.

Thanks

[short-shift]

Used PCMs are readily available on eBay and are mainly 'plug and play'. They're not epxnsive... If you otherwise like the car and the price reflects this then that might be a good solution. Or, suggest to the seller that he buys a replacement PCM and gets it fitted.

James

[PurpleFox]

Thanks.
I did have a look on eBay earlier and saw one on there for £600.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272798152070

Is this about what you would expect? I might be looking at the wrong thing as you mentioned not expensive. Maybe as I am not yet a porsche owner my interpretation of 'not expensive' is different 😁

[Rockster]

PurpleFox said:

Hi all

Firstly, thanks to all who have contributed to the many many threads on this forum, I have learnt so much here and have decided to go for a 997 gen 1. (Even the threads that scare me silly about the potential engine probs have been useful ?)

I have viewed a few privately this week and went to see a 2005 c4s today.

There was an issue with the pcm - a few seconds after turning on it came up with 'System Error Navigation, telephone, radio, CD etc not available'. You press confirm and the screen then shows the selected radio station but no sound. If you press nav etc it just says something like not available.

I did some searching and whilst others have had the error there seems to be no conclusive fix, possibly either:
- Amp
- Connection issue with Smart fiber optic

We disconnected and reconnected battery, no difference. I did the three button reboot (forget the combo). The system did reboot but came back with the same error.

Car hasn't been used much so seller had removed the battery, he charged it and refitted so thinking it might be to do with this......

Such a shame as the owner was genuine and the car was great, if it weren't for this issue I am sure the deal would have been done.

Any thoughts appreciated as I am still keen on buying the car.

Thanks

WAG is the PCM's configuration got corrupted when the seller removed/connected the battery.

To restore this you'll have to take the car to a dealer and the tech will have to use the Porsche diagnostics computer. Well, the current owner/seller should do this. If this doesn't work you know *before* you buy the car the PCM is probably seriously hosed -- although there can possibly be a software upgrade to the system but when the car is taken in the service tech should be able to confirm this and if this is needed for this particular car -- and can adjust your offer price appropriately.

If the seller balks then adjust your price to cover the cost of a new PCM (get a quote first) and go from there.

Oh, whenever I come across a car that "hasn't been used much" I always like to mention mice...

Be sure there are no signs of mice damage anywhere. Check for mice sign. Look in top of the engine -- use a bright flash light. Check for bare patches of carpet -- mice pull the fuzz to line the nest -- and look on top of the plastic panels under the car for any mice litter.

[short-shift]

I'd certainly support the idea of the current owner getting the unit checked (either OPC or Indy) using a PIWIS diagnstic kit. Shouldn't cost much - say £50 or £60 for them to do that (they just plug in to the OBD port, I believe). But my point is that, if the PCM is faulty then it can be replaced with a used unit without problem. But I would look to teh seller to sort this before you purchase the car...

James

[PurpleFox]

Thanks for the advice. I will suggest to the seller that he gets it checked out and if not fixed then a ballpark figure so we can discuss further.

Thanks Rockster, carpets looked good but I will cheek for mice if i see the car again!

Error is similar to this so the system powers up but can't see the other components.....

[anonymous-user]

Cartronics do an on-site repair if you are nearby?

[PurpleFox]

Insert Coin said:

Cartronics do an on-site repair if you are nearby?

Thanks I have given them a call, they were very helpful on the phone. I am fairly local to them but the car isn't.

I will have a word with seller......

[jakesmith]

This is an error with the MOST fiber optic ring, it connects all the components listed in series and if one of them fails and doesn't pass the signal through, they all fail. It could be a very simple fault, such as a fuse for the telephone module or amplifier or similar. I would say it is highly unlikely to be a fault with the PCM unit

Did the previous owner install a Dension aftermarket iPod adapter, if so there is a bypass switch on it that causes this exact error message.

I would look at it a different way.

The PCM, Bose and telephone system, is hopeless. If you are keeping the car for several years, budget to have something a lot better put in. For £700 you can get a decent Pioneer APple Car play head unit, an amplifier and component speakers for the doors. Can probably get that fitted for £1k, take out the PCM, phone module and speakers, amp, sell it all on eBay probably get £400-£500 back.

If you can't be bothered... I would look at another car

[PurpleFox]

jakesmith said:

This is an error with the MOST fiber optic ring, it connects all the components listed in series and if one of them fails and doesn't pass the signal through, they all fail. It could be a very simple fault, such as a fuse for the telephone module or amplifier or similar. I would say it is highly unlikely to be a fault with the PCM unit

Did the previous owner install a Dension aftermarket iPod adapter, if so there is a bypass switch on it that causes this exact error message.

I would look at it a different way.

The PCM, Bose and telephone system, is hopeless. If you are keeping the car for several years, budget to have something a lot better put in. For £700 you can get a decent Pioneer APple Car play head unit, an amplifier and component speakers for the doors. Can probably get that fitted for £1k, take out the PCM, phone module and speakers, amp, sell it all on eBay probably get £400-£500 back.

If you can't be bothered... I would look at another car

No Denison, as far as I am aware it is standard. From what I had read online it did seem to be the most ring with either a blown fuse in a module or at worst a single faulty module with amp or phone being most likely.

The Pioneer stuff looks good and would certainly be in a different league in terms of usability but I would like to keep it OEM ideally.


The good news is that the owner has booked it in to get sorted on Wednesday and we have agreed a deal subject to it being fixed. So all being well, I will be picking it up at the end of the week

[PurpleFox]

I thought I would update this in case it is of any use to anyone in the future- the fault turned out to be a fuse for the amplifier as someone here suggested, caused when the battery was reconnected.

So the PCM was sorted, the car had a fresh MOT and I collected it Thursday - so far, very pleased with it.

Took it easy on the drive back from Bristol to Portsmouth as you can see:





Had an evening blast when the roads had gone quiet and it was a lot of fun. I am still nervous that is going to breakdown, which is something I usually feel with a new second hand car but hopefully that will fade over the coming weeks and it will get under my skin



[url]

[MrJuice]

PurpleFox said:

No Denison, as far as I am aware it is standard. From what I had read online it did seem to be the most ring with either a blown fuse in a module or at worst a single faulty module with amp or phone being most likely.

The Pioneer stuff looks good and would certainly be in a different league in terms of usability but I would like to keep it OEM ideally.


The good news is that the owner has booked it in to get sorted on Wednesday and we have agreed a deal subject to it being fixed. So all being well, I will be picking it up at the end of the week

I've got exactly the same problem. May I ask who the previous owner got it booked in with for repair?

Thanks