Fitting a bluetooth module to a 997 PCM2

[V6Alfisti]

I am picking up a 997 (2008) with the PCM2 Sat Nav unit.

A few questions:

1) Is this a Becker unit?
2) As this has the Nav/DVD unit, can I plug in the Bluetooth module without issue as I understand these normally plug into the CD changer port? or will it remove the ability to use the Sat Nav?

Thanks

[mankey]

V6Alfisti said:

I am picking up a 997 (2008) with the PCM2 Sat Nav unit.

A few questions:

1) Is this a Becker unit?
2) As this has the Nav/DVD unit, can I plug in the Bluetooth module without issue as I understand these normally plug into the CD changer port? or will it remove the ability to use the Sat Nav?

Thanks

Hi,

It is a Becker unit, but there isn't exactly a plug-in port you can use to connect your bluetooth module. I assume what you're talking about is something like the Dension device that essentially taps into the fibre optic (MOST) cabling. I used to have one with a previous car and it worked quite well.

Good luck with the new car - hope everything goes well.

[V6Alfisti]

mankey said:

Hi,

It is a Becker unit, but there isn't exactly a plug-in port you can use to connect your bluetooth module. I assume what you're talking about is something like the Dension device that essentially taps into the fibre optic (MOST) cabling. I used to have one with a previous car and it worked quite well.

Good luck with the new car - hope everything goes well.

You are right, I was thinking that there would be a cd changer connection at the back of the unit that you can plug into. It seems like this isn't the case with these

However there are variants that have the optical kit which I would need instead

[mankey]

V6Alfisti said:

You are right, I was thinking that there would be a cd changer connection at the back of the unit that you can plug into. It seems like this isn't the case with these

However there are variants that have the optical kit which I would need instead

If you've seen it; it's the orange plastic-coated cable. It's not complicated to do but you just essentially intercept the connection to the CD changer and another fibre connection goes on to complete the loop.

However there's a BUT here. I seem to remember that since the bluetooth adapter essentially appears to the PCM as a CD Changer, the CD changer may nolonger be accessible, whether it remains in the chain or not. It all depends on whether this matters to you.

[rabbitstew]

I went for a mobridge bluetooth unit, which basically works the same as a denison. It connects into the optical MOST chain between the head unit & the amp. I popped the head unit out (have to dismantle quite a bit of the trim around it, but its easy enough) and connected it in there.

Connect your phone to it and its as if you have the sim plugged into the head unit - all works seamlessly. Only downside is that you cant use the cars original microphone, but its easy to feed the new mic around up the front door pillar trim and around the window screen - i positioned mine on the rear view mirror after trying various positions. Other people have theirs above the steering wheel.

Depending on how your PCM is setup you may or may not need a garage with PIWIS to change some settings in order to get bluetooth audio streaming to work. My car didnt have a CD Changer, so I had to have it programmed to think it had one. Once thats done you just switch the "source" on the PCM to multi changer and hey presto, can stream any audio you want from your phone out of the head unit - spotify, play music, youtube, anything.

Personally, l would only go this route again if I desperately wanted to keep the PCM head unit. Looking back now it would have cost either the same or less to replace the entire PCM with an aftermarket head unit.

[mankey]

rabbitstew said:

Personally, l would only go this route again if I desperately wanted to keep the PCM head unit. Looking back now it would have cost either the same or less to replace the entire PCM with an aftermarket head unit.

This is an interesting point. As well as fittiing the Dension to an older car of mine, I subsequently changed the head unit on two other cars to offer something that at the time far surpassed anything that Porsche had to offer.

Porsche have raised their game in the last three or four years which doesn't make it necessary any longer.

[alfapork]

I have literally just completed this on my 996.2 GT3 using this unit (£118)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BR2ZZCY/ref...

Although I have a Becker CDR-32 this unit also works with the PCM. It connects via the MOST cable (optical cable) and emulates the CD changer. If your car already has a changer this will replace it.

My car did not have CDC prep in it so I had to ask the OPC nicely to recode the unit via the OBD port, which was £40.

To power it I ran a 5A jumper fuse from the existing fuse for the entertainment system, so I did not need to cut the car's existing wiring harness.

This unit is much, much cheaper than the denison but from what I can see has exactly the same functionality. It will also charge your phone via the USB port.

[rabbitstew]

alfapork said:

I have literally just completed this on my 996.2 GT3 using this unit (£118)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BR2ZZCY/ref...

Although I have a Becker CDR-32 this unit also works with the PCM. It connects via the MOST cable (optical cable) and emulates the CD changer. If your car already has a changer this will replace it.

My car did not have CDC prep in it so I had to ask the OPC nicely to recode the unit via the OBD port, which was £40.

To power it I ran a 5A jumper fuse from the existing fuse for the entertainment system, so I did not need to cut the car's existing wiring harness.

This unit is much, much cheaper than the denison but from what I can see has exactly the same functionality. It will also charge your phone via the USB port.

Wow. That is a lot cheaper and I wish that unit had been out a few years back when I did mine. My mobridge unit was nearly £500 if I remember correctly.

[alfapork]

Just to complete the install info, the unit sits underneath the head unit in the dash (on the 996 anyway).

There is a convenient bolt thread underneath the head unit (M8) which I used to earth it. I didn't stick it to anything but did wrap it in perforated rubber so it doesn't rattle about. I put the mic up near the indicator stalks and ran the wiring down the steering column.

The charge lead exits the trim hear the gear lever in the passenger side, I have a magnetic mount for my phone in front of the gear lever.

Having centre console delete on the GT3 makes install easier.

[V6Alfisti]

alfapork said:

Just to complete the install info, the unit sits underneath the head unit in the dash (on the 996 anyway).

There is a convenient bolt thread underneath the head unit (M8) which I used to earth it. I didn't stick it to anything but did wrap it in perforated rubber so it doesn't rattle about. I put the mic up near the indicator stalks and ran the wiring down the steering column.

The charge lead exits the trim hear the gear lever in the passenger side, I have a magnetic mount for my phone in front of the gear lever.

Having centre console delete on the GT3 makes install easier.

Thanks alfapork, also based on your username guessing we have similar taste in cars !

Very useful indeed, what is a 5A jumper fuse and can you tell an idiot a bit more about how you get power to the unit?

[alfapork]

V6Alfisti said:

Thanks alfapork, also based on your username guessing we have similar taste in cars !

Similar, but no V6 here!

V6Alfisti said:

Very useful indeed, what is a 5A jumper fuse and can you tell an idiot a bit more about how you get power to the unit?

Locate fuse box. Take out fuse for PCM. Plug this in. Plug in fuse for PCM into one port on the jumper, plug in 5A fuse to the other. Now you have a 5A feed without cutting into the loom!

[V6Alfisti]

alfapork said:

Locate fuse box. Take out fuse for PCM. Plug this in. Plug in fuse for PCM into one port on the jumper, plug in 5A fuse to the other. Now you have a 5A feed without cutting into the loom!

Lovely, I have also been a massive fan. Quite jealous !

Aha, that is very simple. I will get one of these on order. Before I do, is a mini, micro or standard fuse? Not currently near the car

Edited by V6Alfisti on Tuesday 16th October 15:08

Edited by V6Alfisti on Wednesday 17th October 18:14

[porscheaddicted]

alfapork said:

Locate fuse box. Take out fuse for PCM. Plug this in. Plug in fuse for PCM into one port on the jumper, plug in 5A fuse to the other. Now you have a 5A feed without cutting into the loom!

Beautiful!

[V6Alfisti]

alfapork said:

Just to complete the install info, the unit sits underneath the head unit in the dash (on the 996 anyway).

There is a convenient bolt thread underneath the head unit (M8) which I used to earth it. I didn't stick it to anything but did wrap it in perforated rubber so it doesn't rattle about. I put the mic up near the indicator stalks and ran the wiring down the steering column.

The charge lead exits the trim hear the gear lever in the passenger side, I have a magnetic mount for my phone in front of the gear lever.

Having centre console delete on the GT3 makes install easier.

Hi Alfapork,

So I have my unit today and I just wanted to check something with you.

My car is an 08 (CD changer enabled but not fitted) with the telephone module and PCM 2.1

I have received the kit today and have a few questions.

1) I have received a 3 headed MOST cable, however I just need to connect direct from the MR12VOLT unit to my PCM, can I just leave one of the heads blank? or do I need to undo the cables and remove one of the connectors? I suspect the latter !

2) It sounds like for power you use the piggy back method on the red and then hooked the black into a handy screw underneath your PCM?

3) I think I will also need to disconnect the phone module, presumably plugging the 'loop' cable into the end of the cable so it doesn't feel neglected !

[pete]

V6Alfisti said:

3) I think I will also need to disconnect the phone module, presumably plugging the 'loop' cable into the end of the cable so it doesn't feel neglected !

I can't comment on the other points, but assuming it works the same as my Dension 500BT, you should bypass the phone module using the MOST loop. On my 996 that was the most complex part of the installation, as the phone is under the driver's seat. You will probably also have to un-code the phone module using a PIWIS tester, as otherwise you'll get a "telephone module not present" error on the PCM every time you turn it on; I still have that on my PCM2 as I keep forgetting to ask my specialist to uncode it!