When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
It's all good, found a used white hood that I didn't even need to paint.
How is your car coming? I can't wait to see it.
Slow but steady. The car is in a friend's shop getting its cage. Engine is ready to go in, transmission waiting for Audi and Porsche to get me the parts I need. And the piles of new parts waiting to go in, old parts waiting to go away have pretty much taken over the ground floor of my home! I hope Spring comes soon.
And the first tough lesson learned.... If you have hood pins, make sure they are latched before heading out....
I though I was being smart by using inconspicuous pins (Ill leave the brand out of it), they worked great in theory, but the first time I opened the hood, I forgot to latch the pins, since they weren't obviously unlatched, I missed it before heading out on track for my second session...
And THIS happened...
I did the same thing with my 996. Had to replace the hood windshield and roof panel. Now I have the stock secondary latch installed along with the hood pins.
Another lesson learned.. After having a rod failure on my first "real" session on track I had to replace the motor. New motor is an 08 going into my 06.
Lesson: Porsche changed the alternator, wiring harness, and ECU pinout in 07. All three pieces must be of the same model year. No idea what is different electrically, but Porsche went to great lengths to ensure they cannot be interchanged. I have heard from folks that have them mismatched that things seem to work just fine, but throws a warning light on the dash.
In my scenario, since I was not replacing the ECU, I had to keep the 06 alternator and modify the 08 harness (could have re-used the 06, but the new one was in much better shape).
I compared every single wire and connector... The only difference between the harnesses is the one alternator wire.
The key on the alternator plug is different. Plug looks the same, but will not insert because of the key. needed to swap the plug from the 06 harness.
On the 06 harness the blue alternator wire goes to pin 12 on the "B" ecu connector, on the 08 it goes to pin ? of the "?" connector. Luckily the wire is long enough to swap easily.
On the 08, it goes to pin 19 on connector C, well it does on the 07, which is what my car is.
I ran all last year with an 06 motor and alternator in my 07 car and had the battery light on. Last weekend I finally installed the 07 alternator (and re-keyed the connector), and the battery light is gone.
So yes, year of the alternator has to match year of the ECU; one wire needs to be moved at the ECU; and the "keying insert" in the connector at the alternator must be replaced as well (taken from one harness and installed on the other).
Another lesson learned.. After having a rod failure on my first "real" session on track I had to replace the motor. New motor is an 08 going into my 06.
Lesson: Porsche changed the alternator, wiring harness, and ECU pinout in 07. All three pieces must be of the same model year. No idea what is different electrically, but Porsche went to great lengths to ensure they cannot be interchanged. I have heard from folks that have them mismatched that things seem to work just fine, but throws a warning light on the dash.
In my scenario, since I was not replacing the ECU, I had to keep the 06 alternator and modify the 08 harness (could have re-used the 06, but the new one was in much better shape).
I compared every single wire and connector... The only difference between the harnesses is the one alternator wire.
The key on the alternator plug is different. Plug looks the same, but will not insert because of the key. needed to swap the plug from the 06 harness.
On the 06 harness the blue alternator wire goes to pin 12 on the "B" ecu connector, on the 08 it goes to pin ? of the "?" connector. Luckily the wire is long enough to swap easily.
Maybe I can help here, have been through this time ago: DME hardware is identical for all years.
On 2006 Cayman generator goes to B 12 (this is also for 733 and 741(?) DME software versions)
On 2007 and newer the Generator cable goes to pin C 19 (this is for 760 DME software versions alternator regulator BOSCH F 00M A45 302 , cable on pin 1 (round side) )
You do not need to change the alternator, it is enough to change the regulator which costs about 20 USD)
Above combinations should give you no DME generator error
Maybe I can help here, have been through this time ago: DME hardware is identical for all years.
On 2006 Cayman generator goes to B 12 (this is also for 733 and 741(?) DME software versions)
On 2007 and newer the Generator cable goes to pin C 19 (this is for 760 DME software versions alternator regulator BOSCH F 00M A45 302 , cable on pin 1 (round side) )
You do not need to change the alternator, it is enough to change the regulator which costs about 20 USD)
Above combinations should give you no DME generator error
Good luck with your project
Andreas
Thanks Andreas, that is interesting, and a very simple solution.
So you are saying that it is possible to use either regulator on either alternator? All interchangeable?
Now, as far as the regulator being $20, that is even more interesting. Must be the deal of the year. Is that from Porsche?