Hi,

I have a PCM 3.1 with the lastest release, V3.43.

I can see there is a V4.

Is it a new release of software or a new hardware ?

BR

 

PCM 3 and PCM 4 are different headunits, the software is not compatible between the two. There's a thread out there about retrofitting a PCM4 into a car that had PCM3 from the factory, but it's far from trivial.

 

The early version of PCM3.1 from 2012 and early 2013 can only be upgraded to V3.43 firmware. The later version 4 of PCM3.1 from later in 2013 thru 2016 has the jukebox, access to Aha radio online services and email/texts and can be upgraded to the V4.76 software.
Jim

 

How I can check I have that, because my PCM 3.1 V3.43 have a 6 disc inside, is it the jukebox as you said ?

BR

 

when you press the SOURCE button it will display: AM,FM,SAT,DISC,JUKEBOX,AUX,AUX BT.

The Jukebox is 40GB of the 100GB HD drive on the version4 PCM3.1. It allows you to download up to 5,000 songs on a thumb drive through the USB port to the jukebox. The songs can be organized into folders on the thumb drive. I have 32GB of music installed on mine and it will search by artists, albums, songs and genre and includes album art. It is a bit clunky but I use mine often as I display the songs on the cluster screen and search with the steering wheel stalk without looking at the PCM or the phone. The jukebox was new to the version 4 and not on the earlier PCMs.
Jim

 

Does anyone know if the version 4 PCM3.1 headunit (from 2013-2016 cars) can be swapped into cars with earlier PCM3.1 units (2012-2013)? Plug and play?

 

According to the Porsche PCM 3.X Overview “ Later PCM hardware versions cannot be retrofitted into earlier vehicles “ (see screenshot below). Jim

 

@Jim981CS That's a shame too. I have a 2017 Ram Limited. It came with a version of CP that allowed contacts to be shared, music, calling using Siri handsfree and maybe some other stuff, but there was no physical CP interface onscreen. It wasn't until 2018 when they went full CP onscreen. So I purchased a later model Ram/Alpine head unit that has a full CP interface and it works across the board including climate control and everything else that can be adjusted/interacted with including the hydraulic suspension. I hate when manufacturers put gateways between products so they cannot be upgraded easily.

 

I'm reasonably sure that you can drop in the v4, it'll just require some coding. at worst you'll need to splice some wires.

as I said before, you can put a PCM4 into a 991.1. That's definitely a different connector though, you'll need to do some wiring on top of coding.

 

Yes, it can be. I retrofitted a 2016 PCM3.1 running V4.76 into my 2014 991.1 GT3 without issues (other than the need to recode with the VIN-specific code for the different headunit). No physical changes, no extra connections, no splicing required - just the code then it's plug and play.

James

 

Ok I cheked and I don't have Jukebox, so I have 3.1 for sure, Thank you for your advice.

 

If you're thinking of buying a later PCM 3.1 that has the Jukebox capability, you can check for this by looking at the two main labels on the unit. These are often included in ads, for instance on ebay, to allow prospective buyers to know what the spec is. In my experience, ebay (reputable sellers) and breakers yards (accident write-offs) are good sources for replacement PCMs.

Firstly, there is a small label on one side of the PCM. This will show the build date. December 2012 seems to be the changeover point so units manufactured from the start of 2013 are almost certain to be the later, V4, spec of PCM.

Then there is the larger label printed on the underside of the unit which gives a lot of spec info. However, one line is particularly useful. Look for "Grundgeraet"; it the unit is identified here as 9612 then it's an older, pre V4 spec. If it is identified as a 9633 unit then it is the later spec, with Jukebox and so on.

James

 

James,
What was your original unit in your 2014 GT3 that you retrofitted with the 2016 PCM3.1? Was it a base CDR or an inoperable PCM3.1? What was the original firmware, V3.43 or V4.76?
Jim

 

James,
Good information on the labels to look for on an eBay PCM purchase. I would also look at the connections on the back of the PCM to see if it matches the options on your car as some cars might not have XM radio. Also verify if it is a Bose or Burmester sound system as I don’t know if that makes a difference.
Jim



All possible inputs on PCM3.1

 

I am UK based and my car was originally fitted only with a CDR unit (so no nav capability), which was the base audio spec in the UK. I first of all retrofitted an early (V3) PCM3.1 before upgrading to a later (V4) PCM3.1 that offered the jukebox facility and, importantly for me, also the digital radio option (DAB in Europe).

James