I have a 991.2 Targa 4S which yesterday ceased running. Starts for 1 second and immediately shuts down. I had it towed and local Porsche service center ran code reader on it. It’s showing a “VTS, Restart Inhibit” and “VTS, authentication” error. Codes are 80530F and 805108 respectively. Dealer service dept is telling me that they believe the Vehicle Tracking System unit has failed and the units are not currently available even out of Germany. Have pulled battery cables off and reconnected with no resolution. At this point they are counseling me to tow the car home, put it in the garage and cross my fingers that they can source a replacement VTS unit - they won’t even speculate on timing. This is all too crazy. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

wasn't PVTS opt-in? if so, can't they just disable it?

 

It is opt in and I have never subscribed to the Vodafone managed service. Somehow the VTS controller remains critical to the function of the vehicle regardless (so Porsche Scottsdale tell me). They are now advising I tow it and put it in my garage until some day when they can locate a replacement part.

 

... huh. so if the car can't talk to the controller, regardless of activation, it assumes someone performed an illegal and shuts down?

that's an oddly specific failure mode and pretty silly overall. I'd make a call to another dealership in another state (to ensure a different dealer network) to ask a second opinion -- perhaps ask the leading question like "I'm being told my VTS controller is toast and that's why my car won't start. would you be able to code it out so I can drive the car until a new one arrives?"

 

what are the part numbers they are waiting for?

maybe an independent has some better ideas to bypass this system?

 



 

This is a theft relevant part which means you can't fit an used one and you can't code it out.
This would be the time to lemon the car if possible...
Outside of that not sure what recourse you have, place the order to Germany and hope the inventory is not accurate (has happened to me many times with Porsche).

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Also make sure they check the wiring, a lazy tech will just say it's the module and then when you finally get it it turns out it was the wiring.

 

The module is apparently buried deep and requires a full dash pull out.

 

I couldn’t see my test attached to the OBD screenshot so reposting that intended text here
Thx guys. I have reached out to a local porsche Indy shop here for a 2nd opinion and have also escalated it to Porsche USA. I like the idea of coding it out to see if that works. Porsche scottsdale disconnected battery overnight so will see if that has any effect. I will suggest the code out procedure assuming no change. I also think it might be worth trying to connect (trial subscription to Vodafone) to tracking service to see if they can clear it. Thx again for your thoughts. I’ve included a screenshot below of error codes. I need to get the part number today.

 

If there truly is no stock and they open an order for you you are going to wait 6 months.
If the supplier used silicon that is in short supply you might be left out in the cold for 24 months (that is the current actual lead time for some chips).

And if after all that wait they are going to fit that new module and it doesn't work because the wiring was the problem, that would not be fun...

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From your diagnostic screen it would seem the module is not communicating with the car, in this condition activating the service would not make a difference.

I have not tried to code something like this on a Porsche but if it's like MB drive authorization system it would not be possible.
Maybe someone with Porsche workshop experience can chime in, if it was an option or not installed on some markets then it should be doable albeit you would need to find a Porsche coding specialist.

 

Well Porsche USA located a replacement module and is being shipped from Germany. Wallet draining labor to replace it. A near lemon may be headed to lemonade. Thx for the helpful posts.

 

Ah that's great, Porsche needs a new inventory system...
I will still bet it's going to be the wiring after they take it apart.

 

lol