I’ve searched high and low but can’t find a definitive answer. Has anyone retrofitted USB c to the center console of a 991.2?

Any experience with this? Appears to be the right connector, but looking for any guidance.

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The bigger question is why? There are readily available cables and adaptors for every need

 

Honestly because I threw away every single usb-a cable I owned and really hate clutter and adapters if I could swap this out. And I would love a factory look. I bet I’m not the only one hence the post here.

 

So not worth the retrofit just to find out that the car play gets messed up in the end.

Just buy a new cable.

 

Can we just use USB-C to USB-A adapter like this?

 

Just throw this in the car charger, you are over thinking things....

 

This!

 

The cut-out in the center console of my '18 Targa 991.2 is square. That unit appears to require a rectangular opening. That and it requires more space behind it than the factory USB socket. The factory socket module clips into the square part that clips into the console. The USB-C unit you linked appears to be an all-in one unit. So you're 0 for 3 on that. It's the wrong shape, too deep and may not work with Carplay.

The added complication is some USB modules are 'different'. In that the PCM sees only certain ones as capable of providing a Carplay connection. I can't recall the part numbers that do/don't.

This is the one in my Targa:



And there's a right-angle connector on the cable that plugs into it. There's really no extra room in there for anything deeper. There's also no easy way to rearrange things behind that socket to do something like use an adapter in-between it and the factory cabling. You'd have a lot of center console disassembly involved.

I'm all for simplifying cabling but this may not be a realistic goal for the 991 center console socket.

 

yep, absolutely. It's in the center console, and ya don't see it, so I wouldn't worry about having to use an adapter.

But I'd just spend the same $8 on a short USB-A cable to simplify the connection and ensure compatibility.

 

No adapter, no charger, no USB swaps required. This is all you need:
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With this direction, you will not be able to use CarPlay though..

 

I'm doing this right now. USB-A to USB-C cable for iPhone 16 for CarPlay use.

 

Which is it? the adapter lets you use carplay in the correct socket, or not?

There are two main issues with wired carplay.

One is whether the socket is capable of being used for carplay at all. the pcm may not use all of the usb sockets for carplay. which one... depends.

The second is whether or not the USB cable you plug into the socket passes just power or also passes both power AND data.

Thus it's possible to have what looks like a suitable cable that doesn't work. There's no outward signs/markings on most power-only USB cables to tell you this. Your safest bet for determining whether a USB cable passes both is to use it to plug your phone into a laptop/desktop computer. If the computer sees the phone as a device then the cable is passing data (you may have to 'allow' your phone to be seen via USB). If the phone sees the computer as providing power, then the cable is also passing power.

I've not seen many, but I have seen at least one or two that passed data only WITHOUT power. Why? For USB devices that have their own power source, I guess.

It's a crapshoot out there with USB cables, and it's even worse when it comes to USB-C PD (power delivery) power supplies. That's a whole other rats nest.

If you're wondering why the confusion, it's because passing data requires running two extra wires through the cable. Extra wires means added cost. And for situations where you're just charging a phone, well, cheaper is ok. Personally, I throw power-only cables in the trash. Too many hassles trying to figure it out later.

 

Buy a wireless carplay adapter, buy one of the ashtray mounts sold here on Rennlist (by brockbr), buy the dc charging plug previously linked and then plug in an apple QI charger. Wireless carplay and simultaneous charging.

 

I ended up throwing a 60w usb c flush cig adapter into the passenger side outlet, running a 90 degree usb c under the passenger side center console and connecting to a rennline induction mount. I’ve got a wireless car play unit in the center console, but the glove box usb didn’t charge enough to keep the phone from draining, this set up solved that.