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As you may or may not know, some Cayennes were fitted with the Porsche Vehicle tracking system by the dealerships before being delivered.
This system used the 3G network and a GPS antenna, accompanied by two driver tags which should accompany the driver whenever they are with the car.
If you forget the tag, the system alerts Vodafone (the system operator) and they can track and remotely disable the car by cutting out the starter circuit.
These systems have a habit of failing - don't forget they are sixteen+ years old now and they have batteries installed in them for backup, which can seemingly explode.
When they fail, they can leave you stranded as you'll no longer be able to start your car.
I decided that was not for me and set about removing it, especially as they also contribute to battery drain, due to being energised the whole time.
Here's where the unit is and how to remove it and not leave your car bricked.
Disabling the VTS (Porsche Vehicle Tracking System, also called PVTS) module in a Porsche Cayenne (particularly the 958 generation, common in the UK) is not a simple DIY task like unplugging a fuse. It's a security-critical system integrated into the vehicle's CAN-bus network, and improper handling can leave the car in a no-start state or trigger permanent faults. Porsche officially handles deactivation through dealers using PIWIS (Porsche Integrated Workshop Information System) diagnostic tools, often following technical bulletins for issues like 3G network decommissioning, battery drain, or failed modules.Important warnings before proceeding:
This is not recommended as a home DIY unless you have professional-level diagnostic equipment (genuine or high-end cloned PIWIS III/IV with developer access), experience with Porsche coding, and a stable power supply (battery charger maintaining 13.5–14.5V).
Incorrect procedures can brick modules (e.g., BCM/front-end electronics) or require towing to a specialist.
In the UK, independent Porsche specialists (e.g., those advertising on 911uk.com, Rennlist, or Facebook Porsche groups) commonly perform this for £200–£500, often alongside key programming or BCM work.
Physical removal alone (unplugging the module) usually does not work — the car detects the missing authorization and inhibits restart (common fault codes: 805108 VTS Authentication Failed, 80530F Restart Inhibited by VTS).
For newer Cayennes (post-~2018/9YA), it's even more integrated with Porsche Connect, making disable harder/rarer.
Always back up modules via PIWIS before changes.
Official/Dealer Procedure (from Porsche Technical Bulletins, e.g., for 3G-era VTS issues)Porsche issued bulletins (e.g., around 2022 for 3G sunsetting, affecting many 958 Cayennes) allowing deactivation when the subscription is inactive or the module fails. The steps generally involve:
Verify prerequisites:
Connect a battery charger/maintainer (90A+ recommended) to keep voltage stable at ~14V during the process.
Confirm subscription is inactive (via Vodafone/Porsche — in UK, contact Porsche or Vodafone Automotive support).
Use PIWIS Tester (version appropriate for your model, e.g., 41+ for later cars) connected via VAS 6154 or equivalent interface.
Create a Vehicle Analysis Log (VAL/Pre-VAL) for documentation.
Check "PVTS operating status" — it should show "Contract inactive" (if not, request suspension from Vodafone first using keyword like "Porsche 2022 Suspension").
Deactivate via PIWIS guided function:
Go to "Additional menu."
Select "PCC/PVTS - deactivation" (or similar wording like "PVTS deactivation" in some versions).
Follow on-screen prompts — this reprograms the relevant control units (often BCM/Gateway/Rear-end electronics) to ignore VTS inputs and removes authorization checks.
The process may take 10–30 minutes; do not interrupt power or connection.
After completion, clear any related DTCs (fault codes) and perform adaptations if prompted.
Post-deactivation:
Test start multiple times.
Scan for remaining codes — a permanent "PVTS disabled" code may log but won't affect operation or show warnings if done correctly.
Some owners report no dash warnings after this.
If the module is faulty/locked (e.g., dead internal battery causing false theft detection), the above may fail — specialists then use "BCM dump" methods (reading/writing the Body Control Module EEPROM via tools like Autel IM608, Xhorse, or bench programmers) to patch out VTS flags. This is more invasive and common in UK indie shops for stranded cars.Alternatives / What Owners Actually Do in the UK
Take to a specialist: Search "Porsche VTS disable UK" or check forums like 911uk.com, Porsche Club GB, or Facebook groups (e.g., Porsche 958 Cayenne owners). Many use PIWIS clones or developer mode to force-disable.
If subscription lapsed but no faults yet: Some just cancel Vodafone and live with minor parasitic draw — but this risks future lockout.
Physical removal after coding: Locate module (often hidden: behind dash, under seats, frunk, or center console — varies by year), unplug/remove after deactivation coding. Without coding first, car won't start.
If your Cayenne is showing specific faults (e.g., restart inhibited), provide the exact model year, fault codes from an OBD scan, and symptoms for more tailored advice. Strongly recommend a pro — the risk of making it worse is high otherwise.
Key Details on Tracking/Telematics in 955/957 Cayennes
Factory telematics/GPS tracking was not standard or widely available as an integrated VTS module during this era. Porsche introduced more advanced factory tracking systems (like the 3G-era PVTS with potential no-start risks if faulty) starting around 2011–2013 models onward, often tied to Porsche Car Connect services.
The first-generation Cayenne (955/957) came with a basic factory alarm and immobilizer system (anti-theft via key transponder and control modules), but no dedicated GPS-based remote tracking, theft alerts, or subscription-linked telematics unit like in later Cayennes.
Retrofit options existed: Porsche and aftermarket providers offered GPS tracker/anti-theft retrofit kits specifically for 955/957 models (e.g., part numbers like 95504490234 or similar Cobra-style systems). These were dealer-installed or aftermarket add-ons, not factory pre-wired or integrated like in newer cars. Some owners added third-party trackers (e.g., via OBD or hidden units) for security.
No widespread disable issues: Unlike the 958 generation (where failing 3G VTS modules cause restart inhibition, authentication faults, or parasitic drain), 955/957 owners rarely report VTS-related problems because the hardware simply wasn't there from the factory in most cases. Common electrical gremlins in these older Cayennes involve batteries, PSM/ABS faults, transfer case issues, or CAN-bus problems from low voltage/age, but not a VTS module.
Regional notes: In markets like the UK (with Thatcham insurance incentives), more owners might have opted for dealer-fitted trackers, but even then, it was typically aftermarket/prep-kit based rather than a deep-integrated module that could immobilize the car remotely or via faults.
If your 955/957 has an aftermarket tracker installed (check for hidden boxes, extra antennas, or subscription alerts), it could be disabled/unplugged more easily without affecting core starting systems—unlike the factory VTS in later models requiring PIWIS coding. For pure factory setup, though, there's no equivalent module to disable.
If you're dealing with a specific symptom (e.g., no-start, strange alerts, or suspect hardware), share more details like year, exact model (Base/S/Turbo), or any aftermarket additions for better advice!
How'd you find the circuit? Is/was it indeed aftermarket? I looked through the drawings but gave up after Grok explained it may be aftermarket but dealer installed.
As you may or may not know, some Cayennes were fitted with the Porsche Vehicle tracking system by the dealerships before being delivered.
This system used the 3G network and a GPS antenna, accompanied by two driver tags which should accompany the driver whenever they are with the car.
If you forget the tag, the system alerts Vodafone (the system operator) and they can track and remotely disable the car by cutting out the starter circuit.
These systems have a habit of failing - don't forget they are sixteen+ years old now and they have batteries installed in them for backup, which can seemingly explode.
When they fail, they can leave you stranded as you'll no longer be able to start your car.
I decided that was not for me and set about removing it, especially as they also contribute to battery drain, due to being energised the whole time.
Here's where the unit is and how to remove it and not leave your car bricked.
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VTS Removal
