CDC-4 Dealer Install - WARNING - LONG POST!
04-28-2003, 12:34 AM
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CDC-4 Dealer Install - WARNING - LONG POST!
OK folks, as promised, here are the details, good and bad, behind a dealer installation of the CDC-4 Changer in 2004 U.S."S" model Cayennes. I can't offer an opinion on the same installation for PCM-II.
As background, I took delivery of my Cayenne S from my dealer here in Dallas on Saturday the 12th of April. Since my car did not have the changer installed at the factory, I asked the dealer to install it. Not a big deal since the car was pre-wired with the power and other connections as well as the mounting bracket behind the right rear access panel. The dealer said no problem, but we don't have the changer in stock. We'll order it and call you when it comes in. I check back on the 18th and the changer is in and schedule my appointment for the following Tuesday. So far, so good....
Day One (Tuesday)
The car goes in Tuesday morning at 0700 and they give me an 03 Boxster as a loaner with a promise to call later that day once the car was ready. In fact, my service guy asked me if I wanted to wait! I (thankfully) said no because I had meetings first thing.
I get a call late that afternoon and the service guy is really worried. He begins to describe what they have to do to get the changer installed...
(this is an approximation of the conversation)
"Well, since the left-hand bracket is not accessible because of the side panel cover, we had to remove the D pillar cover, move the right rear seat into its folded down position and remove the lower trim piece on the floor so that we could actually remove the fenderwell panel and get to the mounting bracket. We got the changer mounted, but the fiber optic connection is on the left side of the unit while the system amplifier is on the right side of the unit. We unplugged the fiber from the amplifier and plugged it into the changer as well as the power connections. We then started the programming sequence, and finally got the changer to work but could not get the radio to work. Would you mind if we kept the car overnight so we can talk with Porsche Dealer support in the morning to see what we are doing wrong?"
Of course my answer was, do whatever is necessary to get the changer installed properly. Then I asked how many labor hours they had into this. "We have been working on this all day long, and have made perhaps 4 or 5 separate phone calls to Dealer Support and other dealers I know like Brumos." Now, I'm worried - I have no intention of paying for my dealer to learn how to install these changers. I call my sales person who is completely mortified by my story. I end our conversation by flatly staking out my position - I'm not paying for dealer education. Within 5 minutes of that call, my service guy calls to assure me that I will not be paying for any labor on this effort. He apologizes profusely and tells me that he has talked with several colleagues at other dealers across the country, and it seems that I am one of the first to experience a "dealer install" on the CDC-4 changer! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
Day Two (Wednesday)
I don't hear from my service guy until well into the afternoon. When he calls, he says, "Well, I have good news and bad news." <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Now I'm worried..... After an extended conference call with Porsche Dealer Support, they determine why the radio won't work. It turns out that the MOST System (Media Orientated Systems Transport - see <a href="http://www.mostcooperation.com" target="_blank">http://www.mostcooperation.com</a> for details - it IS pretty interesting - even if 'Orientated' is NOT a word!) used to connect the head unit to the amplifier requires a serialized in/out connection. Each component has an "in" and an "out" port and components in the system must be hooked up in what amounts to a serial fashion. Without any changer, Radio "out" feeds Amplifier "in" and Amplifier "out" feeds Radio "in". When they added the changer, the dealer mistakenly assumed that a single connection was required. Instead, Radio "out" feeds Changer "in", Changer "out" feeds Amplifier "in", Amplifier "out" feeds back to Radio "in". Then my guy says, "Oh and by the way, the CDC-4 'kit' does NOT include the needed additional 10" fiber cable, nor does it include necessary fiber connection. BUT, there are 3 of them in the US and one is being shipped overnight to us. We need to keep your Cayenne one more day." What can I say?? No?
Day Three (Thursday)
I check with my service guy and the part is in! Joy of joys! Now they have to go back through the tear apart procedure from Day 1 because they put things all back together so as to not create any other problems. "We're going to try and have your car ready by the end of today." Unfortunately, I get no further calls, so we're off to day 4!
Day Four (Friday)
I get a call at 9AM from my service guy. The car is ready and everything checks out. He asks me if I can come by at Noon to pick up my Cayenne. I say "Absolutely!" <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> When I pick the car up, he shows me where the amplifier is located - it is up above and to the right of the location of the CD Changer. Oh, and by the way, that fiber connection? Well, it's on the RIGHT side (read the opposite side) of the amplifier - the side away from the changer. I am immediately reminded of the most elaborate (and over-engineered) baggage handling system I have ever seen - at Frankfurt Am Mein airport!
The moral of all of this you ask? Even though the US vehicles are pre-wired for the Changer, all of the needed parts are not included. <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> I will post the additional part numbers for the additional fiber run and connector. AND, this is not a non-trivial job requiring only an hour or so. My dealer invested about 25 labor hours and another 10-15 foreman/service tech hours to get this thing installed! I am reminded by the disclaimers you see on some of these goofy reality shows...... "Do NOT try this at home!"
Fortunately, the story ends well. The system is installed, I did not pay for the dealer's mechanics to learn this installation procedure and the system works GREAT! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" /> Kudos to Park Place Porsche here in Dallas for sticking to it and getting things worked out.
WHEW! <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />
Toby
As background, I took delivery of my Cayenne S from my dealer here in Dallas on Saturday the 12th of April. Since my car did not have the changer installed at the factory, I asked the dealer to install it. Not a big deal since the car was pre-wired with the power and other connections as well as the mounting bracket behind the right rear access panel. The dealer said no problem, but we don't have the changer in stock. We'll order it and call you when it comes in. I check back on the 18th and the changer is in and schedule my appointment for the following Tuesday. So far, so good....
Day One (Tuesday)
The car goes in Tuesday morning at 0700 and they give me an 03 Boxster as a loaner with a promise to call later that day once the car was ready. In fact, my service guy asked me if I wanted to wait! I (thankfully) said no because I had meetings first thing.
I get a call late that afternoon and the service guy is really worried. He begins to describe what they have to do to get the changer installed...
(this is an approximation of the conversation)
"Well, since the left-hand bracket is not accessible because of the side panel cover, we had to remove the D pillar cover, move the right rear seat into its folded down position and remove the lower trim piece on the floor so that we could actually remove the fenderwell panel and get to the mounting bracket. We got the changer mounted, but the fiber optic connection is on the left side of the unit while the system amplifier is on the right side of the unit. We unplugged the fiber from the amplifier and plugged it into the changer as well as the power connections. We then started the programming sequence, and finally got the changer to work but could not get the radio to work. Would you mind if we kept the car overnight so we can talk with Porsche Dealer support in the morning to see what we are doing wrong?"
Of course my answer was, do whatever is necessary to get the changer installed properly. Then I asked how many labor hours they had into this. "We have been working on this all day long, and have made perhaps 4 or 5 separate phone calls to Dealer Support and other dealers I know like Brumos." Now, I'm worried - I have no intention of paying for my dealer to learn how to install these changers. I call my sales person who is completely mortified by my story. I end our conversation by flatly staking out my position - I'm not paying for dealer education. Within 5 minutes of that call, my service guy calls to assure me that I will not be paying for any labor on this effort. He apologizes profusely and tells me that he has talked with several colleagues at other dealers across the country, and it seems that I am one of the first to experience a "dealer install" on the CDC-4 changer! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
Day Two (Wednesday)
I don't hear from my service guy until well into the afternoon. When he calls, he says, "Well, I have good news and bad news." <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Now I'm worried..... After an extended conference call with Porsche Dealer Support, they determine why the radio won't work. It turns out that the MOST System (Media Orientated Systems Transport - see <a href="http://www.mostcooperation.com" target="_blank">http://www.mostcooperation.com</a> for details - it IS pretty interesting - even if 'Orientated' is NOT a word!) used to connect the head unit to the amplifier requires a serialized in/out connection. Each component has an "in" and an "out" port and components in the system must be hooked up in what amounts to a serial fashion. Without any changer, Radio "out" feeds Amplifier "in" and Amplifier "out" feeds Radio "in". When they added the changer, the dealer mistakenly assumed that a single connection was required. Instead, Radio "out" feeds Changer "in", Changer "out" feeds Amplifier "in", Amplifier "out" feeds back to Radio "in". Then my guy says, "Oh and by the way, the CDC-4 'kit' does NOT include the needed additional 10" fiber cable, nor does it include necessary fiber connection. BUT, there are 3 of them in the US and one is being shipped overnight to us. We need to keep your Cayenne one more day." What can I say?? No?
Day Three (Thursday)
I check with my service guy and the part is in! Joy of joys! Now they have to go back through the tear apart procedure from Day 1 because they put things all back together so as to not create any other problems. "We're going to try and have your car ready by the end of today." Unfortunately, I get no further calls, so we're off to day 4!
Day Four (Friday)
I get a call at 9AM from my service guy. The car is ready and everything checks out. He asks me if I can come by at Noon to pick up my Cayenne. I say "Absolutely!" <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> When I pick the car up, he shows me where the amplifier is located - it is up above and to the right of the location of the CD Changer. Oh, and by the way, that fiber connection? Well, it's on the RIGHT side (read the opposite side) of the amplifier - the side away from the changer. I am immediately reminded of the most elaborate (and over-engineered) baggage handling system I have ever seen - at Frankfurt Am Mein airport!
The moral of all of this you ask? Even though the US vehicles are pre-wired for the Changer, all of the needed parts are not included. <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> I will post the additional part numbers for the additional fiber run and connector. AND, this is not a non-trivial job requiring only an hour or so. My dealer invested about 25 labor hours and another 10-15 foreman/service tech hours to get this thing installed! I am reminded by the disclaimers you see on some of these goofy reality shows...... "Do NOT try this at home!"
Fortunately, the story ends well. The system is installed, I did not pay for the dealer's mechanics to learn this installation procedure and the system works GREAT! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" /> Kudos to Park Place Porsche here in Dallas for sticking to it and getting things worked out.
WHEW! <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" />
Toby
04-28-2003, 01:38 AM
#2
That's not a long post!
Thanks -- that was a fun read and I was on the edge of my seat afraid of an unhappy non-ending like "they blew ten computers in the car, fried the ECU and have ordered a replacement car due in September... and I can't get a refund on the changer because it's not warrantied with the car..."
Do you have PCM?
If not, why not ditch the crappy Porsche stuff and get an in-dash DVD player/display (like a Pioneer all-in one unit) or go for MP3 or any number of options?
If you talk with audio installers, they're feeling the pinch as the manufacturers (perhaps with the exception of Japanese companies) are making their cars entertainment do-dads less and less friendly to the after-market equipment. I was told by a local installer (that did some of the junk in my Tahoe) that by the 2005 model year for all GM cars it will be practically impossible to connect OEM kit with after-market kit. F'rinstance, GM is making it tough to work with their OnStar satellite location and cell phone concierge service. So the conspiracy theory goes, companies like Delphi are concerned about losing a grip on some of their business -- looking at the Japan market (and also true in Australia) the token equipment in the car is practically a throw-away for anyone interested in audio or video. Humorously enough, it's apparently still possible to end up with a car with a cassette player in some markets even from brands like BMW and Porsche. I'd rate the system in the Cayenne as good enough to not want to replace it, although I'd probably replace the drivers to liven up the mid-range and make the bass a little less flatulent.
Even as the early photos of the cabin arrived before the car show debuts, I was disappointed with the measly incremental technology that Porsche continues to use.
The idea that Porsche can deliver an SUV with an A/V button but no "V" is ludicrous. I'd like to see Mr Porsche agree to build a Cayenne with zero a/v kit so I could go in and build whatever I want without first tearing out factory stuff.
The CD-based navigation in the PCM is also a joke -- why isn't this state of the art DVD stuff?
Why isn't it a touch screen, mounted up high and much larger?
It seems to me Porsche, in spirit, should offer the customer the option to do their own thing. I might try this on with my order -- I'm still trying to get to order the detachable anti-roll bars with buying the whole off-road kit of junk that I just don't want or need.
Okay, I'm just full of complaints today ...
Thanks -- that was a fun read and I was on the edge of my seat afraid of an unhappy non-ending like "they blew ten computers in the car, fried the ECU and have ordered a replacement car due in September... and I can't get a refund on the changer because it's not warrantied with the car..."
Do you have PCM?
If not, why not ditch the crappy Porsche stuff and get an in-dash DVD player/display (like a Pioneer all-in one unit) or go for MP3 or any number of options?
If you talk with audio installers, they're feeling the pinch as the manufacturers (perhaps with the exception of Japanese companies) are making their cars entertainment do-dads less and less friendly to the after-market equipment. I was told by a local installer (that did some of the junk in my Tahoe) that by the 2005 model year for all GM cars it will be practically impossible to connect OEM kit with after-market kit. F'rinstance, GM is making it tough to work with their OnStar satellite location and cell phone concierge service. So the conspiracy theory goes, companies like Delphi are concerned about losing a grip on some of their business -- looking at the Japan market (and also true in Australia) the token equipment in the car is practically a throw-away for anyone interested in audio or video. Humorously enough, it's apparently still possible to end up with a car with a cassette player in some markets even from brands like BMW and Porsche. I'd rate the system in the Cayenne as good enough to not want to replace it, although I'd probably replace the drivers to liven up the mid-range and make the bass a little less flatulent.
Even as the early photos of the cabin arrived before the car show debuts, I was disappointed with the measly incremental technology that Porsche continues to use.
The idea that Porsche can deliver an SUV with an A/V button but no "V" is ludicrous. I'd like to see Mr Porsche agree to build a Cayenne with zero a/v kit so I could go in and build whatever I want without first tearing out factory stuff.
The CD-based navigation in the PCM is also a joke -- why isn't this state of the art DVD stuff?
Why isn't it a touch screen, mounted up high and much larger?
It seems to me Porsche, in spirit, should offer the customer the option to do their own thing. I might try this on with my order -- I'm still trying to get to order the detachable anti-roll bars with buying the whole off-road kit of junk that I just don't want or need.
Okay, I'm just full of complaints today ...
04-28-2003, 09:38 AM
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<img border="0" alt="[offtopic]" title="" src="graemlins/offtopic.gif" /> When ATS installed the baggage system in DIA, it was a pretty big deal. But the issue there was more related to sortation problems and bags getting "lost" in the system. At FRA, there was a high-speed delivery belt coming up from the ramp that electro-optical sensors to detect when bags were arriving at the carousel dump point. When a bag was detected, the high-speed side stopped until the bag passed then started again. It was pretty amazing to watch. A bit over-engineered, but fun to watch.
Back to the point, here are the additional part numbers you need to get the CD Changer installed by the dealer....
996-645-140-01 CDC-4 CD Changer
955-642-304-00 Optical Fiber Harness (about 10" long)
955-642-321-00 Optical Fiber Connection
The list for the harness is $145.70 USD and the fiber connection is $4.73 USD. <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" />
Toby
Back to the point, here are the additional part numbers you need to get the CD Changer installed by the dealer....
996-645-140-01 CDC-4 CD Changer
955-642-304-00 Optical Fiber Harness (about 10" long)
955-642-321-00 Optical Fiber Connection
The list for the harness is $145.70 USD and the fiber connection is $4.73 USD. <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" />
Toby
04-28-2003, 02:26 PM
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Toby Pennycuff:
<strong>... sortation ... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Isn't that the past tense for something cooked in a fry-pan, tossed in butter?
<strong>... sortation ... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Isn't that the past tense for something cooked in a fry-pan, tossed in butter?
04-28-2003, 10:27 PM
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That's the TEXAN spelling for that "thang" you do with butter and a fryin' pan!
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04-30-2003, 09:32 AM
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If I remember correctly, the changer was around $1100. With the additional harness and connector that total came to around $1260 or so (with tax).
TBP
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04-30-2003, 10:30 PM
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Muchos Gracias Toby, I am still waiting for the dealer to get the CDC-4, and spare tire, and phone, and and and and... . Love the car, wish I had all the toys. Thanks again, Cay-Ute
