Saw a listing on ebay with this pic in the post. The cluster looks like it has a trip computer, temp readings, etc. Was this / is this an option available on all 996's? The listing is a Turbo.



I bought my car used, so I have never ordered a Porsche. I thought I knew everything about my car. Do I just not know how to use the controls on my own car!?!?!

 

The trip computer was an option on early 996's standard on the Turbos.

Roy

 

Isn't is standard on all 996's now? I know mine has it and it wasn't listed as an option

 

have it on my 99 c4.

 

No, it's still an option, however all cars have the trip computer, it's just not turned on. There is a hack you could do to turn it on, but you need either a switch or the stalk that goes on the lower left side of the steering wheel

 

If you do not have the trip computer/OBC option you can do a reftroit, with a switch or the stalk. I have done about 30 of them over the past 3-4 years. With the stalk the parts cost about $175. With the switch the parts cost about $40.

Keep in mind that the instrument cluster for a 1999-2001 996 (non turbo) is different than the new style cluster that started in 2002. And when you do the retrofit on a 2002-2003 you do not get the dot matrix display like in the picture above, as the instrument cluster for a 996 with the OBC option is different than the cluster without the option. Jeff

 

Thanks for the info guys. Where could I learn more about doing the Mod/Hack? Anybody ever seen a link for it? After turing the trip computer 'on', what info is available?

Thanks!

 

The functions of the trip computer are explained in your owners manual. I made a DVD of 3 installs on Boxsters. 2 with the stalk and 1 with a switch. Same procedure for a 996 except a 996 has an oval trim piece around the hazard button that a Boxster does not have. Jeff

 

t sweat,
With the computer you get avg mpg, outside temp, range/miles to empty, speed alarm.

 

Google is your friend "porsche obc hack"

 

Thanks to Tool Pants, I did the OBC with stalk hack back in 2002!

 

Oggie-

Did you do the hack yourself? Or have a shop do it?

Didn't you have to change out the digital display in the tach? Or speedo?

Thanks.

 

I did it myself, but I had the dealer activate the OBC first, which you can't do without the diagnostic computer. If all you want it outside temp, that alone will enable it on a 1999-2001. You don't need to change the displays, just the steering column stalk -- you replace the 3-stalk version with the 4-stalk version, where the 4th stalk controls the OBC.

 

I have a 2000 C2. The instrument cluster displays the outside temperature, but I don't have the 4th stalk. Does that mean that the OBC is enabled, or does the temp show without OBC?