Dension 500S BT install probs
 

Hi Guys

Last night I installed a Dension 500S Bt in my 2006 997. So far the only thing I've been able to get working is paring it with my phone (Samsung Galaxy Nexus). I can make calls and receive them. But there have been so many problems, I'm totally frustrated now.

Whenever I turn on the PCM after a moment or so I get a message saying that the CD Changer cannot be found. I have to manually clear this message. I have disconnected the fiber optic cable from the cd changer (it never worked anyway) and attached a fiber optic loopback in its place.

On the phone, sometimes the bluetooth connection never happens. It just sits there saying connecting.

I've not been able to figure out how to play any music on my phone through the PCM via A2DP. The manual says this has to be turned on via settings, but doesn't say how to actually do so.

I put some music on to a USB flash drive and plugged that into the Dension. It recognizes that there is a USB connection, but still plays no music from the flash drive.

Finally the last issue is that when receiving a phone call there is just silence from the dension. The PCM indicates that there is an incoming call and my phone actually rings. But no audible ring through the speakers.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this thing working properly?

Thanks, Derek

I'm getting the same error each and every time I fire up the system. I've been working with Eric at BumperPlugs, who has been in contact with Dension directly, but so far, no solution. (Eric has been great, Dension has their heads firmly implanted in the horrible smelly dark place). I'm as frustrated as you. Everything works properly, but honestly, I now almost wish I had gone with an aftermarket head unit.

I feel your pain as well. I'm using the NavTV set up and it's not the best either...not Bluetooth option. I will be looking to replace my entire head unit with a Pioneer unit or to the iPad mini like Joe. The PCM is a difficult system to say the least.

Have you tried having a dealer or Indy use a PIWIS to reconfigure (ie. delete CD Changer). Sounds like your PCM is 'looking' for the CD Changer and of course can't find so it reports an error.

Well success... sortof
 

I've got all of the features in the Dension unit working now. The menu navigation is just awful. And the instructions on how to use it leave much to be desired.

I still have the error message on startup complaining about the cd changer not being found. I tried to remove power from the cd changer but that connection won't come out. I actually broke the plastic connector trying to pull it out and yet the wires are still there. Power is still going to the cd changer (I can see the fiber optic light come on), and I'm wondering if that is the reason why I'm still getting error messages from the PCM.

Does anyone know if I can just cut the wires on the back of the cd changer without screwing other things up in the PCM?

Derek

Did you remove the CD Changer from the MOST loop? If so, it shouldn't really matter if its getting 12 volt power. I think most Dension 500 installs take the place of the CD Changer (at least that is how I did mine). I never got any error messages upon start-up. If I recall when I interrogate the PCM (Push 'Main' & 'Trip' simultaneously) and look for S/W Levels and devices attached it might report 'No CD Changer' or something to that effect.

I mentioned in an earlier reply that you might have to have the CD Changer removed from the MOST ring via the PIWIS. You dealer or Indy can do this w/ no problem.

CD changer is out of the loop
 

Yes I bypassed the cd changer with a fiber optic loop.

But that blasted message comes up every time I turn on the radio. I would actually like to remove the cd changer because it never did work ever since I bought the car (the one thing I didn't check first). I can easily cut the 3 wires remaining that run into the changer. If it was just 2 wires I would have cut them already but that third wire has me concerned about just snipping them so I can finally pull the unit. Getting rid of the changer will allow a little more storage space in that cubby hole at the top of the frunk.

I will check with having the changer removed w/PIWIS by the dealer if nothing else works.

But me personally, I really avoid dealers like the plague. I haven't brought any of my cars to the dealers for service in more than 10 years now.

D

I too avoid dealers like the plague but the PIWIS might be the only way to rid the error message. Some Indy shops have them but they are (as well as the updates) $$$$$.

totally agree with the idea of changing PCM completely to another one from pioneer,kenwood, alpine..etc

from point of money... for me its useless to buy dension or navTV with 1-2 functions while with almost for same price you can buy high-end head unit with sooooo many functions & options

porsche PCM is a big stupid juke :mad::mad:

what other options are there?
 

I originally didn't know how difficult it would be to figure out how to configure and use this unit. I thought it was going to just work reasonably well with the PCM. I also kinda preferred to keep this part of the car as stock as possible. You know there is integration between the PCM and the displays in the instrument cluster. That would probably be all lost with an aftermarket head unit.

What other options are there that are in the same price category to the Dension 500S?

Derek

you have NavTv & Mobridge MOST for adding some missing options to PCM but its depend on PCM type + options on it
otherwise, leave PCM as its & use other product to do what you want...
e.g. FM transmitter with ipod option, aux, & USB
Blutooth devices with its speaker & microphone for wireless phone
camer in plate number with head mirror + screen
;););););););)

An update for any of you thinking of buying a Dension 500s (Bluetooth).....JUST FORGET ABOUT IT!

I had one fitted to my 997.1 (PCM 2.1) 4 months ago and had nothing but issues from day one. Weak Signal, dropouts, erratic audio signal, and CONSTANT issues with ignition start up which led to amplifier failures, etc, etc, etc. (not to mention ****ing around with my dash lights).

Then yesterday the finale.......on a bluetooth phone call and then a big BANG through the speakers......and a funny smell........and smoke in the cabin coming from behind the dash..... JESUS!

Took it to the audio specialist who fitted it (and they were closed down), went to another authorised reseller to find out the Dension unit had fried itself, lucky no other damage..

Long story short, I got a pile of advice and tech knowledge and agree to fit a Mobridge Bluetooth unit. MUCH BETTER.

Now the claim on Dension which will probobly take forever....and disappoint me.

Be warned.

I feel yer pain...

Last November I had a complete Dension unit installed, which has just not been right since day one. Eric at BumperPlugs was great about staying on the job, trying to help ferret out the problems, but the sticking point was Dension themselves. I'm not sure how many help tickets Eric generated, but Dension never did come to a resolution. I never experienced a complete failure of the unit, but after a while I was tired of continually complaining, just as I am sure that Eric was tired of seeing my emails come across his computer.

Just today I solved that problem. I went and had a ALPINE INE-W927HD (http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ine-w927hd) 7" touch screen (with Nav, Bluetooth, Sat, iPod connection, HD radio, etc, etc), installed by Al and Ed's Auto Sound in Marina Del Rey CA, using a NavTV interface for the connection to the MOST system. IT ROCKS!! All in one, no more clunky interface or difficult controls.

As a result, I have a slightly used Dension 500 BT, a fully functional Porsche PCM with faceplate, and a Sirius radio tuner that I will be selling at a good price. (TBD)

How did you rule out a totally inept installer with no knowledge of Dension or Porsche's MOST bus as being the cause of your problems vs the Dension unit itself ? Was planning on getting the 500S BT02 unit for the Bluetooth feature but sounds like a waste of time and money. Lots of cheaper ways to get hands free calling.