2012 Cayenne S 75K miles purchased @62K miles non Porsche dealer. No warranty.
DTC codes are:

1. DME (01)
1.1 U0414...check transmission control unit fault memory content

2. All wheel drive (02)
2.1 000125 PSM activation by all wheel drive control
2.2 000110 Torque trasnsmission faulty

My local shop is recommending replacement of the x-fer case stepper motor??? Any thoughts???

OK here is an update. Finally got a 2nd opinion at the Porsche dealer. Front & rear diff's all check out. Transmission checks out. Fault is with the transfer case. Replacement quoted ......I had to sit down @ $5664.97. They have no tools or authorization to replace the stepper motor. What I was told is that at around 1000 NM the case faults out???? More discussion on this when I visit the dealer in the next couple of days. I can have the stepper motor replaced at the local Indie shop for around $1000 which was their initial recommendation prior to the dealer visit. No guarantees that this will fix the problem (could be the clutches) but is directionally correct. If the stepper motor replacement alone does not fix the issue then that is sunk cost. X-fer case fluid is clean no issues thanks to this and other forums on this topic.

FYI my PiG has the -108 X-fer case that must of been replaced prior to my ownership.

I have more research to do on the stepper motor functionality but wanted to solicit opinions in parallel. Thanks in advance for any advice on a cost effective path forward.

 

You say that the transfer case fluid is clean. Did you replace the fluid as many are suggesting has actually fixed their situations?
I am curious as to the same and how often that works vs when it actually needs replacement.

FWIW these transfer case failures are getting out of hand. There is clearly a design issue here and Porsche isn't stepping up which is unfortunate. BMW had a totally different issue that was a major failure with their 8 cylinder twin turbos, they are awful by the way, and they at least stepped up and fixed the associated issues regardless of whether the car was under original warranty. They called it a customer service program or something like that - avoiding the tag of a recall.

 

I have replaced the fluid proactively when I purchased the vehicle as I wanted to zero out all of the fluids and major (40K) service parts with a vehicle of unknown history. I have since replaced the X-fer case fluid at every 10K. These are new fault codes. It is a bit of a crap shoot......spend a $1000 and hope it gets fixed or spend 4 or 5 times that much onus now on dealer??? When mine fails it essentially becomes a rear wheel drive vehicle based on my snowy driveway test last week. Drives fine other than the yellow warning icon in the dash. It only takes a hundred yards or so of driving before the fault happens you hear the change in the drive line. After that all seems normal but the warning lights and reduced functionality.

I'm leaning towards buying a used stepper motor on-line for around $225 and see if that fixes it.

 

OK.
That sounds like a very different issue than the typical transfer case shudder / lunging issues. Good luck if you opt to try your plan B!

 

is there a way to just unplug the connector to the stepper motor? see if the codes change?

 

I think we tried that will check with the shop after Christmas. Thx for the suggestion I will re-check.

 

2nd, just unplug the connector to the stepper motor, seems to be the way the dealer determinants a bad XC. good luck. Others have paid ~$3,100 -3,500 for a new XC installed.

The parts are $2,500.00 (discounted)

 

Stepper motor did not work. Issue is with the X-fer case itself. Going to local dealer for replacement. Pulling the connector gave same AWD fault as before. Thx for the replies on this forum.

 

did it pep it up when unplugged? seems like if you are not turning those extra wheels you would get a little more performance.

 

You get the AWD fault without the servo plugged in. My case is not grinding I believe the clutch packs are worn out as the X-fer case "trips out" as the servo tries to apply torque. My issue is not the typical fault syndrome.