Multi Function Steering wheel upgrade from non

[david2455]

Update:

So I took the 987.2 to Richard and he kindly switched on the multifunction, thanks Richard, and it works perfectly. In summary then the retro-fit MFSW on a previously non- multifunction 987.2 only needs (the wheel and) programming and whilst Richard was pretty good with the PIWIS2, it looked a straight forward change! No other modification. Richard could see an airbag fault, which cleared, presumably caused by me changing the wheel without cutting the battery power.

Next I'll have a go with the 981 and see if that can be made to work without further modification (this is a non heated MFSW). However following comments I did get a paddle version form OPC Silverstone (about £650) and I am very impressed, it certainly enhances the interior and makes the manual shift much easier.

 

[david2455]

So, loved having the multi-function on the 987.2 even though the wheel was a bit archaic. However, my good lady has moved onto a Range Rover following an incident with the 981 and a large gatepost! Tricky dilemma, keep the 987.2 or the 981, cos I can't drive both? I love the 987, but the 981 wins...so steering wheel project Part 2 begins (Oh, will keep my wife too!).

The 981 (PDK), with a replaced side mirror assembly, currently has a Sport Design steering wheel, which is very nice, but no controls, so I have to lean over a good 300mm to adjust the radio volume or answer the phone; the 987 made me very lazy. To upgrade this to MF, I understand I need;

1. MF steering wheel - on its way, a new GTS style complete with smaller airbag, paddles and dinky buttons.

2. an interface from a guy in China - i'm not clear why though as the 987 didn't need anything

3. a special hex code from a guy in Russia (??) or my local, Silverstone OPC - again we didn't need this for the 987, but 'irb26' above, was pretty sure this is required

4. programming using PIWIS2 - by OPC or Richard if you're up for it again?

Does that sound correct for anyone with experience? Anybody know the whereabouts of the guy from Russia with codes, or an alternative?

 

[david2455]

Ok, I have the 3. special hex code from http://www.code-porsche.com/ ....China next!

 

[david2455]

The interface 2. is on its way from China (https://gpsadapter.us) , should have everything here by the weekend, then just need help with the PIWIS update.!

 

[Tom__P]

Hmmm. Are you sure? I have enabled the rain sensors (which are fitted to all 981s, but not always activated) and I know for sure that you can enable PSE without activation codes. As you say, it is done by changing the Vehicle Data and then running the automatic coding routine. I have had to get codes when doing map updates, and I know they are required when retrofitting other add-ons for the PCM (Bluetooth, USB Media, etc), but I would have thought it unnecessary for MFSW. If you are sure, can you point me in the direction of the procedure, before David goes swapping the wheel.

Hi there,

Apologies for high jacking the thread, but i had not heard about the rain sensors on the 981 before. So it just needs activating and its fully functioning? How does it work? Does it become active when you move the stalk to the intermittent position?

Cheers,

Tom

 

[david2455]

All done! Added the 'China' interface to the new wheel, carefully following the detailed instructions; a bit fiddly but not complicated, the plugs only fit one way (the interface substitutes for a new clock-spring, so you don't need both) and then the wheel to the car. The paddles worked fine, but don't respond to both being pulled back to get neutral. Then off down to Richard, who completed the programming with apparent ease, together with the code from Dmitry (Russia). I now have full MF steering wheel, a disabled MF stork, as I guess you can't have both! Still can't get the double paddle neutral (though I'm not concerned) as the 981 only appears to have options for MF wheels or Paddle wheels, maybe the 718 has both. So a pretty straight forward process, does anyone fancy a Sport Design wheel, now surplus and destined for e-bay.

So the steps for Project 2 (and different for the 981 vs the 987.2) were as above 1-4; easy to deal with Dmitry in Russia to get the code (within the hour); easy to deal with Paul in China to get the interface (3 days), import duty was £22.00.

Oh and yes I have rain sensitive wipers too, just switch to the intermittent wipe and they are moisture dependent for acting, much improved. Interesting that they only needed activating, I wonder what else there is that can be easily added!

 

[david2455]

All still working well with the new wheel, which looks like the 718, much more modern and saving my arm all that movement back and forward to the PCM! But finding the, now redundant stalk annoying, so I decided to finish the project and remove this. Apparently this can just be taken off, like a 987 as the connector on the back links it to the wiper stalk (I'll try this later just to check). There are a number of replacement stalk assemblies available (thanks for your help Richard), but you need to check the options and I have the headlight cleaning (never used) which is a bit less common, so I decided to buy the replacement from OPC Silverstone (always helpful!) and I fitted it yesterday without issue, all working correctly (including the auto-rain sensor) and now no spare stalk. Out of interest, I did the fitment without disconnecting the battery, risking an issue with the steering sensor I know, but potentially benefiting from not losing any settings and it paid off. The airbag removal replacement wasn't an issue, I've done that before, but I was able to remove the clock-spring from the stalk housing, without unplugging it from the car, so no resetting of the angle sensor (or anything else) required.

 

[Cozza_987]

I did it the other way round - fitted a 981 MFSW to my 987.2 Cayman, so yes, it will work. You will need to code the car afterwards for the system to recognise the buttons. I did it myself (I have a Porsche Tester) but a decent indy or Porsche Centre should be able to do it. If you are anywhere near me (Maidenhead, Berks) I would be happy to do it for you. Send me a PM if I can help.

Hi Richard,

I'd like to bend your ear on this if I may...

I have tried retrofitting a 981 MFSW to my 987.2 non-MFSW, but am having problems...

[ul][*]Everything works (horn, no airbag faults, illuminated buttons) except for all the multifunction buttons[*]I took it to PorschaWerks in Coventry who were unable to get it going with their PIWIS 2; the gent said I may need to remove the on-board computer stalk (bottom LH stalk) as all he could see was the "menu" button (diamond icon) responded in the PIWIS, but none of the other buttons did anything.[/ul]I have checked all my part numbers:

[ul][*]Steering column module: 997.613.289.01[*]Clock Spring: 997.613.045.11[*]Original 987.2 Wheel (non-MFSW): 997.347.803.51[*]Retrofitted 981 Wheel (MFSW): 991.347.803.56[/ul]As far as I can tell from the parts catalogue, no other modules are required as the multifunction module (997.613.445.03) was discontinued in MY09 (mine is MY10), so I assume the steering column module or the MFSW electronics supersede this.

Any help or advice you can provide will be most helpful!

Cheers,

Cozza

 

[malarcy]

I did the same upgrade on my previous 987.2 - 981 MFSW PDK wheel onto 987.2 PDK - straight swap - but needed the MFSW activated in the PIWIS - without that (from memory it was only the "Menu" button that worked.

If the indy just looked for button operation without activating the function ( and I think it needs activating in a couple of places - but I may be wrong on that) then they probably wouldn't see any other button actions.

You certainly don't need to remove the OBC computer stalk.

 

[Cozza_987]

Thanks!

I may be able to get hold of a Durametric Pro - do you know if MFSW activation is possible (I know some coding is limited, but not sure about activations)?

 

[malarcy]

Don't know but would guess yes - the Durametric support guys are very responsive - dont ask for serial numbers or whatever, so suggest drop them a mail.

 

[kris.deboeck]

Hi! First of all, thank you for this info ! I also have the MFSW from a 991 installed on my 981, with the GPS adapter (as I also did not have MF on my Cayman). I got the multifunction hex code as well. So last step is the PIWI coding. However, I have a Foxwell NT510 in which I seem to be able to add the hex code as well. However, I tried it a couple of times and doesn't seem to work. Anyone on here has some thoughts? If not, if I get the PIWI2 software, how do I proceed ?