LVDell

Dension install in 996 Turbo with CDR23 (complete step-by-step with pics)

Car: 2003 Turbo
Head Unit: CDR23 (MOST bus based system)

So I spent hours reading up on the install to make sure I knew how to install this unit before I tackled it. The one thing I found was NOBODY has posted a simple thread that details step-by-step what to do.

There is a thread over in the 997 fourm that is almost 600 posts long and while it has some great info, it's VERY DIFFICULT to get anything from it. Took me several hours to read it. And between my frsutration that there was not a single thread docoumenting a DIY and the fact that somebody posted in that monster 600 post thread that somebody needs to do it, I decided it was time to make one for the next guy that needs the help.

LESSONS LEARNED:
A few things before you get started. I would highly suggest getting the ipod extension cable if you plan to install your ipod in the cabin versus the front boot. The included cable is VERY short and will just barely reach to the glove box.

Also, check to see which type of connector you have. If you have a Yazaki connector instead of the more common Tyco then you will also need to order the Yazaki adapter. I had to AFTER the install was almost comlpete! It's very easy to check ahead of time by looking at the connector type that goes into the amp. IN the picture, the Yazaki connector is the larger opaque one and the smaller clear one is the Tyco. The Yazaki can also be black, etc, depending on the plastic color the vendor uses. The bid difference is the size. Yaz is bigger.

As far as removing the fiber optic lines from the connectors you need to first remove the locking piece (it snaps down in the middle of the connector and wedges between the two lines to hold them in). Remove that piece first. Just snaps in and out. The remove the fiber optic lines from the connector after the lock is removed you just use an eyeglass screwdriver or the such to lift up gently and not very much the tap that is holding the line in place.

Install:

1. Removed the battery from the front boot.

2. Removed the rubber gromet that is behind the battery on the firewall

3. Cut an "X" into the gromet so I could fee the two wires through to the cabin (the aux-in race cables for the sat radio and the ipod cable.

4. Used a coat hanger with the two cable taped to the end to get them easily fed down to where the pedals are.

5. Removed the tape and then ran the cable to where they would have their final install location.

6. I put the ipod cable in the rear center console so I needed to remove the center console to run that cable as well as cut a notch in the plastic cover plate under the rubber insert in the rear center console so I could feed the cable through.

7. I ran the aux-in rca cables to my XM radio SkyDock for the iPhone.

NOW FOR THE DENSION UNIT INSTALL

8. Rather than tap into an unswitched power source, it was much easier to just run right into the battery since Dension include an in-line fuse with their power wire. The Dension unit requires an unswitched source so the battery is the way to go. I also tapped into the grounding block for the battery as well.

9. Now for the most "difficult" part of the install. Running the fiber optic lines. I needed to brush up on how the system works to understand it. Basically, think of the MOST Bus system as a circle. Fiber optic light send the signal in this circle and direction is VERY important. All the connectors (both in the car as well as the Dension) have "--->" and "<----" arrows stamped so you can make sure you are running the proper direction. The easiest way to insert (a bridge if you will) the Dension into the fiber optic loop is at the amp connection.

10. Remove the connector from the amp (2 hard orange wires) and remove the line that is going "IN" marked by the arrow pointing INTO the amp. This wire now becomes the "IN" on your Dension unit. I also cut away the black fabric wrap on the two fiber optic lines so I had some slack to play with making the connections easier.

11. Since I had the Yazaki connector type I just needed to run the original "IN" fiber optic cable that went into the amp to the "IN" on the Yazaki harness. It already comes with one cable with a Yazaki connector in it which will be in the "OUT" side of the harness.

12. The "OUT" on the Yazaki harness no goes into the "IN" on the amp connector that is now vacant.

13. If for some reason you do NOT need to use the Yazaki kit (since you have Tyco connectors) then you would do the same process but with the Tyco connector harness included with the Dension.

14. Here is what the loop should now look like starting at the car's fiber optic harness you removed from the amp. Amp IN is now Dension IN. Dension OUT is now Amp IN. I drew a picture of what it should look like before and after.

15. Now test all your connections by replacing your battery and firing up your car selecting "CD" on the head unit. MAKE SURE YOUR CD CHANGER OPTION IS ACTIVATED. If you do not have a CD changer already in the car, the dealer will need to use the PIWIS to alert the system to be able to see the CD changer present which is what the Dension unit needs to make itself known.

16. I used heavy duty velcro to mount the Dension unit and Aux-in piece to the front boot carpet so I didn't have to drill anything

Feel free to ping any questions here if you get confused. I have attached pictured of just about every step I listed.

A big thanks to Eric at Bumerplugs for helping me out along the way and offereing a great prodcut at a very good price!

I'm sure after reading this and remembering a few things I'll post back a few more hints, etc..

LVDell

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LVDell

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garrett376

I guess I could google it, but what's a Dension?

Eric - Plug Guy

MUSEUM piece! Excellent write-up, and even better level of patience. Dell, you really were great to work with on this. Crazy to have so many steps to get there, but I appreciate your patience as we got all the answers and you solved each issue (had Yazaki, though Porsche claims only early '03 Cayennes had it).

Appreciate the post and the info.

Thanks.

Garrett: Dension Gateway 500 is the ipod integration unit we have sold for years - it allows full digital integration of your iPod ( and Bluetooth if PCM ) for your fiber optic Porsche (and other vehicles) '03-'08.

Head to BumperPlugs.com and click the Order tab, then the details are linked beside the item on the Order page.

Email me with questions anytime: eric@bumperplugs.com

LVDell

http://dension.com/index.php?pageID=11

Thanks Eric. I owe a great deal of the project to your PATIENCE!!! Not too often you find vendors helping a customer on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings!!!

garrett376

Interesting, and nice to know... I have an 03 C4s that could use such a thing...

Thanks for taking the time to share.


... now where can I mount my iPad?

philooo

Great DIY for the dension gateway for porsche 996. Is there a place online that regroup all the Porsche 996 DIY ? would be great to have this all regrouped under one roof. I understand renntech has couple good DIY, is rennlist firendly to renntech ? or is there some competition in there

I am a web designer and after wasting so much time looking for DIY I wonder if I should put together a small 996 site to regroup all those things. But I wonder if that would just add to the confusion

LVDell

Very welcome. Pre 03 cars (02 and older) have the old analog system and adding an aux-in is a simple $20 part from Becker. However, in 2003 they introdcued the MOST Bus system which is fiber optic based and requires this solution. Much more powerful though as you can add an ipod, an aux-in (my sat radio) and a USB drive full of music!

LVDell

I'm going to post this as well over on Loren's site (renntech)

philooo

I posted my own tutorial on Renntech.

My install is even easier as it use the original CD-Changer CDC-4

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...orsche-996-c2/

The Dension is great, super easy to install, but I have to say that for daily use, the CDR-23 make it a bit hard to navigate within your songs.

I decided to keep my ipod in the trunk as I don't want to play with the ipod while in the car. So I have to use the oem disk selector to access the function as 'navigate by playlist, by artist, by album. It is a bit frustrating but at least the sound is much better than FM transmitter !

LVDell

Thanks for adding another thread to the repository. I just added your new thread link to mine so those with a CDC can check yours out as well.

re: your install......My car didn't come with the CDC so that was not an option.

re: ipod......I don't navigate my ipod with the CDR23.....I use the ipod itself.

I agree, the ipod line-in is really good.

corkemeister

Great write up thanks. Very helpful in install for 2003 996 turbo. I mounted the Denison unit in the CD storage tray - cutting out the back and sides for wiring and then reinstalled the individual trays so the dash looks stock.