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Porsche Club of America
The Northeast Region

By Steve Ross, SLR944@AOL.com
NOR'EASTER Online - June 2003

Also in the springtime events our annual Ramble, the largest single event the region offers each year, was another sellout with over 230 members in 110 plus cars caravanning in some not so pleasant weather (good news it did not snow even though we saw some lingering traces along the route) to the beautiful Woodstock Inn in the town of the same name in upstate Vermont. The lunch stop at the Equinox hotel (site of the ’96 ramble) was praised as the best one we have ever had with plenty of quick service and loads of space to socialize in. As at the novice autocross I found a large number of folks who I did not recognize, a good portent for the future as it means we are drawing new or dormant members to our events. (Or I can’t remember anyone) Our thanks to Bruce Hauben who not only scoped out great smooth roads that were very scenic, but also took over all the myriad administrative tasks on rather short notice when prior Ramble master, Murray Mathews, became sick Sadly Murray passed away 3 days after the Ramble.

Speaking of tours/Rallys Drew and Carol Ley will be holding a summer rally that looks like it will include a pool party afterwards, check the calendar for further information. Come September 13th our second annual Porschefest, this time combined with a photo contest and guest speaker will again be held at the Museum of Transportation in Brookline, look for a big promo next month in the Noreaster. Closely following we will have our fall tour over the Columbus day weekend, Charley Dow and Kim Saal will be planning a fun trek through southeast Mass and RI ending in Westport Ma., details to follow. The Museum of Transportation will host their annual German Car day on June 15th, a great relaxing time just soaking up the sites and people, with a gimmick judging format that requires no special work in cleaning, check the newsletter, web site or the MOT website for further information.

By the time you read this our first autocross of the year and first track event, at Mt. Tremblanc will also be history, there are plenty of others to keep you driving fanatics happy; 2 more at Tremblanc, one at the Watkins Glen, BeaveRun, and Mosport plus our annual backyard event in NHIS in September, and 4 more autocrosses at Devens. Check the calendar for time and places.

Now to the technical part of the column, I forgot to mention when I drove the Cayenne starting was somewhat frustrating as the key did not seem to turn all the way as if the battery was dead, a quick check of the headlights confirmed I had power, it turns out Porsche has utilized a system that requires you to step on the brake pedal after turning the key to the on position, strange. They are not unique, as Mercedes has had a similar system utilizing the shifter for a few years. Anyone of you who own a Boxster up through model year 2000 and did not have the trip computer can have your outside temperature readout activated by your dealer or service facility, they use the Porsche tester to trick the ECU into thinking it has a trip computer thus allowing an outside reading. Although this is not a big job most places will probably charge you for this change. 

Thinking of buying a hardtop for that Boxster, well remember you need an installation kit, which will receive the pins behind the seats. Part #s are 999-219-041-00 2 required, 986-563-713-02 and 986-563-714-02 one each required. Price is around $85 plus installation, which does require removal of some trim to access the receptacle holder. 

Just recently replaced the climate control filter, very easy but you do need a size 25 torks socket to remove the passenger side air grille right next to the battery cover near the windshield under the hood. The filter is tucked up under the windshield on a small shelf, just pulls out after releasing the clip on the center side. Part # is 996-571-219-02. 

While you are under the front hood check the drains at the lower portion of the compartment to make sure no debris has accumulated, if so blow it out with compressed air, a backup of water could eventually overflow into the passenger compartment. (Note there is another drain on the drivers side plus 2 more right behind the headrest area visible with the top partially up, these rear ones, when clogged, can cause water damage to the control units under the driver’s seat) Next month I will review the air filter replacement (with pictures), which of course requires exposing the engine compartment, a very simple operation once you understand the sequence of tasks.