Last month I purchased the PCM update Nav DVD and PCM CDs from my dealer and uploaded both the NAV DVD and PCM CDs myself (part 997.044.901.51). The NAV DVD works fine and is updated (08.2007) vs my old NAV DVD (04.2008). However, when I check the software version on the PCM it now shows version 3.0 vs the previous 3.2 (the PCM appears to work fine). I just serviced the car at my dealer and told them of the problem. They felt the PCM CD update must be done with the car connected to the PIWIS. However, this made no difference and the software version still shows 3.0.

Original Version 3.2
PCM Target 0524CD1/3905
PCM Actual 0524CD1/3905
Yes
Yes

System Target 04514BD1/5104
System Actual 04514BD1/5104
Yes
Yes

NAV Target --------------
NAV Actual 00179412/5004
Yes
Yes

New Version 3.0
PCM Target 05024AD1/0205
PCM Actual 05024AD1/0205
Yes
Yes

Software Target 04364AD1/3604
Software Actual 04364AD1/3604
Yes
Yes

NAV Target-------------
NAV Actual 00179436/3306
Yes
Yes

According to the dealer and PCNA I have the most recent DVD and CDs. The dealer has a call in to the PCNA techs, but they have yet to get a reply. Any Ideas?

Why did you decide to update the PCM system? This is why these CD's are normally only installed by the dealer , there is more to it than just putting them in the front slot. The problem you have is that the CD's are designed to update PCM 2.1 units with Level A software to level B . ie software version 1 or 2 to version 3. The only true benefit of this update is to allow the later version of navigation software to be in synch with the PCM. The CD runs a program to see if the the software matches the level on the CD, then proceeeds to update to the CD version. In your application all you needed to do was load the navigation update , the other two are not required. In your current situation you have not improved the functionality of the PCM , but may have lost some of the enhancements that were on it originally. There is no update CD available to put your PCM back to its original level , the only software available is the repair kit CD which will take your pcm to version 3.3 , though its only designed to be used if there is a problem with the CD skipping or MP3 playback. The PCM will function fine , its just that some of the subtle enhancements that were there originally may now be lost.

For anyone else considering a self update of their PCM, for heavens sake ask before you do anything you are not sure about. There is no master reset on these things and they cost a fortune to replace if you get it wrong !

Maybe I expect too much, but if you buy the DVD and CD updates from PCNA, I would expect the software to be of the same or higher version than is currently on a two year old car. Why would the CDs back date the software to an earlier version? Has Bill Gates purchased Porsche?

I have to agree. This should be a little more fool proof. These PCM's did come out in what 2005. Does the PCM ask hey you got version x on the pcm do you want to install version y or does it just do it?

DanM

I believe it asked "update yes-no", there is no version listed or date. However my pcm crashed during the update, and I had to reload the CDs. I thought this was the problem, but the dealer was unable to revert to the previous version ever with the PIWIS. It sounds like there is a repair CD available, so hopefully my dealer be able to solve the issue. The PCM works fine, it just seem odd that the newest CDs would back date to an earlier software version.

As I said in my post earlier , its designed to be installed by the service tech at Porsche , not the end user. There is a service bulletin that accompanies this software that tells you how to check the existing software level before update and what discs are required as a result. I wouldn't blame Porsche because you didn't read the instructions , though admit it would be helpful if Harman Becker added some code to prevent earlier software being loaded.
The disc kit is designed to cover all models of PCM 2.1, so software is included to update any model to get to a minimum of level B (sw Ver 3) so that the updated navigation firmware can operate correctly. As I said before , there is really little point in loading the repair CD unless you have a problem with your CD playback or the MP3 function doesnt work. The update CD will not take you back to where you were before updating , it takes you to a different point somewhere in between. Just because the software version will read 3.3 on the screen , doesn't mean you get any benefits or extra functionality over the 3.2 version you had originally. Both software versions (3 and 3.3) are essentially Level B ,the current software level is C (version 4 and above). Just put it down to experience and consider a little more research , maybe join renntech.org and look at the Service Bulletins before attempting any more updates.