Tutorial: Porsche 981 power steering calibration to GT3.
Model example: 2015 981S.
Tool used: Thinkdiag or Thinkdiag 2
Power Steering to GT3 Calibration:
Pick up a ThinkDiag and perform GT3 steering calibration.
Done it using Thinkdiag and Android phone. Warning, the software update and Porsche diagnostics upload took longer than expected so I strongly suggest to use a charger. I used Schumacker 10A and voltage never dropped below 12.3V from my 9 years old Banner battery (OEM).
Steps:
1. Hook 10A charger directly to the battery.
2. Open Thinkcar+ app in android phone (register first using email address to save time)
3. Insert Thinkdiag to OBD port. Color will turn green
4. Turn ignition to ACC (do not start car)
5. Pair Bluetooth
6. Activate the Thinkdiag using serial # and activation code from the manufacturer
7. Software update might be needed. Ensure strong wi-fi signal in your garage.
8. Click VIN scan on the phone app
9. Porsche diagnostic software update will automatically upgrade.
10. The color of the Thinkdiag turned Blue
11. Click “All Systems Diagnostics” and under “Functions” menu, click “System Selection”
12. Select “Electric Power Steering”
13. Click “Code/Brush Hiding”
14. Click “Rule Coding”
15. Click “Coding Value”
16. Select “Coded Items: Coding Value –Coding–Model line Coding Value: 981S, Cayman Unit: Status:”
17. Select and click GT3
18. Click “Write Code“. You will receive a message “Coding Success”
19. Click back arrow (top left of the screen) exit.
20. Go for test drive
Initial observations:
1. Steering feels about 35% lighter on low speed at driveway and parking lot
2. +/- 10 degrees from top centre of the SW is also lighter than stock at higher speed >30 KPH
3. Turning at high speed past +/- 10 degrees has more resistance but not overly heavy giving you a feeling of more control and feedback.
Also, you can activate the Instrument Cluster as “Always ON” using Thinkdiag with good success.
ThinkDiag has been a great tool.
NOTE: Porsche PIWIS III also does GT3 steering calibration.
Step-by-step for people new to PIWIS to take a crack at coding the new steering calibration.
1. Switch to engineering mode.
2. Press “Overview”. This should pull up a list of all the modules in your car.
3. Highlight the EPS module and press “Codierung Anpassungen”
4. Highlight “Manuelle Codierung ohne MCR Regeln (Entwicklung)” then “Next”
5. Highlight “Kodierwert: Codierung Fahrzeugklassen” then “Next”
6. Select “GT3” in the dropdown menu then press “Schreiben” to code in the new calibration
7. Exit all the way out and then back into the steering calibration menu to make sure the coding still read “GT3” but obviously this is optional.
ADDITIONAL STEPS NEEDED FOR 991.1 CODING (not applicable to 981 cars but posting for completeness-sake):
1. Back to “Overview”
2. Highlight “Kombiinstrument” then press “Codierung Anpassungen”
3. Highlight “Manuelle Codierung ohne MCR Regeln (Entwicklung)” then “Next”
4. Highlight “Warnungskonfiguration: Warnungen EPS Lenkhilfe Ausfallwarnung (120)” & “Warnungskonfiguration: Warnungen EPS Lenkhilfe Fehlerwarnung (121)” then “Next”
5. Use dropdown menu and change both to “nicht aktiv” and then press “Schreiben”
