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Model Year: 2015
Vehicle Type: 918 Spyder
Concerns:
Software update of the following control equipment and devices:
- High-voltage battery
- Air conditioning
- Rear axle steering
- DME control unit
- PDK control unit
- Porsche Communication Management (PCM)
- Instrument cluster
Information:
This is to inform you of a voluntary Workshop Campaign on the above-mentioned vehicles.
New software is available for the specified control equipment and devices.
The new software will correct the problems described below and implement improvements and function enhancements:
- High-voltage battery and air conditioning control units
At outside temperatures below 41° F (5° C), a component protection function, which is used to reduce the performance of the air-conditioning compressor, is active for the air-conditioning compressor.
Due to the diagnostic strategy in the vehicle system, however, this can be detected as a fault in some cases. As a result, implausible fault memory entries are stored and the Check Engine light is activated.
To prevent this from happening, the control units will be re-programmed using an updated data record.
- Control units for rear axle steering
With the previous software used for the control units for rear axle steering, there is a possibility that the error message “Fault rear steering Possible to drive on” will be displayed immediately after switching on the ignition. If this happens, the rear axle steering actuators will be locked at zero position. The vehicle then behaves like a vehicle with conventional toe control arms.
The rear axle steering function is fully available again after switching the ignition off and on again.
To prevent the rear axle steering from malfunctioning, the control units for the rear axle steering will be re-programmed using an updated data record.
- DME and PDK control unit
New data records, which increase engine running comfort and driving comfort in certain driving situations, are available for the DME and PDK control units.
- Porsche Communication Management (PCM)
With the previous PCM software, the PCM system can restart automatically at times during continuous operation and intensive use of all PCM functions (e.g. when using the navigation system and displaying the weather chart at the same time).
To prevent this from happening, the PCM software will be updated.
For standardization reasons, changes were made to the warning messages that appear on the instrument cluster when the language option Russian is selected (no more English warning texts appear when Russian is selected). When Russian is selected as the required language, this only affects how warning messages are displayed on the instrument cluster; English is still the system language.
Information
When the instrument cluster is re-coded, the individual settings implemented in the instrument cluster by the customer will be lost and are reset to the default values of the country version that applies to the vehicle.
It is important, therefore, to ask the customer during vehicle acceptance about his/her individual settings implemented in the instrument cluster and restore these after carrying out the campaign if necessary.
Action
Update the software for the affected control equipment and devices.
Required:
Information
It takes approx. 90 minutes in total to program the various control equipment and devices.
Once the software has been updated, the following steps must also be carried out in the specified sequence:
- Reading out and erasing fault memories
- Performing throttle valve adaptation
- Calibrating electric machine
- Adapting the decoupler/separating clutch*
* For adapting the decoupler, the state of charge of the high-voltage battery must be at least 20%.
Please check the state of charge of the high-voltage batterybefore carrying out the campaign.
The state of charge of the high-voltage battery is shown in the “Car & Info” display on the instrument panel or can be read out from the DME control unit using the PIWIS Tester:
‘DME 918S Hybrid’ > menu -> ‘Actual values/input signals’> > value group “Y_Hybrid” >>> value “Y161_Hybrid battery, absolute SoC actual value.”
Charge the high-voltage battery before carrying out the campaign if necessary to ensure that the state of charge is at least 20% and the decoupler can be adapted.
Affected Vehicles:
The VIN(s) can be checked by using PIWIS Vehicle Information link to verify if the campaign affects the vehicle. This campaign is scope specific to the VIN! Failure to verify in PIWIS may result in an improper repair. This campaign affects 70 vehicles in North America.
Parts Info:
| Part No. | Designation | Qty. |
|---|---|---|
| 918.642.901.00 | -> SD card for PCM update | 1 ea.* |
* Every Porsche dealership responsible for looking after a vehicle affected by the campaign is provided with one SD card for the PCM update.
Only one SD card must therefore be ordered for every Porsche dealership responsible for looking after a vehicle affected by the campaign. This SD card remains available as a tool in the relevant Porsche dealership.
Tools:
- Battery Charger/Power Supply – Suitable for Lithium Ion type batteries, recommended current rating of 70A fixed voltage 13.8V. Refer to Equipment bulletin EQ-1105.
- 9818 – PIWIS Tester II with PIWIS Tester software version 14.700 (or higher) installed.
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For reprogramming and flashing Porsche vehicles without a factory diagnostic device, Porsche recommends the following devices:
Recommended Pass Thru Devices:
J2534 Device 
Porsche is not responsible for any content on these two external sites
Pass Thru – Check ECU
Pass Thru – ECU Check verifies the vehicle compliance with the latest air polution restrictions of the following organisations:
– Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
– California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Pass Thru – Check ECU checks the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) stored in the vehicles Digital Motor Electronic (ECU) against the PAG database.
Pass Thru – Check ECU is free of charge and does not require any login.
How to perform a Pass Thru – ECU Check:
- Enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- In case of EPA offical enter the CVN ID.
- In case of CARB offical enter the Cal ID.
- Click the “CHECK ECU Version” button.
If the VIN is valid you see:
VIN IS VALID – User has the latest Update
How to find the VIN:
The VIN is labeled inside the windscreen at the bottom right side: see sample.
How to get the CVN ID / Cal ID:
CVN / Cal IDs can be retrieved with a generic scan tool device.
