Aftermarket Accessories - Cause Electrical Problems

91porsche06

September 10, 1991


Model
All Models

Group
X

Part Identifier
N/A

Number
9104


Subject:
Installation of Aftermarket
Equipment (Electrical)


ATTENTION:
Service Manager/Service Technician

Models Affected:
All

Concern:
Electrical problems due to the installation of aftermarket equipment.

General Information:
With the sale of aftermarket alarms, stereo radios, CD players etc., there has been an increasing number of vehicle electrical problems arising, many of which are directly and/or indirectly tied to installation of such equipment. Examples are:

Discharged battery caused by excessive current draw from added equipment. In the case of aftermarket alarms, they often are spliced into the existing alarm systems using inferior connectors. The actual connecting of the two systems often results in a malfunction that appears to be in the factory alarm and is later found to be caused by the aftermarket alarm interface to the factory unit. Additionally, since these aftermarket systems are installed by non-dealership technicians or outside the selling dealer, technicians at the dealer have no working knowledge of the aftermarket equipment layout and electrical connection to the vehicles electrical system.

With aftermarket equipment installation, cables and wires must be laid in the vehicle. These cables often run parallel to existing vehicle harnesses and have been known to cause interference in other vehicle systems when activated. Intermittent open circuits can be created causing difficult to diagnose electrical problems. In addition, holes drilled in the body for the purpose of routing cables are not treated to prevent rust, and frequently rubber grommets are not used to prevent harness cuts and possible short circuits.

In extreme cases, short circuits can develop and cause electrical fires. In many of these cases, damage is so extensive that it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to determine the cause.

Since aftermarket equipment is not approved by Porsche, and no accommodations have been made for such equipment during the vehicle design phase, Porsche accepts no responsibility for damages to vehicles related to aftermarket equipment installation.

In addition, dealers should not install or sublet the installation of such items on vehicles at any time.


Repair Procedure:
In the event that a vehicle is brought in for service with verified electrical problems, and contains aftermarket electrical equipment, the vehicle should first be examined for obvious problems. If initial repair does not resolve the issue, the vehicle must have all aftermarket electrical equipment disconnected and the problem must again be verified before any further diagnosis. It should be made clear to the customer that all diagnosis and repair(s) resulting from aftermarket equipment are not warranty matters.