TimR

1997-2000 used bulbs. 2001-2004 used leds. You service guy may not be up on the old cars.

Hitting the top of the instrument cluster sometimes makes it work if the bulbi is not burned out. You can clean the contacts for the bulb, but since you have to remove the cluster to do this you might as well replace them at he same time.

The replacement bulbs come in the plastic holder and the holder is tan.

I'm a little confused as to how many bulb there are per LCD display. I see it mentioned that there is one per LCD display (total of 3), but the pictures indicate there could be more. Without having opened-up and instrument cluster, its hard to determine exactly how many bulbs there are.

This picture looks like there is only one per LCD display:

But in this picture there appears to be 3 bulbs just for the center LCD display:

Tim,

Here's a thread that covers opening the instrument cluster to change light bulbs:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...amp;#entry22673

Hope it helps,

Bill

Any writeups on how to change "all" of the LEDS (IC, A/C, Windows, etc) from amber to something else? I haven't really seen anything other than people saying "it's going to be difficult... you need to solder stuff... etc"

just curious

I've been browsing this subject and I did not see any comments indicating that soldering was required.

Not sure about changing the color. I would assume the bulb is clear (at least it looks clear) and the color (amber on my 986) is from the plastic covering on the instrument cluster.

1997-2000 used bulbs. 2001-2004 used leds. You service guy may not be up on the old cars.

Hitting the top of the instrument cluster sometimes makes it work if the bulbi is not burned out. You can clean the contacts for the bulb, but since you have to remove the cluster to do this you might as well replace them at he same time.

The replacement bulbs come in the plastic holder and the holder is tan.

Thanks much. I printed-out several of the threads here on RennTech on this subject. I think it's something I can tackle. I'm sure the service dept. won't even think about opening-up the instrument cluster and replacing a single bulb.

Do you recommend replacing all 3 bulbs since when the instrument cluster is out and opened?

Each of th 3 LCDs has its own bulb.

Thanks. I mentioned replacing the bulb to the Porsche service department, and they acted like they never heard of such a thing (they suggested replacing the entire instrument cluster).

Any ideas as to why the bulb would be intermittent. The display has not been illuminated three different times now after I start the car (in a timeframe of 24 hours). If I hit the top of the dash with my fist, the LCD becomes illuminated. Appears as if it might be a loose connection rather than a bad bulb?

Tim,

There are 3 bulbs that supply backlighting to the display on the ic. Using a flashlight shine it into the area of display and you should be able to read the lcd's and shows you that the display is still working and that backlighting is out. Many times when removing the cluster those bulbs burn out and need replacing, so order more than one before removing the cluster. I always forget which bulb is the correct one when looking at parts catalog but I think it is 999-631-303-90 (1.5 watt) The other choice is 999-631-302-90 (1.2 watt). svansyoc

Thanks.

I spoke to the Porsche service department again this morning, and they stated that they did not know anything about just replacing a bulb to fix this problem (but then again why should they when they can charge me 100's of $$ to instead of replacing a $10 bulb).

Are you sure it is an LCD problem and not one of the backlight bulbs?

I am having a similar problem where the SPEED and TEMPERATURE LCD display is very faint. If I hit the top of the dash with my fist, the display will come back to normal intensity.

Is there a single bulb that is used to illuminate this part of the LCD display?

ps. Dealer suggested I need a whole new instrument cluster.

Thanks.

Let me clarify, this is the speed and temperature LCD display on the bottom of the tackometer gauge.

This is NOT the row of status lights below the three instrument gauges.

I would be surpirsed if the LCD display could be controlled by a single bulb.

The digital readout on the center gauge of my '99 Boxster was not illuminated (rather it was very faint). Took it to the dealer, he banged on the top of the cluster with his fist, and it started working again. He told me that this is a common problem with Porsches were the LCD "wears out" and that I would eventually need a whole new instrument cluster.

After reading some posting here, it sounds like individual bulbs can be replaced to solve my problem. Is this true because bulbs will be a heck of lot cheaper than the whole instrument cluster.

Thanks.

the TSB I am looking at is #1/04 6924". Is that the correct TSB?

The TSB documents a required part# 000.043.206.06 ("Service set belt buckle") which I referred to as the "wiring harness". The dealer qoeted me $55.02 for the kit. Do I really need the kit, or can I use my own wire connectors, shrink tube, and wire ties.

The dealer replaced my passwneger side seat belt buckle to clear the air bag light, but now its back on. The fault codes indicate that its the passenger seat belt buckle (again). I assume the buckle is fine since it was replaced a few months ago, so I probably need to install the updated wiring harness that is recommended in the TSB. Is there any distiguishing characteristics that would indicate if I already have the updated wiring harness? As the TSB instructs, there is already some shrink-wrap over some solder connections which leads me to believe the procedure has already been performed. The TSB sounds pretty straight forward and easy. Any warnings on DIY?

Thanks.

Check your coolant level. The light does not go on when the temperature is low, only when the coolant level is low or the temperature is to high.

The coolant level was the problem. I thought it was a temperature related problem because the light only came on once the outside temperature dropped. However, the level was just below the minimum mark, so I add a little bit of distilled water to bring it up above the minimum mark, and the light has not come on since.

Since I was adding such a small amount of fluid, I added straight distilled water. After reading many of the threads discussing the "correct" type of anitfreeze to use, I was so confused and concerned about adding the wrong type, I decided it would be safer to add straight distilled water (since it was such a small quantity) and not risk adding the wrong type of anitfreeze.

I will keep an eye on the level to make sure it does not drop again.

Thanks for you help.

Now that it has gotten cold outside, the temperature light on my '99 boxster comes on as soon as I start the car. I don't even rev the engine when started and it comes on. Even after the engine has warmed-up, the light remains on. If I turn the ignition switch off and then restart the car (after the engine has warmed up), the temperature light does not come on and stays off. I checked the coolant fluid level, and it is good.

Should not the temperature light go off after the car has sufficiently warmed-up? Any ideas as to the problem? Thanks.

I agree it seems strange that the US government forces car makers to give emission warranties but not safety item warranties.

This can certainly be done by some that is used to working on electrical connections and soldering. Some folks have gotten by just replacing the faulting buckle and not doing anything else. Porsche's TSB fix is intended to stop any future issues.

Is there a restriction on printing the TSBs? I was unable to print a TSB. Is that normal for the RennTech site? If so, is there another site that will allow me to print the TSBs?

You need to choose Sort by "Subject" not "Model" in the selection box.

Thanks Loren. I got it. I would not have guessed that "Sort" quailifier would prevent the search from working.

Assuming that my airbag light problem is the same as the one described in TSB 1/04 6924, is this a DIY project that has been performed by others, or is this one that is better left for the Porsche mechanics? Seems like this should be covered by Porsche at no change (yea right) since it's a safety item.

Can you take a screen shot? I just tried it and got 15 results for "airbag".

Attached is a screen capture I save into MS Paint as a bitmap file. Thanks for taking a look at it. I had to save it in low-res (16 bit) otherwise the attachement was too large for RennTech to handle.

Boxster's and Carrerra's use the same seats and seatbelt buckles - so either TSB will work.

I had no trouble finding it with the search. Did you choose to search by Subject then the word "airbag"?

The TSB you want is TSB 1/04 6924 Airbag Warning Light Comes On: Fault Codes 45, 46, 48 and 49 -- dated Jul 21, 2004.

Thanks.

I am not sure what I am doing wrong, but I still can not find any TSBs. I go to "Quick Menu" and select "Current TSBs". Then I select "Search all TSBs", then enter "Airbag" as the subject or title, and press GO. It echoe's back "no TSBs found". It worked for me yesterday.

Have the code read before you turn it off. My bet (on a car that old) is a seatbelt buckle -- see the TSB.

Loren, I checked the TSB's yesterday, and found one dealing with the ground wires for the seatbelts. But it was for a 996. Is this the one you were referring to? However, today, I can not find the same TSB on RennTech to give you the exact TSB#. My guess is there is something wrong with the search engine for the RennTech TSB web site. Is there another site you know of that I can search the boxster TSBs.

My airbag light came on yesterday in my 1999 986. I read in one post that this was caused from a low voltage condition. Can anyone confirm that?

It would not surpirse me because I had ran the battery down a few weeks ago (left a light on). After jumping the car, the battery gave me no problems. However, the airbag light came on after not driving the car for 10 days. I suspect the battery has been weakened enough to cause the low voltage after sitting for 10 days. I also assume the airbag light must be cleared using the Durametric diagnostic tool, correct?

There are many places where oil can leak from the engine. A common source is from the cam covers.

If it is from the rear main seal or intermediate shaft seal then you will see oil in the area in the picture. This is where the transmission bolts to the engine. Where the cable is.

That looks a lot like the underside of my engine. My guess its the RMS. At 55K now, do I need to be that worried about a few drops of oil per day (maybe two drops per day)?

The engine temperature on my 1999 2.5L Boxster seems to be running a little higher than I remember. It has been running in the 190 F to 200 F range. Does not seem to really matter much as to the outside air temp. Is this normal for the 2.5L? What are some temps other owners normally see their 2.5L run at.

I don't know if this diagram is much better... (item 1 is the main brake light switch).

It will likely help to move or remove the duct so you can see the switches better.

I can not locate the 2nd brake switch. Switch #2 in your diagram is approximately located where the swtich is located for the clutch pedal, so is it possible they are calling that the 2nd brake switch?

Regardless, I installed a new brake switch (#1), and it has fixed my "no rear brake lights" problem. Thanks for all your help. Now let's go drive :-)

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...ost&p=28128

The single brake pedal switch highlighted in the picture is the one I have already found. It's the second brake pedal switch that you mentioned (and not shown in the picture) that I can not find.

I have a replacement switch for the one shown in picture, but I have not installed it yet (doing that tonight). I checked the new switch with a ohm meter, and it checks-out the same as the switch I removed. So I have a feeling that this brake pedal switch #1 is not the cause of my rear brakes not working.

Thanks again.

Two if you have cruise control - one otherwise.

I have cruise control and a 5 speed manual transmission, but I can only find one switch on the brake pedal (right behind the pedal to the rear of the car side of pedal). I also see one on the clutch pedal, but only the one on the brake. Any clues as where to look for the second brake switch?

Thanks.

1. Fuses

2. Switch(es) on pedal

Thanks Loren. Fuse and bulbs are good. I suspect the switch, but I only found one on my 1999 986. You stated "Switch(es)" in your response. Is there really two brake switches on a 986?

Just went through my annual state car inspection which uncovered none of my rear brake lights are working. Scary to think how long I've been driving it like that. Any suggestions on what to check? I guess I should start with the fuses.