Interior overhead light

[Randy_K]

My interior overhead light in my 1999 Boxster seems to be possessed. It's intermittent and as luck would have it. That means it doesn't usually work at night, when it is needed most. It doesn't matter which door is opened. Sometimes it comes on and sometimes not. Also when it does come on. When you close the door. It's like turning down a dimmer switch to the off position. So before I start ordering parts. Like a new overhead light assembly. Thought I would check with you gentleman to see if you have encountered this problem. Thanks for your thoughts in advance. Randy

[ChrisJP]

Have you tried to replace the bulb?

Then you could also check the bulb receptacle and make sure that the bulb is not loose.

Check the bulb spec (5W), you don't want to use higher power than recommended because heat could damage the plastic.

Edited January 21, 2011 by ChrisJP

[pkust]

Randy

Besides checking the bulb for contact in the holder, could just be corrosion/oxidation, you might have to check the door switches also for the same. :lightbulb:

"When you close the door. It's like turning down a dimmer switch to the off position"

They are suppose to do that, just like the newer cars.

Paul :beer:

[Randy_K]

Thanks for the tips, Chris and Paul. Just about have my garage cleaned out enough where I can get it in there this weekend and start fixing some small things. This is my first Porsche since my 944 in 2000. A whole different animal than that and still feeling it out. Thanks again, Randy

[Randy_K]

Well, It works now, kind of. Everything is fine as long as the ignition is in the on position. Not much help by then... <_<

[kbrandsma]

Well, It works now, kind of. Everything is fine as long as the ignition is in the on position. Not much help by then...

Do you have any other unexplainable electrical issues. Sometimes a bad ignition switch causes other gremblins.

[RFM]

Randy-K

Go to a dealer or somebody with a PIWIS diagnostic tool, and let them run a "New Vehicle Handover" the control box is probably lost his memory. This problem is here on several occasions addressed in 986/996 forum.

[Randy_K]

Thanks gents. No other unexplainable electrical issues. At least that I am awre of. It's going to the best independent repair center in town on Monday for an oil change. I asked them to check it when I had it there a few weeks ago to get the brakes blead. Well of course it worked fine for them the whole time it was there. But will ask them about the PIWIS. I'll let you know the outcome. Have a great weekend and thanks for the input. :beer:

Randy

[Randy_K]

Ok, After further investigation. Neither front compartment light work or the rear unless the key is in the on position. I'm guessing here. But it has an after market Alpine radio in it. Wonder if the rocket scientist audio installer pulled the ignition to hook wires up to it and got something crossed? :wacko:

Edited February 5, 2011 by Randy_K

[kbrandsma]

Ok, After further investigation. Neither front compartment light work or the rear unless the key is in the on position. I'm guessing here. But it has an after market Alpine radio in it. Wonder if the rocket scientist audio installer pulled the ignition to hook wires up to it and got something crossed? :wacko:

You could pop the radio out and check where the installer grabbed the power from. I doubt it came from the ignition switch. I've had fade and balance issues on my radio until I installed a new switch. How many miles on the car? Has the switch ever been changed. A faulty ignition switch is very common. You could also check the battery. Check the battery before starting (should be under 12 V) and again after starting (14.4+ volts).

Edited February 6, 2011 by kbrandsma

[Randy_K]

Well, It works now, kind of. Everything is fine as long as the ignition is in the on position. Not much help by then...

Do you have any other unexplainable electrical issues. Sometimes a bad ignition switch causes other gremblins.

The car battery is fine. It sat in well below freezing temps for a week and cranked right up. I measured the battery as well and it's reading 12+ volts. The car has 105k miles on it. But I don't see how that would effect this problem. Unless it has a IMS in the lighting system. :o I pulled the fuse cover off and this thing apparently has been to Audio Sparks. (Audio Express) I sold stereos for years. And there reputation proceeds them! It appears there are wires running underneath the carpeting to the rear that are not stock and lots of other things going on. I know it has after market speakers in it. Because who ever put those in? Was impatient in mounting them and busted the grills. I have since replace those.

Thanks for the thought though.

I'm going to call an a car audio installer that I used to work with that is very good at this. and see if he can figure out what the original installer was thinking when this was put in.

Randy

Edited February 6, 2011 by Randy_K

[kbrandsma]

I was interested in the miles to determine if ignition switch is a consideration.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Edited February 6, 2011 by kbrandsma

[Randy_K]

Gotcha, Thanks. I pulled the cover off the ignition switch and it does look like it's the original. But I am not sure how to pull it out to look at the back. Is there a DWI on how to do that? In allot of ways. These cars seem so simple, Just enough to get a guy in trouble. LOL

Randy

[kbrandsma]

Ignition Switch DIY is HERE

I replaced my entire unit (barrel and all) about 6 months ago. You might want to search ignition switch on both 986 and 996 Forums (should be the same) to determine similar symptoms to yours!

[Randy_K]

Ignition Switch DIY is HEREI replaced my entire unit (barrel and all) about 6 months ago. You might want to search ignition switch on both 986 and 996 Forums (should be the same) to determine similar symptoms to yours!

Well, Having the stereo pulled out and re-installed by someone that new what they were doing. Didn't fix the problem. But figured it was worth a try. But all and all, was glad I did. This picture is a lesson on how not to install a stereo. Whom ever did this install needs to find a different line of work. But it's all cleaned up now and the stereo sounds 100% better.

Next up is the ingnition switch. I'm ordering it from Pelican this week. So it well be the following weekend before I perform the DIY that K.Brandsma posted the link to. Thanks very much for your help.

Randy

[kbrandsma]

That's amazing the rat's nest you had!:o

[Loren]

Definitely NOT Porsche factory work.

[Randy_K]

Yep, pretty unbelievable. But like I said. I sold stereos for years and that is not the first time I have seen something like that. :censored:

Just as a side note to people who may see this thread. There is no reason on this planet to use 12 GA wire to the speakers from a head unit like original installer used. There isn't near the current coming from it to justify it. 16 GA is fine. If you're coming out of a fairly high powered separate amp, then maybe?

Randy

[Randy_K]

Ok, Just found this info on another site. Is there some way that mine could have been put into this mode? Additionally I forgot to add. When you get in the car and close the door then turn the ignition to the on position. The light comes on for about a second then goes out. Hate to bug you guys. But things like this drive me nuts! :wacko:

On the interior light, if you had a new car I would say that the delivery dealer had not changed the computer to the hand-over mode with PST2. When the car is shipped on the boat it is in the sleep mode to save the battery. The interior light will not go on unless the ignition key is turned on. With PST2 it is programed at delivery to function normally - but sometimes the dealer forgets to do this. My pure guess is that it was never done and the prior owner did not know better. Take it to any dealer and they will hook your car up to the PST2 and it will take a few seconds to find out if this is the problem. Please let me know if my guess is correct or if there is an electrical problem.

[RFM]

Randy, read my post, a little higher in this topic, again thoroughly.

[Randy_K]

Doh!!! :oops: Thanks for the heads up!!! :thankyou:

[Randy_K]

Ok, Just found this info on another site. Is there some way that mine could have been put into this mode? Additionally I forgot to add. When you get in the car and close the door then turn the ignition to the on position. The light comes on for about a second then goes out. Hate to bug you guys. But things like this drive me nuts! :wacko:

On the interior light, if you had a new car I would say that the delivery dealer had not changed the computer to the hand-over mode with PST2. When the car is shipped on the boat it is in the sleep mode to save the battery. The interior light will not go on unless the ignition key is turned on. With PST2 it is programed at delivery to function normally - but sometimes the dealer forgets to do this. My pure guess is that it was never done and the prior owner did not know better. Take it to any dealer and they will hook your car up to the PST2 and it will take a few seconds to find out if this is the problem. Please let me know if my guess is correct or if there is an electrical problem.

Well, I happend to stop by the Porsche Dealer and talked the service manager. He explained to me that MY99 did not have a shipping mode. So what next or is he blowing smoke to charge me to work in the immobilizer?

Thanks, Randy

[Loren]

The dealer is correct the vehicle handover is only for MY2000 and newer cars (DME 7.2 on).

Still a few simple tests with a PST2 or PIWIS tester should tell you what is going on.

[Randy_K]

Thanks for your input Loren. Since I don't drive much at night. It's no big deal now. And if I do. I usually drive me truck as my 986 originated in CA, The windows are a very dark tint. To the point I have to roll them down to make a left turn on a 4 lane road. So I can see the median and not run over it. But I'll take your advice when the time comes. Thanks again, Randy