Front Trunk Light- What's going on ?

[jim_hoyland]

I got a headache; the front trunk light was out. So I thought a simple bulb replacement was needed. To be sure, I took the bulb from the rear trunk-it works-and tested it in the front trunk. No Dice

Out comes the multimeter. The front trunk light plugs into a red and yellow wire. Tested them without the light and get 12 volts; yellow wire has continuity to ground; my conclusion is there is twelve volts to the light. When I plug the light back on, NADA. Interestingly, I do not get 12 volts at the light connectors either.

The light unit works fine with a battery and works fine in the rear trunk.

Anyone been down this road ? It doesn't make sense to me.

[Paul]

Probably the switch in the front hood latch, what year is your car?

[jim_hoyland]

It's a 1998 I thought it might be the switch originally too. But, the voltmeter shows 12 volts at the + red and - yellow wires that connect to the light.

I also tested a spare license plate light. NADA again. Everythig I see tells me the light should be working.....but, I'm missing something; what is it ?

[BoxsterS21]

Mine is the exact same way. I have an 02

[jim_hoyland]

Searched the Renntech forum on this and didn't find anything other than lubricating the latch mechanism so that the light switch ( microswitch) works properly.

The switch must be working if the red and yellow wires read 12 volts; interestingly, if I use the cars ground instead of the yellow wire, the light will work.
And, the yellow wire showed continuity with the cars ground....

The Renntech forum indicated both front and rear come on together---don't know if this is true, but if it is true, could there be somthing else going on ? I'll revist this again today....

[chaudanova]

interested in this topic as well. Mine used to work fine, and now seems to be taking a break...

[ronev]

My girlfriend's '99 Boxster's battery was constantly draining over a 2-3 days period. I discovered the front trunk light was on all the time. I took out the bulb today to see if battery would hold charge. The battery was tested twice by the way, and was judged good. It's an Optima.

I was thinking someone may have slammed the trunk lid and damaged the switch. Possible?

Thanks.

[Paul]

Does your horn beep when you lock the car?

[ronev]

Yes, always has....and the battery would not start the car this AM.

[Paul]

It should not beep, so yes your latch is likely bad.

[ronev]

Originally Posted by Paul

It should not beep, so yes your latch is likely bad.

Wow, she's owned the car for 3 years and it's always beeped once when locked with the remote. You're saying there's been a problem for 3 years?

[ronev]

Update: The front trunk lamp switch does work, and closing the trunk lid does turn off the light. I took off the latch from the lid and shoved it in the latch hole.

The battery is on a charger now, and hopefully it will charge the battery with the trunk light on.

Thanks