Dome light swap from 97 to 04 type, possible...?

[oldskool73]

Hi all,

I have a base 97 with the old rocker type dome lights like this:

[IMG]http://www.****************************************************.com/mm5/graphics/00000002/porsche%20boxster%20interior%20dome%20light%20hous ing.jpg[/IMG]

and the crappy plastic tabs holding it in are broken so it's currently wedged in with a lump of tape.

I got my hands on a whole new convertable latch section from an 04 and it's got the newer dome lights that look like this:

[IMG]http://www.****************************************************.com/mm5/graphics/00000002/boxster%20interior%20light%20housing.jpg[/IMG]

Question 1 : What is the recessed button like thing on the left in the image? What is the small 'reset with a pin' type button below it for?

Question 2 : I hoped it'd be a straight swap, but the newer one has a much smaller connector on it, just 3 tiny header pins instead of the big flat blades on the old one.

Has anyone attempted swapping these before? I'm pretty sure I can rig up a connection between the old connector and the new plug with a few wires, assuming the 3 wire inputs are the same (ground, door open power, constant power). Can anyone confirm?

Old pins (and stylish wedge of masking tape retainer) :



New pins :



Thanks for any help!

[JayG]

Don't know about the swap.

The Reset with a pin is for the amber light that shines down
It adjusts from off to barely on to almost on

[JFP in PA]

The "recess thing on the left" is a motion sensor that is connected to the alarm system so that if someone reaches into the car while it is parked and armed, the alarm will go off.

[BRAN]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

The "recess thing on the left" is a motion sensor that is connected to the alarm system so that if someone reaches into the car while it is parked and armed, the alarm will go off.

As far as I remember, it is mentioned in the manual: It is a push-button (ball pen will do) to adjust the amber "ambient" light brightness.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by BRAN

As far as I remember, it is mentioned in the manual: It is a push-button (ball pen will do) to adjust the amber "ambient" light brightness.

On the later cars, there is an infra red motion sensor to detect cockpit movement when the alarm is armed, but it is just behind that light:

[joec35]

I just swapped mine on a 2000 and it works great, even the little amber LED.

[PaulDash]

I did a swap.

1. The recessed button sets one of two intensity levels of the light that shines on your central console around your gear shifter. This light is not present in the early-style lamps. Because of this, the electrical wiring is different. In mine, I modified the recessed button to turn this light on or off as I believe that if left on, even on low intensity, it could drain the battery.

2. The small connector is easy to get in an electronics store. You then need to map which wire goes where cause, if I recall, the pin-out is not the same.

Good luck!

[EJ-Fresno]

Is it possible to swap a 987 dome light into a 986?

[BRAN]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

On the later cars, there is an infra red motion sensor to detect cockpit movement when the alarm is armed, but it is just behind that light:

I've got to check, if I have a motion sensor, too. Do those caps pop off easily?
Would it be possible to "activate" the alarm system without any further hardware?

[oldskool73]

Thanks for the help guys. Does the small ambient yellow LED light normally come on all the time (ie when driving also), or only when you open the doors/turn the main light on?

[oldskool73]

Wired it up successfully.

Cut the 3 pin connector off an small stepper motor in an Arduino kit I had lying around and it fitted over the new lights pins fine. Attached the other ends of the wires to small spades and pushed them into the old connector slots instead of hacking it off, in case I ever want to go back.

They have swapped the wire order around just to keep us on our toes:

old ---> new
left (door open power) ---> left
middle (ground) ---> right
right (constant power) ---> middle

The led also works, but really... what's the point, that thing hardly illuminates the rear view mirror, let alone anything in the cabin!

Thanks all for your help.

[PaulDash]

Originally Posted by oldskool73

Wired it up successfully.

The led also works, but really... what's the point, that thing hardly illuminates the rear view mirror, let alone anything in the cabin!

Congrats!

At night, if should be shining a bit of light on your shifter, cubbies, and ashtray/non-smoker tray.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno

Is it possible to swap a 987 dome light into a 986?

As far as I can tell, the 987's dome light (at least on the pre-refresh cars) is the same as the later 986 style. Except for the HomeLink buttons being where the infrared sensors are on the 986, anyway.

[Chuck W.]

After reading this post I ran out to my Boxster and checked my light. Odd... it looks like the more basic one. But, it has the same part number of the more modern looking light. Perhaps it is just the lens.

[EJ-Fresno]

Originally Posted by Deserion

As far as I can tell, the 987's dome light (at least on the pre-refresh cars) is the same as the later 986 style. Except for the HomeLink buttons being where the infrared sensors are on the 986, anyway.

Thanks for your answer!
So no more infrared sensors? Or they relocated them?

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno

Thanks for your answer!
So no more infrared sensors? Or they relocated them?

Actually, I'm not sure. But I can test that tonight as I'll be visiting the folks and will pop the red clip on her '06 987 and get back with you on it.

[particlewave]

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno

Is it possible to swap a 987 dome light into a 986?

Someone here tried the 987 to 986 swap and they weren't the same...didn't fit.

[EJ-Fresno]

That's what I feared after checking on the connectors...

[Deserion]

Just as a follow-up to my comment from yesterday, the 987 still does have the interior sensors but I'm not sure exactly where they're placed.

[KevinH1990]

Originally Posted by oldskool73

Wired it up successfully.

Cut the 3 pin connector off an small stepper motor in an Arduino kit I had lying around and it fitted over the new lights pins fine. Attached the other ends of the wires to small spades and pushed them into the old connector slots instead of hacking it off, in case I ever want to go back.

They have swapped the wire order around just to keep us on our toes:

old ---> new
left (door open power) ---> left
middle (ground) ---> right
right (constant power) ---> middle

The led also works, but really... what's the point, that thing hardly illuminates the rear view mirror, let alone anything in the cabin!

Thanks all for your help.

Do you think this connector will work?
Molex 3-Pin Connector Kit 0.093" 3 Sets

I've asked the seller to see if they can include the connector from the car, but I'd like to have a back up plan if they can't help me. A few years ago I would have taken the part to Radio Shack and found something, but they have closed most of the stores in my area and there aren't any close to me.