Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-28-2015, 11:53 PM   #1
Registered User
 
oldskool73's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 335
Dome light swap from 97 to 04 type, possible...?

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!

oldskool73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2015, 07:00 AM   #2
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,797
Garage
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
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
JayG is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2015, 07:46 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,482
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.
__________________
Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
JFP in PA is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2015, 08:12 AM   #4
WALDMEISTER
 
BRAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Germany
Posts: 1,367
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA View Post
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.
__________________
Original Owner | PORSCHE Boxster 2.7L (MY01) | Seal Gray
BRAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2015, 11:12 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,482
Quote:
Originally Posted by BRAN View Post
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:

__________________
Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
JFP in PA is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2015, 12:10 PM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Posts: 1
I just swapped mine on a 2000 and it works great, even the little amber LED.
joec35 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2015, 05:02 PM   #7
Registered User
 
PaulDash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: KRK, PL, EU
Posts: 255
Garage
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!
__________________
Past: 944 NA white '86
Present: 986 black '98
Future: 959
PaulDash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-29-2015, 08:45 PM   #8
Registered User
 
EJ-Fresno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 520
Garage
Is it possible to swap a 987 dome light into a 986?
__________________
2003 2.7 Boxster - Tiptronic - Carrera wheels - OBC - Red calipers - Cat pipes - Modified muffler - Rear speakers - K&N - Litronics
2006 V6 Mustang
2008 ML 350
EJ-Fresno is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2015, 12:52 AM   #9
WALDMEISTER
 
BRAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Germany
Posts: 1,367
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA View Post
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?
__________________
Original Owner | PORSCHE Boxster 2.7L (MY01) | Seal Gray
BRAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2015, 03:05 AM   #10
Registered User
 
oldskool73's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 335
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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2015, 07:20 AM   #11
Registered User
 
oldskool73's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 335
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.
oldskool73 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2015, 12:55 PM   #12
Registered User
 
PaulDash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: KRK, PL, EU
Posts: 255
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldskool73 View Post
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.
__________________
Past: 944 NA white '86
Present: 986 black '98
Future: 959
PaulDash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2015, 07:08 PM   #13
Multi-Boxer Driver
 
Deserion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange Park, FL
Posts: 1,420
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno View Post
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.
__________________
-Chris
2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 (gone )
2004 Porsche 911 C4S Cab
1991 Porsche 911 C2 Targa 3.6
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
Deserion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-30-2015, 07:17 PM   #14
Registered User
 
Chuck W.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Agoura Hills (LA) So.Cal.
Posts: 1,574
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.

__________________
1995 Porsche C4 Cab

2016 BMW M2, 6 Speed LBB - ED 7/2016
1997 993 Cab - Sold; 1997 993 Turbo - Sold
2001 Boxster S - Original Owner - 30K Miles -SOLD
Chuck W. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2015, 09:53 AM   #15
Registered User
 
EJ-Fresno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 520
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deserion View Post
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?
__________________
2003 2.7 Boxster - Tiptronic - Carrera wheels - OBC - Red calipers - Cat pipes - Modified muffler - Rear speakers - K&N - Litronics
2006 V6 Mustang
2008 ML 350
EJ-Fresno is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2015, 11:06 AM   #16
Multi-Boxer Driver
 
Deserion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange Park, FL
Posts: 1,420
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno View Post
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.
__________________
-Chris
2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 (gone )
2004 Porsche 911 C4S Cab
1991 Porsche 911 C2 Targa 3.6
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
Deserion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2015, 11:22 AM   #17
Custom User Title Here
 
particlewave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,164
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno View Post
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.
__________________
https://youtube.com/@UnwindTimeVintageWatchMuseum
particlewave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2015, 11:38 AM   #18
Registered User
 
EJ-Fresno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 520
Garage
That's what I feared after checking on the connectors...
__________________
2003 2.7 Boxster - Tiptronic - Carrera wheels - OBC - Red calipers - Cat pipes - Modified muffler - Rear speakers - K&N - Litronics
2006 V6 Mustang
2008 ML 350
EJ-Fresno is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2015, 04:55 AM   #19
Multi-Boxer Driver
 
Deserion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange Park, FL
Posts: 1,420
Garage
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.
__________________
-Chris
2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 (gone )
2004 Porsche 911 C4S Cab
1991 Porsche 911 C2 Targa 3.6
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
Deserion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 08:15 AM   #20
Registered User
 
KevinH1990's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,723
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldskool73 View Post
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.

__________________
2000 Arctic Silver/Black, Hard Top, On Board Computer
PNP Rear Speakers, HAES 6-Channel Amp, Avic Z140BH,
Painted Bumperettes, 2004 (OEM) Top, Homelink integrated in dash with Targa switch, 997 Shifter, Carrera Gauge Cluster with silver gauge faces, heated 997 adaptive sports seats, Litronics, silver console
KevinH1990 is online now   Reply With Quote
Post Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:34 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page