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-   -   Dome light swap from 97 to 04 type, possible...? (http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/58525-dome-light-swap-97-04-type-possible.html)

oldskool73 08-28-2015 10:53 PM

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) :

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Hk...o=w515-h914-no

New pins :

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M5...g=w515-h914-no

Thanks for any help!

JayG 08-29-2015 06:00 AM

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 08-29-2015 06:46 AM

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 08-29-2015 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFP in PA (Post 463834)
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 08-29-2015 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRAN (Post 463839)
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:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...s640/photo.JPG

joec35 08-29-2015 11:10 AM

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

PaulDash 08-29-2015 04:02 PM

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 08-29-2015 07:45 PM

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

BRAN 08-29-2015 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFP in PA (Post 463859)
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:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...s640/photo.JPG

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 08-30-2015 02:05 AM

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 08-30-2015 06:20 AM

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 08-30-2015 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldskool73 (Post 463953)
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 08-30-2015 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno (Post 463926)
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. 08-30-2015 06:17 PM

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.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psffk3zb65.jpg

EJ-Fresno 08-31-2015 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deserion (Post 464025)
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 08-31-2015 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno (Post 464088)
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 08-31-2015 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EJ-Fresno (Post 463926)
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 08-31-2015 10:38 AM

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

Deserion 09-01-2015 03:55 AM

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 10-16-2016 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldskool73 (Post 463953)
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.


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