Front Trunk Light- What's going on ? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jim_hoyland · 01-15-2010, 07:33 PM

Paul,

Thanks for the explanation. Unfortunately, my horn doesn't always beep twice when everthing is shut; but I get the idea and tend to agree that it's the microswitch.

I didn't want to go off topic, but have to ask why my horn doesn't always beep after the lights flash twice. It might beep one out of ten or 20 times when locking.

Paul · 01-15-2010, 07:41 PM

It beeps only when something is not closed.

At least the following will cause the alarm horn to beep:

front trunk open
rear trunk open
door open
glove box lid open
Roof clam shell not closed

Some of your switches may be working intermittently.

jim_hoyland · 01-16-2010, 07:04 AM

Didn't know that beeping results only fron an open trunk/door; so many cars beep when locked, I thought it was supposed to beep. I'll go back and read the owners manual. Thanks for the info-I learned something today !

jim_hoyland · 02-10-2010, 01:36 PM

Thanks for the tips and info. I found a DIY on Renntech, ordered a replacement microswitch, from Suncoast and did the exchange. The front trunk light is back.

One question though: There are two cables entering the front trunk latch, one from the right-driver side-, and one lower from the left ( pass side ). The upper one from the right looks like its attached to the manual mechanism on the door sill.
What is the lowere cable about ??? Curious minds want to know

gsrhoden · 02-10-2010, 02:56 PM

I had/have the same problem. If you tap on the switch mechanism is usually comes on. I took it all apart and tried to lube the switch itself with limited success. Only the Germans could come up with a switch design that is as complex as this one. The design is virtually guaranteed to hang up eventually.

I did discover a quick way to check the bulb. If you open the rear trunk, it should light up both the front and rear bulbs.

BTW, how much did you pay for the front latch switch mechanism?

KevinH1990 · 02-10-2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsrhoden

BTW, how much did you pay for the front latch switch mechanism?

$47.63 from Suncoast, plus about $7 shipping

I think the switch has been redesigned. I hope the problem doesn't recur.

jim_hoyland · 02-10-2010, 05:32 PM

I thought the front latch opener in the drivers door sill was mechanical--and I'm assuming it leads to the upper cable on the front latch.

It's this second lower cable I'm confused about--emergengy release ? Where's it leading to ?

KevinH1990 · 02-10-2010, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim_hoyland

Thanks for the tips and info. I found a DIY on Renntech, ordered a replacement microswitch, from Suncoast and did the exchange. The front trunk light is back.

One question though: There are two cables entering the front trunk latch, one from the right-driver side-, and one lower from the left ( pass side ). The upper one from the right looks like its attached to the manual mechanism on the door sill.
What is the lowere cable about ??? Curious minds want to know

I just changed my switch too. Nice to have the light. In my case it has been two years.

I thought that the extra cable was for the emergency trunk release. It is needed to open the trunk if the battery dies. I didn't explore further, but it appeared to lead in that direction.

Paul · 02-10-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim_hoyland

Thanks for the tips and info. I found a DIY on Renntech, ordered a replacement microswitch, from Suncoast and did the exchange. The front trunk light is back.

One question though: There are two cables entering the front trunk latch, one from the right-driver side-, and one lower from the left ( pass side ). The upper one from the right looks like its attached to the manual mechanism on the door sill.
What is the lowere cable about ??? Curious minds want to know

Glad to help, the lower cable is the emergency release, the other end is usually tucked in the passenger wheel well underneath the inner fender liner.