Need help with Fixing new Boxster - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

RandallNeighbour · 08-31-2005, 07:00 AM

You're the man, John! I must say I truly admire your willingness to learn and fix your Porsches yourself. Here's some info on the bit you couldn't investigate concerning the 3rd light being loose (it was my very first repair on my box):

Joji, what year is your Boxster? I replaced the center lamp housing on my 1997 shortly after I bought it because a few of the tiny lamps lit up intermitently. The problem was remedied most easily by replacing it.

While swapping the old for the new, I learned that it is held in place with rubber nuts, so it feels loose even when you have new ones. But, with the top up or down, the clamshell covers it and it doesn't go anywhere.

What I am not certain of is if this kind of rubber nut attachment system is the same on your model year. My original ones were falling apart making it far more loose than normal, so I replaced those while I the lamp assembly was removed.

To make my third light installation work, I had to screw the rubber nuts into the bottom of the lamp assembly and then seat the whole thing into the holes in which the nuts reside. I could not find an easy way to install the nuts from the bottom of the metal. (If I installed mine wrong, someone please correct me and tell me how to get it right!)

Joji · 08-31-2005, 08:34 AM

"Most likely the relay or fuse. Check the fuse box (there should be a layout sheet in th cover to the fuse box) for a blown fuse first. If that's ok, replace the relay. The relay is #10 in the relay panel under the dash. The relay panel is right behind the fuse box and is not covered. The horn relay Porsche part number is 141 951 253 B. It's cheap, about $15 at a dealer or $7 at Radio Shack. One of those two should take care of the problem. Btw, I ran into one other person who's PO removed the fuse. When they put it back in, the horn just kept blowing by itself. Just an FYI in case it happens to you. She replaced the relay and it was fine"

I just loooked inside the fuse box. The fuse for the horn was missing. I am going to go out and get a new one. I have a feeling though when I put it in the horn will go on without stopping.

Just so I under stand and not electrocute myself. Before I put the fuse in I have to remove the negative battery terminal. How do I do this. is it a clip or something that snaps in . Or do I have to unscrew something. I don't want to get hurt. Do I have to do this just to pop a new fuse in?

PA986S · 08-31-2005, 09:25 AM

I have never heard of disconnecting the battery for a fuse swap or check...I also have never done it and never had a problem. I even built my own street rod doing the wiring from the ground up although there is no computer in it.

Is this something specific to Porsche or have I been doing it wrong for all these years? I was told to disconnect when I swapped the ash try holder with the cubby since I had to disconnect the switches...I didn't, and had no problems.

Does the radio have to be reset or code entered if this done?

By the way there is only 12 volts...I wouldn't worry too much about electrocution.

deliriousga · 08-31-2005, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA986S

Does the radio have to be reset or code entered if this done?

Thanks for the reminder. You do have to enter the radio code after you disconnect the battery. If you don't have it, go to your local dealership and they can give you the code beforehand so you don't have to do without the stereo until you can get the code. Most dealers won't charge you for the code lookup.

Joji · 08-31-2005, 10:35 AM

Cool but if I disconnect the battery won't that erase the computer and my keys won't work or the car won't drive correctly.
thanks

deliriousga · 08-31-2005, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joji

Cool but if I disconnect the battery won't that erase the computer and my keys won't work or the car won't drive correctly.
thanks

Nope. I've disconnected mine several times and never had a problem with the keys not working. That info is stored on "hard" memory so you have to purposefully erase or change the info. The radio requires its' code because it cannot tell if it is just unplugged or stolen. Since it can't tell, it always requires the code to be able to use it.

Joji · 09-01-2005, 08:53 PM

All right I finally bought anew fuse for my car horn. I put the fuse where the old one was missing and soon as I put the fuse in the Horn came on and di not shut off for 3 seconds. Then I saw a spark come from the new fuse.
Bye bye Bye new fuse. It burned out the new fuse.

Does anyone know what one cause the horn to stay on straight and also blow the fuse. Is it the Relay or something else.

I appreciate your help. It is going to cost $200 to fix. Maybe there is work around.
thanks

deliriousga · 08-31-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joji

Just so I under stand and not electrocute myself. Before I put the fuse in I have to remove the negative battery terminal. How do I do this. is it a clip or something that snaps in . Or do I have to unscrew something. I don't want to get hurt. Do I have to do this just to pop a new fuse in?

It's not for your safety, it's for your computer's safety. It can cause power surges in your system when you plug in fuses or relays, especially in something like the horn that's on when the key is out. Since the computer costs a fortune to replace, and I've seen people with the 928 who have blown the computer several different ways because the battery was connected, I won't replace a fuse or relay without disconnecting the battery and I won't jump start the car with anything but a jumpstart battery pack.