Door handle light?
 

Looking at a diagram of the internal lights (like the one here: Porsche Interior lights (903-04)), I was surprised to learn that I'm supposed to have door handle lights (items 9 & 10).

Were they present on a MY99 Boxster?

I'm not sure about the '99s but my '04 has them. Low-wattage amber LEDs.

I think they were introduced in 2002 or somesuch.

My 2002 has them

Pictures, please. If you can, please take a photo of them on at night and during the day. When do they come on (ignition, w/lights)?

Is this what you are talking about?
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1386270935.jpg

Looks like they started to use them in 2001+...

[QUOTE=Porsche9;375234]Is this what you are talking about?[QUOTE]

Guess so. Never seen it before.

Isn't it pretty pointless, though? I thought it would light the location of the door latch, not its front cover. All of my first-time passengers fumble for the handle (gloss black on black door).

LED lights
 

The illuminated light in Porsche9's pic is aimed to shine a dim light on the ignition switch so you can see how to put the key in it, even in total darkness. There is a either a second LED or perhaps back glow from that same LED illuminates behind the inside door handle so you can see it in the dark, also.
Most of us know where these are, so think of it as protecting your interior finish from the valet's fumbling hand full of keys in the dark.

There's two. On the driver's side, there is the one pictured to glow on the key/headlight switch. There is also one inside the door release handle recess on each side.

They are there on my 2001 and 2002 Boxster S's. My 2000 and 1999 Boxsters do not have them.

My 1999 996 C4 does.

Go figure...