Clear Side Markers With Clear Bulbs? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

SoCal · 02-12-2006, 08:21 AM

I'm about to replace the amber side markers with clear.

The stock amber side markers come with clear light bulbs, while the OEM clear markers come with amber light bulbs.

Is there any law (in Cal) that requires me to use the amber bulbs in the clear markers? Or is there any reason I should? If I use the clear bulbs in the clear markers, they'll glow a pale white. Anything wrong with that?

02-12-2006, 08:41 AM

When I ordered my clear side markers, I was sent amber bulbs with it. I think the safest option is to use amber bulbs.

If you got OEM Porsche parts the new part numbers should be (for a 987):

987 631 034 01
987 631 033 01

manx · 02-12-2006, 10:56 AM

This page referfs to "amber side-marker lamp"

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc25100.htm

SoCal · 02-12-2006, 03:39 PM

Thanx manx,

Your link to the California Vehicle Code says this (regarding side lights):

"25100. (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (d), every vehicle 80 inches or more in overall width shall be equipped during darkness as follows:

. . .

(2) At least one amber side-marker lamp on each side near the front and at least one red side-marker lamp on each side near the rear.

. . .

[Subdivisions b and c also apply to vehicles that are 80 inches or more in overall width.]"

According to porscheusa.com, the width of the 987 is 71 inches.

Therefore, it would appear under California law -- assuming there is no other code section that applies to vehicles less than 80 inches in overall width -- that I can use clear bulbs with clear markers, which will glow a soft white, and not be required to use any amber.

tqtran · 02-12-2006, 06:58 PM

...or you can get the silver bulbs that will give your side markers the clear look but will flash amber when turned on. Eslai posted a good thread on this a while back: http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4390

SD987 · 02-13-2006, 10:02 AM

SoCal, the following link should be of interest to you and others who live in CA. It includes a list of of illegal equipment most often cited by the CHP. Your mod, beloved by many, is unfortunately on it. It's not exactly a stealth mod either, as the cars I've seen running clear/white turn signal bulbs stick out like a sore thumb.

My favorite line from the link is the last one: "Remember - FTBC (failure to be cool) is not a crime!"

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/streetlegal.html

manx · 02-13-2006, 10:20 AM

This one seems to be the pertinent code:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc25106.htm

SoCal · 02-13-2006, 03:43 PM

Yep, this one is the screwgy:

Side, Cowl, or Fender Lamps

25106. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with lighted white or amber cowl or fender lamps on the front. Any vehicle may be equipped with not more than one amber side lamp on each side near the front, nor more than one red side lamp on each side near the rear. The light source of each such lamp shall not exceed four standard candlepower.

(b) Lamps meeting requirements established by the department for side-marker or combination clearance and side-marker lamps may be installed on the sides of vehicles at any location, but any lamp installed within 24 inches of the rear of the vehicle shall be red, and any lamp installed at any other location shall be amber.

Jeph · 02-13-2006, 06:04 PM

Aside from the legality of it, I think if you actually put a clear bulb in there, it would look tacky when lighted up. Clear and smoked sidemarkers look good, but at night with a non-amber bulb will look goofy in my opinion.

RandallNeighbour · 02-13-2006, 07:01 PM

Goofy?

Jeph · 02-13-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Goofy?

OH yeah, are we talking about the side marker light just in front of the front wheels? At night time with your parking lights on with the white lights shining through either clear or smoked plastic... that has goofiness written all over it. What, do poeple not use the word goofy anymore? I am frightfully out of touch.

RandallNeighbour · 02-14-2006, 06:26 AM

"What, do poeple not use the word goofy anymore? I am frightfully out of touch."

Just in case you've never thought to yourself, "Man, I'm getting old" you should go ahead and think this right now.

Goofy is a Disney character made popular in the 60's and 70's, although he's still around today... he's not very popular any more.

You are becoming an old man before our very eyes.

Soon, you'll be griping about clothing styles of the kids you see around the mall, their hair length, and the cost of taxes. Most music will become offensive to you, even played softly, and you'll stop going to good restaurants because they're too noisy.

Then you'll by a Panamera with a tip in it and we'll all know you're an old fart who doesn't know when to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

It's a slippery slope and you can try to fend it off, but no one can.

eslai · 02-14-2006, 12:39 PM

Yep, quite illegal unless you do what I did!

SoCal · 02-14-2006, 08:53 PM

eslai,

Which Stealth Bulbs go on the 2006 987 side marker?

The Stealth Bulb site has listings for Porsche Boxsters up through 2004. Do they work?

fab · 02-15-2006, 04:14 AM

Does anyone know where I can find clear side markers for my car? Is it diffcult to remove and exchange? Are their directions on the forum how to do this?

Fab
00 Boxster Blk/Blk

02-15-2006, 04:23 AM

Fab, go to our sponsor's site- www.986online.com. They have them.

I think they are easy to replace. I am sure someone will post directions for you.

tqtran · 02-15-2006, 04:53 AM

Fab : Just pull them from the back to forward with your had. To install just the the reverse. Takes less than 1 min.

Brucelee · 02-15-2006, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal

I'm about to replace the amber side markers with clear.

The stock amber side markers come with clear light bulbs, while the OEM clear markers come with amber light bulbs.

Is there any law (in Cal) that requires me to use the amber bulbs in the clear markers? Or is there any reason I should? If I use the clear bulbs in the clear markers, they'll glow a pale white. Anything wrong with that?

To my knowledge, you will not be able to see clear bulbs in the daylight.

Safety issue!

Brucelee · 02-15-2006, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

"What, do poeple not use the word goofy anymore? I am frightfully out of touch."

Just in case you've never thought to yourself, "Man, I'm getting old" you should go ahead and think this right now.

Goofy is a Disney character made popular in the 60's and 70's, although he's still around today... he's not very popular any more.

You are becoming an old man before our very eyes.

Soon, you'll be griping about clothing styles of the kids you see around the mall, their hair length, and the cost of taxes. Most music will become offensive to you, even played softly, and you'll stop going to good restaurants because they're too noisy.

Then you'll by a Panamera with a tip in it and we'll all know you're an old fart who doesn't know when to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

It's a slippery slope and you can try to fend it off, but no one can.

I am already there. It's not so bad.

My pet peeve is body piercing. Where I grew up, if you had this **************** in your face, you were at a distinct disadvantage at fight time (every day, after school).

eslai · 02-16-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal

eslai,

Which Stealth Bulbs go on the 2006 987 side marker?

The Stealth Bulb site has listings for Porsche Boxsters up through 2004. Do they work?

In my picture it says that I used "#194" from them. I'm pretty sure it'll be the same for your car. The US 194 bulb is the same as the euro W3W which is what my car specifies for the turn signals. I'd be surprised if the 986 used a different bulb.