Noob here!!! 2001 Box....new to me...lots of questions

[Box7774]

Thanks for dummying it down for me..... ...sometimes I need some simple stuff to get me into the mix. Note I did hook a trickle charger up to the battery while still in the car and the battery did show as i recall 12.6. I was feeling pretty good until I checked it yesterday and again it was low....12.3. I havent had time to run your previous tests but tonight looks good to complete all of them. I will report back. I really want to get that battery cable chassis post cleaned up as well as battery terminals and such.

Question for u guys.......
my drivers side vanity mirror cover is broken off. The light is not on but is it possible that this mirror light spring is in the on position drawing current and I just dont realize it because the bulb is burnt out?

Not sure the age of the battery...it looks good and is an Interstate. Date codes dont look to be punched...will have to get my old man glasses out and look closer.

[tonythetiger]

Originally Posted by Box7774

Question for u guys.......
my drivers side vanity mirror cover is broken off. The light is not on but is it possible that this mirror light spring is in the on position drawing current and I just dont realize it because the bulb is burnt out?

Not sure the age of the battery...it looks good and is an Interstate. Date codes dont look to be punched...will have to get my old man glasses out and look closer.

light bulb is the load, so no. Burnt bulb, no path for electrons.

here is an online resource for understanding direct current and it should help you understand this and more. You will need to understand if you are hoping to trouble shoot things on your car.

Low Voltage - Electrical 101


BTW, everybody has broken vanity mirror covers, its the first "mod." I am on my 3rd used 986 and they have all been broken off.

[Box7774]

Thanks Tony. I guess I can remove the light bulb from my pass side door light that has a way of staying on longer then it should. But ultimately I will just fix the sticking door switch.....I can handle a door switch.

Man....u gave me yet another book for homework!!!! This Porsche is sending me back to school....I like Youtube University....thats more my speed.

[Box7774]

CRAP! I forgot to ask.....u left me hangin. The first mod???? Well I have to do that....what is the first mod to do with my visors? And dont make me read a book to do the fix.

[tonythetiger]

Originally Posted by Box7774

CRAP! I forgot to ask.....u left me hangin. The first mod???? Well I have to do that....what is the first mod to do with my visors? And dont make me read a book to do the fix.

It’s a joke. I meant the visor cover breaks off, apparently for everyone that has these cars, hence the first mod.
There are aftermarket replacements out there, but I don’t need or want a mirror on the visor anyway, so I’m good.


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[Box7774]

Blue and Tony.......thanks for stickin with me in my first weeks of trying to get a handle on this little monster.

The visor mod......funny I couldnt wait to log back on so I could get going on the mod that must be done by all Boxster owners.......so much so that its a no brainer.....all to find out that I have already finished.....mwa mwaaaaaaaa.....funny stuff.

Blue......Im jumpin in head first in about an hour....that batt is coming out and I will find the date code etc........will also clean up contacts and get the ole girl ready for round 2.

Purchased some more marker bulbs for the tail lights.....lets see if tail lights round 3 will be successful. Will also crack open the 3rd tail light tonight and replace bulbs.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Box7774

Blue and Tony.......thanks for stickin with me in my first weeks of trying to get a handle on this little monster.

The visor mod......funny I couldnt wait to log back on so I could get going on the mod that must be done by all Boxster owners.......so much so that its a no brainer.....all to find out that I have already finished.....mwa mwaaaaaaaa.....funny stuff.

Blue......Im jumpin in head first in about an hour....that batt is coming out and I will find the date code etc........will also clean up contacts and get the ole girl ready for round 2.

Purchased some more marker bulbs for the tail lights.....lets see if tail lights round 3 will be successful. Will also crack open the 3rd tail light tonight and replace bulbs.

I will outline a simple parasitic draw test for you. (At least the way I do it)
1.make sure everything is off.
key off
Radio off
dash lights off
door lights off
open frunk, remove frunk light fixture, remove light bulb. (so there is no current draw to frunk light).
remove positive battery cable from battery post.
with multi meter set to volts connect one probe to positive battery post.
connect the other probe to positive battery cable.
You should not see more then perhaps 1 tenth - 1 half volt draw
If you see more then that you have excess draw.

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Box7774

Thanks for dummying it down for me..... ...sometimes I need some simple stuff to get me into the mix. Note I did hook a trickle charger up to the battery while still in the car and the battery did show as i recall 12.6. I was feeling pretty good until I checked it yesterday and again it was low....12.3. I havent had time to run your previous tests but tonight looks good to complete all of them. I will report back. I really want to get that battery cable chassis post cleaned up as well as battery terminals and such.

Question for u guys.......
my drivers side vanity mirror cover is broken off. The light is not on but is it possible that this mirror light spring is in the on position drawing current and I just dont realize it because the bulb is burnt out?

Not sure the age of the battery...it looks good and is an Interstate. Date codes dont look to be punched...will have to get my old man glasses out and look closer.

If you hooked a trickle charger to the battery and charged it to 12.6. and then it dropped to 12.3 without driving starting or putting other types of draw on the battery I would say your battery is shot. 12.3 Volts is only a 30% charge.