front running / parking lights brighter?

[wwjd]

[tried search]

2002 Boxster

So I notice a super weak light on the first click of headlights. Assuming those are running lights or parking whatever it's called this week. Is there a BRIGHTER bulb I can drop right in? I mean, those things are DIM. Or maybe mine is brokeded.

[1PorscheBoxster986]

You can use LED bulbs if you need the parking lights to be brighter. It uses the same bulb as the side markers / door courtesy lights. If you want to test to see if the bulbs are getting dimmer, use the side marker bulbs as test bulbs.

[piper6909]

The first click is for the park lamps, or marker lights, not the headlights. Which ones are dim? Fronts, backs or both?

[wwjd]

Yes the front "marker" lights. I would prefer to them light much brighter, kind of like day running lights. Seems like most use a row of LEDs in teh front vents for running lights instead... can those marker lights handle higher wattage and be more useful in the day? maybe I should just get LED row installed instead?

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by wwjd

Yes the front "marker" lights. I would prefer to them light much brighter, kind of like day running lights. Seems like most use a row of LEDs in teh front vents for running lights instead... can those marker lights handle higher wattage and be more useful in the day? maybe I should just get LED row installed instead?

OK, so if I understand correctly, they work as they should but you just want them to be brighter?

Are your lenses clear or amber? If they're amber you'd have a hard time making them look like daytime running lights, even with LEDs.

Mine came with aftermarket headlights, and the marker lights are pretty bright, like DRLs. That may be an option for you, if you want to spend that kind of money. Frankly, if mine didn't already come with them, I would have stuck with the originals. Not that I don't like them, I just couldn't justify spending almost $1k on them.

[1PorscheBoxster986]

Are you referring to the "front markers" as your turn signal lights? Let's keep it simple. The headlight unit consist of parking light, turn signal light, fog light, low beam, and high beam. I don't see why you would want the turn signal lights to be brighter but you can change those bulbs to LED if that helps. The term marker is usually refer to the side markers.

If you want DRL, you can try the mod below. It uses the fog lights as DRL.

http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/20838-drl-fog-light-hack.html

[wwjd]

I'll have to go look at them. I don't THINK they are blinkers.... arent those to the side of the headlight? This is the first click on the knob, inside the headlight lighting area - marker, parking... sounds like there is no hope. they can be seen barely at night, and day time fagetabout it. No worries. Just checking. Figured there was a 900watt LED option bulb or something to make them more effective

[1PorscheBoxster986]

The first click on the headlight should turn on the parking lights which you are referring to as marker lights. It sits on the outer lense side next to the low beam light to maximize parking. The parking lights are not meant to be very bright at all. It's used for better lighting during parking.

You can install a LED bulb that I mention to you for it to be a little brighter but don't expect it to be used as a DRL. By stock, these parking lights use a yellow halogen bulb and over time the bulbs will go dimmer due to age/usage. You can change it to cool white LED. SuperBrightLed has great selection although pricing can be better.

If you want DRL, then you should consider the options available in this forum. Check my previous post for a link.

[wwjd]

holy crap! This morning, I turned right to first click, and then remembered that knob pulls out sometimes...

pulled it out and some OTHER light came on NEXT TO the headlight - inside toward the Frunk. Really bright, more like driving lights I wish it had.
It isn't the low beam and isn't the high beam.

Its the dat driving lights I wished I always had!!!

Guess I should dust off the manual, huh?

[1PorscheBoxster986]

That would be your fog lights. Definitely read the manual more.

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by 1PorscheBoxster986

That would be your fog lights. Definitely read the manual more.

Seriously. Further, I don't think Google reaches the midwest.

[MrBen]

I can confirm it does reach the upper Midwest. My fog lights never worked until I replaced the switch I had read about them on the internet but not until I replaced the switch did I see the light

[wwjd]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Seriously. Further, I don't think Google reaches the midwest.

Ha. Bought a Boxster knowing nothing about it. Haven't looked at the manual yet. Just assumed everything would be obvious and idiot proof. Still don't understand the point of those .3 lux marker lights.... they seem completely worthless for anything.