Interior Dome Light Question

[nuvolari]

I have a 00 986 and my interior light and alarm sensors are broken and not working so I picked up the pictured item at the junkyard from a 03 model. So, a couple questions:

1) Will this work for my 2000 model? I think my light is different but near as I can recall, the main housing and alarm sensors look the same but forgive me as I haven’t seen my car since Dec of 2021.

2) What’s the deal with the light? It seems to have a sensor of its own and possibly a push button.

Thanks

(Pics coming but mobile app not allowing me to post….)

[nuvolari]

Showing the wire connectors






The close up of sensor/button on the light and I mean the two small dots on the left side of the light, one in the black oval and the other in the clear plastic

[randy328]

The part number for the sensor shows all years. The part number for the light itself is different from '00 to an '03. 986-632-051-00 vs. 986-632-053-10, could be because of the orientation lights but I don't really know the difference.

The small light in the black oval is the orientation light. The small switch in the clear part is the switch for the orientation light. Press it with a pointed object such as a pen and the orientation light brightness will change.

[KevinH1990]

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/58525-dome-light-swap-97-04-type-possible.html

This thread includes information about installing a newer version of the interior light in an older car. I installed one in my 2000 and I think it is a better option. I suggest that you consider substituting an LED for the incandescent bulb while you have the assembly out.

[nuvolari]

Originally Posted by randy328

The small light in the black oval is the orientation light. The small switch in the clear part is the switch for the orientation light. Press it with a pointed object such as a pen and the orientation light brightness will change.

What is an orientation light? I read the link Kevin attached and I don't quite understand what the extra light actually does but it's good to know it's an easy wiring job to get the new one to work.

Originally Posted by KevinH1990

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/58525-dome-light-swap-97-04-type-possible.html

This thread includes information about installing a newer version of the interior light in an older car. I installed one in my 2000 and I think it is a better option. I suggest that you consider substituting an LED for the incandescent bulb while you have the assembly out.

Thanks so much for the link, that has most of the info I was looking for. But I'm surprised it's such an easy update; Porsche engineers must have been asleep when this new light was developed, otherwise they would have changed the whole wiring harness and ECU just because....well, just because that's what they usually tend to do.

Oh, another question: my alarm wasn't working properly when I bought my car and so I never really got full use of it but what do the alarm sensors do exactly? I know they detect people in the car when the alarm is on and the roof is down but is that all they do? Is one of the little black pods an infrared light and the other side a detector?

[Deserion]

The orientation light is an ambient light, casts a soft amber glow on the center dash/console in a similar manner to the light on the driver’s door pointer towards the headlight switch.

Yeah the sensor only detects movement in the interior when the top is up (or when the Red Clip is used).

[svshrader]

My question is about the dome light buttons. The one on the right I know, but the one on the left seems recessed. Like it's been pushed in too far. Is the left one used for anything?
Thanks,
Scott

2004 986 v2 S 6-speed manual, dark ocean blue/ light gray.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by svshrader

My question is about the dome light buttons. The one on the right I know, but the one on the left seems recessed. Like it's been pushed in too far. Is the left one used for anything?
Thanks,
Scott

2004 986 v2 S 6-speed manual, dark ocean blue/ light gray.

Yes, that changes the ambient light's intensity when pressed with a pen or paperclip.

[svshrader]

Originally Posted by Deserion

Yes, that changes the ambient light's intensity when pressed with a pen or paperclip.

Thank you. 🤠🇺🇸