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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
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YOUR RESEARCH4S Tail light casualty...
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lens only
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Reported cause · Original poster
Man so I received my used replacement tail lamp from Ebay, and come to find out I failed to realize it was the LENS only...
Leading evidence: 'lens only' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'lens only' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check lights and spend the couple bucks' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion · Original poster
People check your lights and spend the couple bucks on new brackets if needed now, so you do not find yourself in my shoes.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
71 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Outcome without a verified action link
Meds didn't work and the dog started to biting at itself and the vet bill went from $20 - $30 for the meds, to a couple grand for surgery.
I thought it was strange when my left turn signal was blinking so fast but figured it was just a bulb as it has been in the past. I was very wrong once I got out and saw that I freaking lost my driver side tail light. I was just looking at Pelican Parts post last week or so ago when they had the taillight saver brackets on sale. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. The worst part is that the decklid was damaged when I am assuming the light was dangling around back there as I was blasting down the freeway.
And the rear bumper got a couple nicks too.
Sucks.
People check your lights and spend the couple bucks on new brackets if needed now, so you do not find yourself in my shoes.
That legitimately sucks, RIP left side C4S taillight where ever you are!
Serious note, not a great outcome hopefully the damage isn't bad and you get it sorted
WTF? You mean they just fall out? One would think, the mfg would put - I don't know, a NUT or CLAMP or something on the light asm to keep it on the car.
I have never seen such a thing...are you saying that fasteners where not tightened and slipped out of the slotted bracket....who worked on this last...it seems like they screwed you....or on second thought, the problem was they didn't screw you.
Real sorry ...I can imagine how upsetting it must have been particularly with the damage to your paint.
Well thanks for the heads up! I've been debating about whether or not to get a set of the light savers for a few weeks and you just made up my mind. For those inquiring, it seems to be a known issue with turbo and c4s tail lights. The plastic the screws mount through gets brittle and breaks over time. I've read the added rear end weight of the 911 causes added stress over bumps that contributes to the failure. There is a video online of a turbo losing its light as it accelerates hard off the line at a drag strip.
Cheap plastic the breaks due to vibration over time. But you may be onto something regarding the C4S/Turbo rear lights. The mount is done differently and maybe more prone to failure?
Good catch! Maybe more evidence for Charlie's claim. Wonder if they make them for the Narrow Body cars? The mount is done differently. Is it even a problem for us NB owners?
Unfortunately I don't think DEPO has a LED taillight for the two 996 wide bodies (C4S and Turbo) - different shape/size than the narrow body version. Maybe another product??
The narrow body cars have a more robust mounting and do not suffer from this. The wide body cars mounting are very different and frail, the light saver kit is a great product to keep from having to buy a complete light assembly and made for wide body only.
Thank you for writing about this, great forum for me to learn more. I just looked (C4S) and on both sides the plastic around the lower screws is cracked. Someone used some washers to help. But the Pelican tail light savers look like a required addition.
Yeah major bummer, thanks to my rennlist support group I feel my pain is understood. I found a replacement light in good condition on ebay for $250, not bad just going to be riding dirty for a few days till it comes in the mail. Thanks for putting the link up b3freak, yes it is:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...ight-Saver.htm
Sale or not it is cheaper than buying a new light and potential paint work... The deck lid is fiberglass or plastic it looks like? Now that I can see its insides... Going to be hitting up the body shop next week.
You're welcome man!
Don't beat yourself up too much. You got a beautiful car!
Looks like your C4S bit at it's own wound. Kinda reminds me of my friend's dog that had a sore. Meds didn't work and the dog started to biting at itself and the vet bill went from $20 - $30 for the meds, to a couple grand for surgery.
Best advice once you get the body shop to fix the scratches, buy some of the light savers and go out drive that thing like you stole it! Look at it this way, it's cheaper than therapy!!! hahaha
I can't take credit for the widebody/turbo observation, I read it somewhere when reading about the light fixtures cracking. To the comment earlier, the decklid on the C4S (and maybe turbo) is fiberglass. It was a cheaper manufacturing option due to lower production numbers (I believe).
Oh, and because 996 owners don't have enough to keep them up late at night worrying, here is the video I mentioned earlier:
You Tube
I will say that, more than once, I have found the mounting screws perilously loose on my C2. I now check the screws when I check the oil. Really should put some locktite on them.
Don't think our narrow bodies are immune.
I just installed mine and thank goodness i did. I knew the lights were a bit jiggly but i didnt know how bad until i took to original screws out. all mounts broken. Very glad I bought these and the install is 5 mins tops.
BTW, the prime manufacturer offers these on eBay. Listed at $69.95 BIN or make offer. I offered $60 and the offer was immediately accepted- making me wonder what this was set at as a min and what I left on the table lol.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Light-Savers...5YJCtJ&vxp=mtr
Hey, thanks for the tip, I just bought a set. I offered $55, nope. $57, nope. Only one more try allowed, so I went with $60 and that did it. So you can feel good about your purchase, looks like you got the best deal that could be had
Crap... well, I guess it is better than other things it could have been. My passenger side lower screw area completely broke. I have been hearing a small thud in the rear for a few months. Figured when I changed out the shocks/ springs/ mounts/ drop links it would go away but it didn't. I cut a thin peace of metal- drilled it to fit the screw and fit from top score to bottom. Took it for a spin (Lake Arrowhead- for so cal peeps) and no more thump. Light is secure. The other side is cracked.
I'm in the ecommerce business myself and am still absolutely amazed with the service from the manufacturer. The repair pieces that I ordered at 4PM EST Saturday afternoon on eBay were delivered Monday AM all the way from Elk Grove, CA to Cincinnati. Shipped First Class no less.
Great job seller and great job USPS!
Just ordered a set as well. FYI - any offers under $60 are a waste of time. From what I can tell, its setup to auto-decline at 58 or lower.
EDIT: within 10 minutes I've received a shipment notification as well as an email from the company with some instructions, tips and a video. Definitely impressed.
You're in Cincy as well? Are you going to the Spring PCA cruise April (edit, got the date wrong) 22nd
Here are the details and registration: http://ovrpca.org/Event.aspx?ID=212
The 5th annual scenic driving tour will explore Clermont County�s ridges and valleys on roads that will remind you why you bought a Porsche. Challenging and scenic roads will take you to the banks of the mighty Ohio River, past historic sites, to charming villages for �Walk About� time. Starting with a Coffee & Cars type morning, a Grand Departure, Driving Tour, and finishing with a Cruise In and Reception. This year your entry supports Parkinson�s Wellness and the Children�s Tumor Network. Gas it and Go with your Porsche friends for fun with cars on Saturday April 22, 2017.
Start: American Modern Insurance Group - 7000 Midland Blvd, Amelia, OH, 45102
Event site opens: 7:30am
First car out: 9am
Finish: Jungle Jim�s Paradise Pavilion - 4450 Eastgate S Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45245
Cruise in and reception: 2-5pm
Man so I received my used replacement tail lamp from Ebay, and come to find out I failed to realize it was the LENS only... No wiring harness rendering my new lens currently useless and on the hunt for a freaking harness now. I should have known
Does anyone by chance know where I can find (for a good price) or have a wiring harness for the driver side (right) tail light?? Looks like they are ranging from like $125- $200, just trying to stop the bleeding on this wound...
Wow - that sucks, crmcgregor. Have you tried LA Dismantler?
http://www.ladismantler.com
I went ahead and ordered the new parts from Pelican this morning after looking at my existing tabs.
It's my understanding the rear light enclosurer on the Turbo and C4S is different from the NB cars, but the wiring harness is the same. Of course, it would be a good idea to contact Pelican Parts or Porsche to be 100% sure. I'm sorry to hear this has caused a lot of trouble and a lot of money. Nothing is cheap when this kind of thing happens. I wasn't hoping you'd back track and find the enclosure on the side of the road. I'm sure it would have been broken, but at least you could have saved the hardness, but that could have been destroyed too. If I'm not mistaken, when you pay the *new* price for the part direct from Porsche the light is sold separate from the harness. Some manufacturers include it with the enclosure, but I think Porsche sells it totally separate.
Well shoot answered my own question. The website for new is a dead site and the new people saying it is $225 for the part, and the ebay one is not for 4s
Yeah I was pretty sure I saw the deceased tail light on the side of the freeway, but it was in a tricky spot so I didn't get around to it soon enough and when I did someone else either cleaned it up or collected the goods... And yeah when I received it with no harness I looked and found the same thing which made me feel better about my purchase, that most are sold lens only. I have my indy mechanic on the chase as well I am crossing my fingers he will manage to come through!
I installed mine yesterday, and glad I did... the taillight mounts had pretty significant stress cracks in them. As others have said, it seems that it's just a matter of time with these cars, it will happen sooner or later.
Install couldn't be easier, and nothing irreversible is done to the car so it's a no brainer in my opinion.
Make sure that you have a little clearance between the lid and Light Saver when it is closed.
My left one was a little close so I removed the light and adjusted the bracket down slightly, about the thickness of a business card.
See post 3
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ht-savers.html
During the first week of sales(12/2015?)he had a Rennlist group buy.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turb...ng-points.html
eBay also
https://www.renntech.org/forums/topi...comment-206707
Close but no casualty.
Time sure gets the better of them.
Three out of four on a 60km. garage queen
Lights look to be positioned properly and lid latches but clearance is
tight and I wouldn't want to slam or drop it.
Figured some heat cycles may soften it though more than likely the
brackets will need a tweak.
Also had three thick and one thin washer?
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
