6 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHQuirky Electrical Behavior - Lights & Doors
Leading reported evidence
Replace headlight switch
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Also replaced my headlight switch which did in fact fix the fog lights, although those were the last on my list of things I wanted to address.
Leading evidence: 'Replace headlight switch' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace headlight switch' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
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.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
There's plenty of information in these forums about changing the microswitch in the inside door latch which fixes this problem.
Replace switch, plus the mechanicals would be brand new
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I bought the Volkswagen part thinking it would save me from having to remove/replace the switch, plus the mechanicals would be brand new.
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.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
Anyway, I'm doing the normal fixes for 15+ year old vehicle...it's in good shape overall, but there are some quirks I could use some help deciphering.
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.
6 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
5 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
3) - I'll chime in with just one procedure that fixed this on my car.
Hi all, new to Rennlist and to owning a 996 - just bought a 2004 911 Carrera Cab w/ Tiptronic as my first step into the Porsche world. Previously I've only had classic American muscle (have a 69 Camaro RS/SS) so this has been a fun new experience for me. Anyway, I'm doing the normal fixes for 15+ year old vehicle...it's in good shape overall, but there are some quirks I could use some help deciphering. Here goes:
1) The courtesy lights don't turn on when I open the door. They work if I put the key in the ignition and turn the lights to parking and/or full on.
2) The passenger side door safety light only works in combination of a) the key in ignition/lights on AND b) the drivers side door is also open. If I close the drivers door, the passenger door safety light turns off.
3) The passenger window will usually, but not always, come down when opening/closing the door. I haven't figured out yet if there is a pattern to this or if just random.
4) The head light switch is probably on its last leg. I can turn on the parking lights and then the full lights, but I can't pull the fog lights and have them stay on (they turn on as I'm holding the switch but it just goes back on then lights off). I also can't turn them to the left at all. I've ordered a new switch to replace it.
5) The reverse lights and passenger mirror don't work, which based on threads I've read here means I need to fix my reverse light switch. That and the head light switch are my next projects.
What I don't know is, how many of these things might be interconnected (e.g. the passenger door safety light being linked to the reverse light switch) or all they all their own issue. I've read the courtesy lights could be just it being in "dealership mode", but I wonder if because I'm having the other issues if they could be interrelated? Any thoughts/insights here would be greatly appreciated!
3) - I'll chime in with just one procedure that fixed this on my car. There's plenty of information in these forums about changing the microswitch in the inside door latch which fixes this problem. I was convinced that this would fix my car after reading many posts here. A few of the posts referred to a Volkswagen part that is a direct swap for the entire 996 latch mechanism including the microswitch. You had to trim a little plastic off the part for fitment but other than that, a direct replacement. I bought the Volkswagen part thinking it would save me from having to remove/replace the switch, plus the mechanicals would be brand new. Well, it didn't work for me. When I plugged it in, the entire lock system didn't respond including the drivers door. My next thought was to remove the microswitch and install it into the Porsche lock mechanism. That didn't work either, same problem with the window not going up/down when needed. With everything apart and no other ideas, I decided to reflow all the solder joints on the lock mechanism's circuit board. There were probably 12 or so solder joints and I was certain I was wasting my time but amazingly, that fixed the problem!
In your case it could be the switch but if not, at least you have another thing to try.
A VERY common issue with electrical gremlins is the electrical portion on the back of the ignition switch. I've had to replace mine twice in 9 years. It's tricky to access (it helps to have small hands), but overall a quick job and an inexpensive thing to try first if you are having electrical issues. Google around this site for tips on how to change it out.
Well...did the ignition switch and alas, still having the same issues. Like you said, inexpensive and not too bad (except for getting that damn air duct back on and getting in/out of the footwell!) and at least I know the switch is new. Also replaced my headlight switch which did in fact fix the fog lights, although those were the last on my list of things I wanted to address. Looks like I'll be stopping by a shop to see if they can do the "dealership mode" flash. Fingers crossed!
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