Both Reverse Lights Not Working on '07 987.1 5 speed

Tested both sockets and they're not getting voltage. I've not found very much information on the subject. I called my local dealership and the manager there couldn't give me an accurate estimate because he's never seen a 987 have their reverse lights go. I bought the car last week, and unfortunately even after a PPI, the fact the reverse lights don't work was somehow missed. So I have no idea how long they've been that way. I have found this one thread to go off of: https://www.planet-9.com/threads/reverse-lights-not-working.182281/ And this one that is somewhat similar, although his were staying on, and is a six speed: https://********.com/forums/987-forum/797437-cayman-reverse-lamps-stay-on.html The car does have an aftermarket head unit, but it doesn't have a reverse camera, and I haven't found any indication of splicing into the reverse light at the light fixtures like what seems to be the norm. I happen to have the entire interior apart at the moment to install new shift cables and a new shifter, and I don't see this wiring that is mentioned in the first post under the driver's seat that the head unit might be spliced into. I also don't have any light in the dash indicating the reverse lights are out. I have located what I believe is the reverse switch on top of the transmission (item #4): https://www.design911.com/diagrams/d/42346/0 but there is roughly 4 inches of clearance between the transmission and the bottom of the car, and I have no idea how I would be able to get at it between all the suspension and driveline components (the 6 speeds seem to have this on the side rather than the top and is much easier to get at): I have found a replacement reverse switch (part# 012919823F) and isn't very expensive, but I don't see a way of getting at it without dropping the transmission or at least taking out the axles and/or parts of the suspension. I can't currently drive the car until I get state inspection, which requires working backup lights. The backup lights seem to utilize the same fuse as the rest of the taillight fixture, so that doesn't seem to be the problem: Porsche Cayman 987 (2006 - 2013) – Fuses Box Diagram and Amperages List 2006-2013 Porsche Cayman Fuses Box Diagram and Amperages List This fuse box information is ONLY for the following Porsche models and years: – 2005 to 2013 Porsche 987c Cayman and Cayman S – years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Fuse Box Location The fuse box in the... www.stuttcars.com So that all being said, I'm pretty lost, and any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Worst case scenario, you'll have to run a fresh wire from the transmission (or shifter) to the rear. But you've already got the interior out, so the hard work has been done

So you aren't sure if they worked (or didn't work) during the PPI? I'd expect that to be part of a basic safety inspection. It isn't clear to me if you've already replaced the shift cables or shifter. If you've messed with them, it is possible that reverse isn't being fully engaged. Before you start tearing into the transmission check out that. Maybe disconnect the cables at the shifter and manually manipulate them. Sorry I don't know on a 5 speed which cables need to be where to engage reverse but you can probably see how they move when connected to the shifter.

Still not in. I'm about to go out and start replacing them this morning. The shifter does have an insane amount of play so I'll give that a shot. Thanks.

Took a closer look under the driver's seat and I did find this little cap stuck around the black box? It is broken on the side and was just laying there free. I'm not sure where it's from. I don't see anything obviously wrong looking at the wiring going into the control panel though. Also found a car wash receipt from Ft. Lauderdale. That's cool I guess. At least it was contactless.

My wild guess, but that looks like a cap or cover to a pack of mints or gum the more I look at it, but it doesn’t appear to be anything original to the car.

Sounds like you’ve ruled out the basics, good troubleshooting so far. If there’s no voltage at the sockets, the reverse switch on the trans is the likely culprit. Access is tight on the Tiptronic; some manage it with extensions or by slightly lowering the subframe. Try back-probing the switch or jumping the connector to see if lights activate. Double-check for any reverse signal splicing behind the head unit just in case. If jumping the switch powers the lights, replacing it should fix the issue. Good luck!

I don't think so. It has the same font as the part numbers on the rest of the car, the same big "P" logo on it as the control box (I'm assuming it's porsche 's proofing mark) and the same > < at the ends of the text string. But I don't see where it could possibly be from. Looks vaguely like a wiring cap .

It's the 5-speed, not a tiptronic. But yeah, I see why lowering the subframe becomes an interesting proposition. However, after removing the shift cables for my install I have found that there's at least enough room to get my camera up there better and take a closer look. So gonna do that this morning. Back-probing? Like just following the reverse wire from the lights through the car? And yeah I have the whole center console apart, so I really should yank the headunit and check to be sure, but man, getting the headunit out was giving me a hell of a time yesterday. The 4 pressure pins that hold it in are super stiff. I feel as if having 2 tiny vices would be necessary to get it out. It seems to be a slightly different design than the OEM unit.

Welp. I found the problem. Drum roll please. ....... it's not *** plugged in... Previous owner said the clutch was replaced. I have the feeling they forgot to reconnect it. I don't see what would plug in here though? There's nothing around it...

ASAP, Always Start At Power Not plugged in is such a simple fix! There's got to be the other end somewhere. Might be tucked up under something.

I found it. It was tucked in farther towards the middle of the car. I am so happy. I can't test it yet because there's too much stuff out of the car that will throw airbag lights if I reconnect the battery , but I can't imagine anything else was amiss when it's that blatant.

Glad to see you solved the problem. I'd suggest that you consider buying a subscription to the ALLDataDIY for the 987 series. The color-coded self-tracing wiring diagrams are worth the subscription price, plus you get everything else from the factory documentation.

Just goes to show that the OSI model of data exchange is a good troubleshooting guide... Always start at the lowest most physical level of the system. I had a complex computer network that had no port connections across the network one morning and after attempting to access a few of the computers involved (Lazy me... The server room was way across the building), I found eventually that the switch serving all my local computers had it's power supply fail. Essentially the same problem... None of them were plugged in. Let's hope the pins on both connectors are not too corroded.

Agreed. It’s usually the simplest things. I had a friend who was ready to pull her hair out over computer issues and had been using ‘Geek Squad’ to no avail. I suggested a simple reboot, and she called me back 10 minutes later to say that that had resolved her problem. For those unplugged connectors, I always keep a can of CRC Aerosol QD Electrical Contact Cleaner. It works wonders for these situations and I always use it when replacing bulbs in my vehicles by spraying it into the base of the socket and the pins and base of the bulb.