C2 3rd Brake Light Help Please

LongDuckDong · 01-09-2005, 01:32 PM

I just bought a 90' C2 and the third brakelight was non-functional when I got it, so I decided to fix it..... I think someone rigged some LEDs in there or something. I called the local Porsche dealer and asked if they stocked the replacement LEDs for a 90' C2. He told me it should just be a bulb back there. I figured someone must have "modded" the LED, because it looked kinda shawdy the way it was mounted. My question is what is the circuit board for in the center of the brake light? Is that stock? I really need to remove it in order to put a new light socket back there. Any help on what it is would be greatly appreciated.

** Another dumb question for you guys. When I take my key out of the ignition, majority of the electrical still works (windshield wipers, power windows, etc). Is this normal? I have been waking up to a dead battery for the past 3 days. I went and replaced the battery hoping it was just a bad battery and not an electrical drain....again any input would be appreciated.

plain fan · 01-09-2005, 02:25 PM

Not stock; it should be a bulb.

no substitute · 01-09-2005, 04:54 PM

It sounds like the key is leaving the ignition in the partial on position. Do you have more than one key? Check to see if the ignition assembly is loose on the dash. The steering lock does wear out and could affect this, but your car isn't that old.

LongDuckDong · 01-09-2005, 05:56 PM

Thanks for the info. I went out and played with the ignition housing a little and that seemed to work, now when I take the key out all the accessoies stop. YEA!!

So more on the 3rd brake light. Is that circuit board (green thing) in the center of the 3rd brake housing stock? I doubt its for that LED light, but I don't want to tear it out if it is for something else. It looks like it has two wires that lead back into the trunk. Its got me stumped.

LongDuckDong · 01-10-2005, 08:09 AM

Anyone help with identifying what the green curcuit board thing is for?

steve911 · steve911's Garage

"When I take my key out of the ignition, majority of the electrical still works (windshield wipers, power windows, etc). Is this normal?"

Check your owner's manual. This may in fact be how the car is designed. On my '85, the electric windows still work until the drivers door is opened. Porsche designed it that way to allow you to close the windows, etc. without having to reinsert the key.

LongDuckDong · 01-10-2005, 03:24 PM

Mystery Solved on the 3rd Brake Light!!!!!

I followed the wire from the green circuit board thing, someone had wrapped it in electrical tape, so I knew it wasn't factory. I popped it out and looked underneath it and it said TERK......AHA!! I have a TERK antenna in my Explorer for my XM radio! I trimmed the base back a little and found a 4 bulb LED light at Kragens that was damn near a perfect fit into the brake light. A little trimming, soldering and glueing and it is all fixed.

Its so fun to try to figure out PO's "mods"....onto the next thing I guess.

plain fan · 01-10-2005, 05:14 PM

So is it an antenna?

LongDuckDong · 01-10-2005, 06:46 PM

Yea, it was an aftermarket antenna for the XM radio in the car. Pretty ingenius place to put it too.

plain fan · 01-10-2005, 07:02 PM

Did it work well?

LongDuckDong · 01-11-2005, 04:44 AM

Not sure which one you are asking about, but yes, the XM antenna works well located there and the LED brake light works and looks good.