Luggage compartment light switch

[Dick Sparta]

I'd like to leave the luggage compartment open on my 78 SC from time to time without having to disconnect the wires to the light. Has anyone found something like an inline switch or other method of being able to turn off the light with the lid open? Thanks. Dick

[Joe Bob]

Pull the fuse, tape down the contact or install a thumb switch.

[rusnak]

Try putting a styrofoam cup or something like that under the switch plunger. That way you can turn the light off, but if you forget and slam the hood down, you won't really break anything.

[Wil Ferch]

Jeepers....Styrofoam cup?....pull connectors?.....

Here's what you can do, install a nice 0/1 labeled, on-off switch in the rear trunk panel board. Splices right in using stock connectors, no cutting, looks factory. It allows either the plunger switch to operate as normal, or it de-activates the plunger circuit.--->

[RoninLB]

i installed a switch

[porschenut]

Easiest way is just pull the light bulb out and put it back in when you're done.

[rusnak]

I like my styrofoam cup more.

[996 esquire]

Originally Posted by porschenut

Easiest way is just pull the light bulb out and put it back in when you're done.

not really, isn't the bulb behind a lens? held in by 2 screws? that all falls apart when the screws are removed?
OT: ------> *Wil* "Ferch" ....... "who" *makes* that ''tower '' +bar+ ?*?*
Bob S

[Wil Ferch]

I made the tower bar...as a modified and improved version of an earlier Rennline piece.

I am surprised at the acceptance of "kludge" fixes like this for a "Porsche".....but then again, I see broom sticks holding up lids on $400k 935's.....so it goes. Pulling a bulb is "easier" than flipping a switch?? I agree about the screws and such making it that more diffucult......

I was answering the OP's question....yes, better things can be done like installing an inline switch, and it can also be made to look factory without any serious effort.

[Dick Sparta]

I appreciate the suggestions. Will, I really like the switch and placement. I think I'll do exactly that. Thanks for the idea.

Dick

[Wil Ferch]

Easy Peesy. Go to your FLAPS...and find a switch like this...basic rocker. I like the O/1 as it does not say "on/off" in English...can be taken as "factory. Drill a hole in the cardboard trunk panel ...insert...and attach wires that normalyl pulg-into themselves. If you trace the light you will easily see the "plug" where they attach to one another. Disconnect and plug into the switch spades instead. I forgot details but maybe you need to crimp a male or female spade to the switch to allow the factory plugs to work. Totally reversible ( although I can't imagine why).

Make sure you update the Xerox copy of your factory wiring dieagram that you *do* have for *your* car, to show the change .....right ?....

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by 996 esquire

not really, isn't the bulb behind a lens? held in by 2 screws? that all falls apart when the screws are removed?

Oh, brother. No, it doesn't fall apart, and if taking 2 screws out is beyond one's ability, then by all means try one of the other kludge methods.

It's a hell of a lot easier than driving to the FLAPS, finding the switch, bringing it home, and installing it. How long does it take to remove 2 screws and pull out a light bulb? How much does it cost? How often do you need to do this?

[Wil Ferch]

Last question first...."how often do you need to do this?"....that shoud be the key question for someone thinking if this is too much trouble. The comparison is to "flipping" a switch, not going to the FLAPS to do the work ! Once you do the work, its's done, and done fairly correctly. It may be only me, but I don't consider dinking around and improving my car a "chore"....not my Porsche anyway.

It seems EVERY ( non-Porsche) car that has such a light ( think...hatchbacks) has a 2 position-switch on the light body itself, to be able to deactivate it. Fairly simple, but Porsche I guess never "got-it"...like most electrical things that they don't do very well....like forgetting to fuse stuff that should be fused.

Wanna talk about the 2-position ( vs 3-position) switch to operate the side-view mirrors? Another Porsche idiotic design that "moves" the mirror every time you accidentally brush the lever. Every other car has a middle "off" position that avoids this.

[wgirardot]

Originally Posted by Dick Sparta

I'd like to leave the luggage compartment open on my 78 SC from time to time without having to disconnect the wires to the light. Has anyone found something like an inline switch or other method of being able to turn off the light with the lid open? Thanks. Dick

I like my battery quick disconnect at battery

[Wil Ferch]

Fine...sure this works, but then.....

no clock, needs to be reset later ... and you later need to also reset the stations on your radio..... why are we making this difficult?

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Pull the fuse, tape down the contact or install a thumb switch.

this is too difficult for you guys that put in a switch or pull a fuse/bulb?

[Joe Bob]

Nah....ignore me at yer peril.....

[rusnak]

(1) finish coffee
(2) place under trunk lid

talk about easy peasy......