Engine compartment light

[Targa_whaletail]

I'm having an issue with the engine compartment light on my '84 3.2 Targa.

Finally, I had the interior light sorted, and front trunk/frunk light has always worked.

I only realised there was an engine compartment light under the wing when looking for parts, and found it wasn't working, and very rusty. So I ordered a "911 1969-89 Engine Compartment Light".

However, the 12V line seems to have a dead short to ground (I have been told), and the fault is somewhere in the loom (i.e., not in the "obvious" place where the wire goes from whale tail to body - this section is OK). No fuses blown.

I was wondering if anybody knows where the cables run to this light? There is a pin switch, but not sure if this is for the light or alarm. Do the car lights need to be turned on for it to operate?

Thanks!

[86 911 Targa]

for our '86, the lights must be on.

And, the switch is built into the light housing cover.

Gerry

[30westrob]

Their is no switch for the light. It is powered any time the left parking lights are powered. Your pin switch is for some other purpose.
Rob

[EdRogers]

Maybe the installer of the alarm took over the pin switch for an alarm sensor. And disconnected the power for the light?

[EdRogers]

I just looked at my 84. The rotating cover for the light is the switch. Hope this helps

[Missed Approach]

As others have stated, the running lights need to be on, and the cover acts as the switch. As an aside, changing to an LED bulb is also a great upgrade!

[Targa_whaletail]

Thanks all for your replies.

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

for our '86, the lights must be on.
And, the switch is built into the light housing cover.
Gerry

Originally Posted by EdRogers

I just looked at my 84. The rotating cover for the light is the switch. Hope this helps

Originally Posted by Missed Approach

As others have stated, the running lights need to be on, and the cover acts as the switch. As an aside, changing to an LED bulb is also a great upgrade!

Great - that explains where the switch is. Clever.

I had considered an LED, but wasn't sure of longevity with the heat? One I get working (fingers crossed!) I'll consider.

Originally Posted by 30westrob

Their is no switch for the light. It is powered any time the left parking lights are powered. Your pin switch is for some other purpose.
Rob

Originally Posted by EdRogers

Maybe the installer of the alarm took over the pin switch for an alarm sensor. And disconnected the power for the light?

Uh oh... as a "coincidence", I noticed the passenger (left on UK RHD car) sidelight/parking bulb T4W was out when I did a quick test last night. I ordered new incandescent white bulbs (and also some LEDs as an option for this) - but I did not join the dots. Now I wonder if I need to double check the fuses... suddenly thinking the bulb may be fine ... and the engine light change is responsible. Some more checking to do!

[Targa_whaletail]

Grrr... fuse it is. 5A shown as blown (nice red LED on classicretrofit panel - position 4 on Fuse Box II on the original Porsche fuseboard). I moved the 5A ATO across from the other sidelight on 3 and installed. BAM. It blew also. So there is a short on that circuit (mechanic was not joking).

I also noticed the radio reception is completely gone. There is a box with two short antennas on the top of the back window. Not sure where the antenna amp is located.

I'm assuming the short is actually to do with the new engine compartment light. For bonus complexity, maybe it is related to the work on the rear light that has been fixed. But seems unlikely as this is a different circuit (18 on Fuse Box 1)..?

[Targa_whaletail]

Well, the issue has been solved... a loose sidelight wire in the front light was shorting. No idea why it suddenly decided to act up. Side light and engine light now working!

Mind you, the amplified antenna is still dead so no radio reception. No idea where the power to this is..?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Targa_whaletail

Well, the issue has been solved... a loose sidelight wire in the front light was shorting. No idea why it suddenly decided to act up. Side light and engine light now working!

Mind you, the amplified antenna is still dead so no radio reception. No idea where the power to this is..?

The amplifier is powered by the +12v on the back of the radio,
when the radio is turned on.

Gerry

[Targa_whaletail]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

The amplifier is powered by the +12v on the back of the radio,
when the radio is turned on.

Gerry

The antenna amp? Any idea where this unit actually is? I'm thinking as close to the rear window as possible - sorry am being lazy before pulling off interior trim!

[86 911 Targa]

^^^^^
Here you go.

Gerry

[911obgyn]

Front window. above picture is in the frunk.

[Targa_whaletail]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

^^^^^
Here you go.

Gerry

Originally Posted by 911obgyn

Front window. above picture is in the frunk.

Thanks that's really helpful. Hinge area has been dusturbed with recent hood seal replacement leading to hood alignment issue work... Ill have a look.

Seems a very odd location for a Targa with a rear window mount box with two short antenna stubs. Maybe I have an aftermarket setup..? The logical routing for the coax one would think is from radio then around passenger side ( uk spec RHD) - and nowhere the front trunk?