Rear Porsche logo reflector...

[Rick Lee]

Re: my '87 Carrera I was told the rear reflector ("PORSCHE" under the decklid) does not light up. While replacing some rubber there with the reflector removed, I noticed bulbs and plugs in it, but no wires. I always like my cars to be as visible as possible at night and would like to hook up these lights. Where would I find the connections for installing the plug wires and would I need additional fuses or relays? Thanks.

[Britwrench]

The lights are for the European rear fog lamps. You would need the harness and bulb holders to make it work. I think, but am not sure, that the bulb holders are the same as the 964 rear light bulb holders. The harness is easy to make.

[AirCooledExcellence]

Sounds like you should have a later model reflector without the PORSCHE logo, these have the rear fog lights built in?

[Rick Lee]

I think the "PORSCHE" logo through 1986 was black. Thereafter it was clear. I've seen others in front of me at night and theirs were not lit up. But the assembly has bulbs and plugs in it. So I would assume it was intended to be lit.

[Saffs]

Yep, Euro rear fog lights. These are mandatory in Europe. Many cars have had them fitted for a long time - like since '75 or earlier. In the UK they are mandatory on the car after '81, I think. They are the same intensity as brake lights and are for use in very dense fog only. However, in the UK, on Motorways, a bit of drizzle and some people have them on. It's illegal to use them like that. They are really dangerous because they make the people behind become used to the intensity of the brake light-like light, then when someone brakes, they don't distinguish it and run in the back of the car in front with the rear fogs on - this going 70 - 80 mph on the Motorway. It's been a causal factor in a many accidents, I believe. Plus, in the dark, they are really blinding.
So, don't use them unless it's really foggy - that's what they are for. You have rear lights anyhow, so more aren't needed, really.
I notice some Euro cars here, in the US, have rear fogs, like Volvos, etc.

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'75 911S Targa
'81 BMW Alpina C1 2.3

[rstoll]

could it be used as a third brake light??

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[Britwrench]

yes, well, a third and fourth brake light really..