Rear cargo/interior light

[Railroadmike]

Ok 1989 944 N/A. I was having issues with the interior lights working. Got new fixture for the front (was missing when I purchased the vehicle). Now finally I have the front interior light working when either door opens or I manually turn it on. Also the cargo/ rear interior light comes on when I open with door. When I open just the rear hatch, no light. Also I can't manually turn on the rear light if just the hatch is open. I must open a door to have light from the rear interior light? Is there a switch that is suppose to turn on the rear interior light when you open the rear hatch?

[kdjones2000]

Yes, the interior lights should go on when the hatch is opened.

My guess is that the little jumper wires that connect from your hatch to the gas shocks are either broken or missing.

Look in PET or on Pelican's parts diagrams for the part numbers. They are likely a dealer only part, but someone probably has them used in the For Sale section.

Good luck, Keith

[jcommin]

Make sure your rear struts are right. The RH strut has lights up your interior lights. The contact is on top. It's a very crude but simple circuit to light up the interior lights. RH is as you are sitting in the car. The strut is the key.

[Railroadmike]

Actually The last owner had changed the Hatch Struts and the Rear Defroster does not work either?

[Gawernator]

rear defroster could be the tab came off, or the lines were scraped by a bad tint job etc... or some other wiring

[jcommin]

Clarks' Garage has a write up to test the rear defroster circuit. Since both light and defroster don't work, my first guess is either you have the wrong struts or they aren't in the correct position/location.

[CHICKS]

Just went through the exact same thing. Ended up being the wire wasn't connected to the hatch strut, and the connector on the hatch strut was corroded. (Just like everyone else said)

[Guest765]

I'm almost positive there's no switch to turn on the light just by opening the hatch, and the wires to the struts are only for the defroster

[jcommin]

The switch is in the RH strut. It is a hokey set-up but there is a metal tongue that contacts a boss on the strut shaft that completes the circuit. Will take some pictures on Wednesday.

[Railroadmike]

TY all and i would appreciate that jcommin

[Gawernator]

There's one of those metal tab connectors that comes off the passenger side rear hatch strut that is a sensor for the light when the hatch opens. Mine started being fickle a couple weeks ago and after spraying some PB blaster on the old connection, and working it on and off it works as good as new.

[CHICKS]

Originally Posted by fwayfarer

I'm almost positive there's no switch to turn on the light just by opening the hatch, and the wires to the struts are only for the defroster

Well you're wrong. Go take a look.

[Gawernator]

Yeah, it's true. The defroster has this metal tab soldered at two points, mine is halfway off and I don't even think my defroster works since the lines had to be scraped now anyways...

The blade connector is easily noticeable at the end of the RH strut.

[Guest765]

Originally Posted by CHICKS

Well you're wrong. Go take a look.

We don't need your attitude kiddo. And I did, *******.

[CHICKS]

So your hatch light comes on when you open your hatch, but you don't have the switch we all speak of?? Or does your hatch light not come on when the hatch is open and you assumed its not suppose to?? You said you looked, so how does yours work?

[jcommin]

Pics as promised





These pics are the RH strut. Pay attention to the installation. The cartridge is attached to the window. The rod extension is attached to the car. This is important because neither the defroster or light will work if the strut is install the opposite.

The first pick shows this finger protruding from the end. This finger should contact the rod when the hatch is open (it is spring loaded). This is the switch - it completes the light circuit. As you close close the hatch, the boss of the strut lifts up the finger turning off the light.




These pics are the LH strut. It looks different than the RH strut. It is mounted the same way, cartrige mounted to the window, rod to the car.

Hope this helps.

[porsche924-S]

Mine 1988 924S does not work when rear hatch open, there is a little phillip screw loose, after re-tight it's working good now .

[CHICKS]

jcommin-Thanks for the pics, and explanation.

[Railroadmike]

WOW that is a Ton of Good INFO!!!! i will look at all of this tomorrow and will post how it works out for me. Thank you Mike