[J1NX3D]

That is correct, you need to have your lights on for the bonnet/hood light to work. It works via a mercury switch which is a very clever idea.

Do you have an owners manual for your car? If not try ebay or even Porsche for new. They are full of good info like this for 944 owners. There are other features that owners often don't know about that they discover on their 944 journey like how the odo reset button works (in late 944) and the highway lighting- where when you park on the road at night you can leave your indicator on with the ignition off and it will light your front and rear lights on the side indicated for night visibility.