What is this thing?

[Paulporsche]

While feeling around for the answer to the clunking noise I'm getting from my windshield wipers, this popped out from behind the dash. I'm thinking the bulb and wiring are for the fan control. but what is that black thing? Looks like it might be a connector of some kind, with a steel pin embedded back into the hood.

Can anyone tell me what this is and where it goes?
Thanks.

[911 Rod]

I think that is your ashtray light.

[pors1968]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

I think that is your ashtray light.

THAT is your ashtray light.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by pors1968

THAT is your ashtray light.

Only believe a man with a minimum 15,000 posts.

That is your ashtray light thingie.

[Missed Approach]

Hi @ Paulporsche- It's a bit of a pain to reinstall- a small set of Hemostats will make it much easier!

[AG81]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

That is your ashtray light thingie.

^
I don't think that is a thingie...... it's a whatchamacallit do-dad.

[pmax]

Any of the sages or dinosaurs here know why Porsche thought the ash tray needed a light ?

[pampadori]

Originally Posted by pmax

Any of the sages or dinosaurs here know why Porsche thought the ash tray needed a light ?

Not a sage or a dinosaur yet (40 is a few months away for me still) but I was a very enthusiastic smoker for 15 years...

Smoking in the darkness of an automobile on a cloudy pitch black night. How else would you ensure you are hitting your target when you go to stuff out your butt?

[jlex]

Also required to provide a place to short on an unfused circuit.

[Paulporsche]

Thanks everyone. Got it. Never have been a smoker.

Missed,
I don't know if I have a hemostat. I'll try some tweezers first. LOL. Maybe some compound butter will help!

[Peter Zimmermann]

A small dose of Silicone Spray, and a twist of the wrist...

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by pmax

Any of the sages or dinosaurs here know why Porsche thought the ash tray needed a light ?

I am a geezer, not a full fledged dinosaur. As a life long non smoker I can only guess that finding the ash tray at night with the low level of lighting in the 911 might be a challenge. Not that it would deter the average smoker. Most (but not all) smokers just throw the butt out the window and littered.

I have had my 911 since 1995. I don't know that I have even noticed the ash tray light in my car even works. I have certainly driven it at night. It is as useful as the outside rear view mirror defrosters. 90% of the people that have them have no idea how to turn them on, and even fewer have ever needed them. Only once in 24 years of ownership have I used the heated mirror defoggers. They are handy in a heavy frost.

[Koizumi]

I have my ashtray light mounted on the underside of tray, at an angle. The light casts onto the AC controls so I can see it at night. It also allows the storage space area underneath to be visible at nite as well. Very useful!

[pmax]

And whadda ya know, Porsche still supplies a replacement in case yours go missing.

Ashtray light for Porsche 911 - Porsche Classic