How to Fix Engine Compartment Light, w pics
 

Thanks to you guys all my lights work now on my new to me 86.

If anyone needs to know how to make it work again, here it is.

First up, I am a huge fan of the mini cordless dremel. With a soft brass wire brush you can attack old corrosion on wires and contacts like precision dentistry.

First things first. YOUR LIGHTS HAVE TO BE ON in order for the unit to get power.

Operation:

Once you have power, the Silver Barrel / Hood is a switch. When you rotate the Barrel a pressure wiper goes from Plastic to metal, completing the circuit and you have light.

My car had no bulb in it so I went to Porsche and got a bulb. No JOY..

Pull the black cap off the unit. It says Hella on it it’s pressure fit.

It will look gross and corroded. Remove base from car with two Phillips.

Use a flat head to remove the wires.

I tested the wires and go nothing.

Follow the wire back behind oil tank and on the side there’s a plastic holder that keeps the 3 pin connector secure. This is where the wire ( only 2 wire in a 3 Pin connector ) meets up with the rest of the circuit.

Using my Dremel, I cleaned all the pins on both sides of the wire until shiny.

Tested with the Multimeter and got 11.5V

Used same Dremel to polish and de corrode the base. Put contact cleaner over the wiper part and re installed. Success!

Just like my door light, old rubber seals and 36years stiffens these little sliding or pushing switches. That Dremel has fixed a few circuits now.

I’ll re spray the base black in the spring, for now it completes my 💡 fixing task. Only seatbelt red light to go but that’s another issue.

Hope this helps.






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Congrats !

That light and its switching mechanism is such a throwback. I'll put it on my list of projects.

Thanks for posting this, I'm sure that our members will find it helpful. If you have any other DIYs, check out the link below to post. We'll give you 10% OFF your next purchase as a thank you :)

https://www.pelicanparts.com/support/tech-submissions.htm

Thank you!

I absolutely love this forum. New 911 owner that’s kinda nutty with lots of questions. I just figure I’d return the favour as I learn stuff. There’s a seat power thread that’s 12 years old that helped me.