I just couldn't stand it anymore. I never understood why Porsche decided to delete the shifter light on the console. Moving it to the pod is fine but why was it necessary to take it out of the console.

I had some LED's from www.superbrightleds.com left over after my interior light conversion. I soldered cables directly onto the LED and insulated with electrical tape. I removed a little bit of the insulating foam inside the shifter and connected the bulb to the cigarette light.

Removal of the shifter gate is a bit tricky and I would recommend to refer to the workshop manual (37-101/102). Conversion took about 45 minutes, time well spend (from my point of view).

 

I think they got fed-up with the bloody things breaking and requiring a pod removal

 

Nice!

I'm planning to illuminate mine as well, but will use one of those electro-lume strips instead. Should make for a relatively easy install.

 

Electro-lume strips are an option too. Just be aware that the small triangular shaped indicator that moves with the shifter won't be illuminated.

 

How about some LEDs that you can dim with the other dash lights?

 

The clock doesn't dim either, never bothered me.

 

FYI:

928 Specalists sells a kit with a bracket for this. I've since removed the whole thing, sold it, and put on a leather boot, but I recall the price was reasonable...like $15-20 for the whole thing.

 

Ya, it was great engineering to move the indicator from where you had to dis-assemble the center console to get at a bulb, and move it to where you have to dis-assemble the binacle, remove the instrument cluster, remove all the guage needles, remove the tachometer, and then take a hot soldering iron to the delicate, mostly plastic, instrument chassis, to replace light bulbs that are all but impossible to find replacements for.

Fak!!

 

I tried but was unable to find the kit at 928 Specialists. Can anybody supply the order number please?

Harald

 

Nice job Shock!

I never did see your interior lights at Third Coast. You got any pics?

 

Note - YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE SHIFT PLATE. Just remove the driver side carpeted side panel to get underside access to the shift indicator area. There is enough finger room the position a light under the indicator.

If you decide you need to remove the shift plate to do a better job, you can get to the levers that hold it down from the UNDERSIDE - no need to do the procedure in the WSM.

I did this, and I think I hooked it into the clock - I believe the clock dims on my 89. Anyway, I found a dimming light source somewhere nearby. I did this with a "grain of rice" LED before the newer brighter ones were available. So, thanks for the upgrade idea, Schocki!

 

Hmm, why not? Filling that space with light from the strip should produce the same effect as filling it from an LED bulb, no?

 

I was thinkin' the same thing, Bill.

 

Chuck,
I have to get the tripod out tonight and will take some pictures for you in the dark

 

Chuck,
Here are some pictures...

BTW guys you are right. The clock light dims, but the LED in the shifter stays at the same illumination level regardles what I do.