AO

On my OB, I thought it was dumb to have the hood light tied to the parking light switch, but in hindsight it was pretty smart. Not sure if it started in 89 or 90, but around then Porsche just made it come on when you open the hood. The problem is that it stays on all the time. If you're showing off your engine, you have to pull the bulb which requires you to remove the light cover. I've lost 2 light covers as a result of this activity.

The other thing, is why did they route the wires on the inside 75% of the way, and then have them clipped in place the last 25%? Seems kind of silly to me, ugly too.

So I fixed it today.

I picked up a small rocker switch and ran a few wires and voila! I did have to drill a small hole near the light and expand the original hole for the switch, but I like it.

Pics: 1. Original 2. New switch - on 3. New switch - off.

atb

That is sweet Andrew. Is the light itself stock? Do you know if there is an aftermarket light available that has the switch at the bulb?

Nice.

69gaugeman

drill slippy a little....

AO

That's the stock light. Not sure if there a light that would work with a switch, but I just had to get rid of the wiring on the outside, so putting a switch seemed the best solution.

AO

... should have heard the words that followed that...

chaadster

Simple. Nice. I like.

So it will still turn off when you close the hood, right? I mean, you don't have to remember to turn it off, do you, because that would be bad.

AO

Yes... It's basically an override off switch.

RyanPerrella

Nice work

IcemanG17

Andrew
Very sharp....cleaner than stock & more useful!

AO

Just realized I forgot to post a full pic. Here you go.

morganabowen

Great improvement

Shark Attack

Andrew, where is that at? what do you do? is that your place? is that a Moran or tr3 maybe in the back ground?

danglerb

Very nice looking. Having the LED in the switch ON when the switch itself is OFF, might be handy at night.

LED light looks like so much fun, its hard to resist putting them all over the place, like under the intake, or blinking by functions.

928ntslow

Not quite...it's just an interruption switch for the light. The circuit is still charged. There are other components that are tied into the actual hood interruption switch which are incredibly important to keep as is.

Andrew, you could have just gotten another bulb...not sure why you have had problems to begin with though. I have left my hood open for hours and hours and never melted/fried/burnt anything nor ran down the battery. I am sure others will add to this testimony. I think it would take a few days before it would even affect the battery as the draw is so low. I suspect you had an issue that you hadn't addressed before you drilled into your hood.

As previously mentioned, a little forward thinking may have helped you to avoid "no turning back" alterations to a perfectly good hood. There are other forms of lighting that can be switched at the light source itself. I have even seen several underhood mods already, of switched spot lighting to enhance the "jewel in the case." LED also.

I guess if you decide to go a different route in the future, you could always go buy a rubber plug. In the meantime, as along as this mod serves your intended purpose, then mission accomplished and a job well done!

Mike Frye

Andrew,

I'm definitely going to copy this idea. My setup doesn't work at all, so I need to do something but now stock isn't going to be enough. I'm thinking dual spots now, so that I can light up the entire engine bay, but with a switch like you've got snaked through the hood channels instead of exposed.

Nice idea and nice work.

BTW- I have a few gears to offer up to the shrine- Almighty Porsche god, let me have many miles of uninterrupted BWAAAH.