Hi Everyone,

1988 928 S4, automatic - I got one for you, today I turned on the overhead light (the one between the sun visors) and saw a spark and it popped fuse #24, a 7.5A fuse. (I replaced the fuse and tilted the light switch (on and off) while the car was on and popped the same fuse again.

Replaced the fuse #24 again and I didnt touch the light anymore.

But, now my digital clock doesnt show anything and the lights indicating what gear (P-R-N-Dr-3-2) was selected on the speedometer don't show what gear was selected.

1) Has some fault in the overhead light popped 2 fuses? If so, which ones?

2) How hard or easy is it to remove the overhead interior light to work on it?

(BTW, its a pain in the a$$ to replace fuses, I just dont bend well anymore and my eyesite sucks, haha. Where are those darn reading glasses when you need them!)

Thanks in advance,
Joe Taylor

 

There is a short in the wire most likely at the overhad light - very common - bare wire touching metal. The light basically snaps out - be careful, they are rather cheap aplliances. Pull out the light and look for the short.

 

I had to change that bulb recently, I was able to gently pry the fixture out to replace the bulb. You will see that the cars roof is very close and it may be you are grounding out on the metal and just need to adjust the fixture.

 

Hi Ed and Ole,

Yep, popped out the light fixture and one of the pivoting hings is broken, bulb... who knows where that went. And of course, popped fuse #24 again. But I pulled all the wires our and taped up the leads so they wont touch anything.

Now, my question is:

1) Is there a newer, better replacement for the light fixture. Perhaps from another Porsche or aftermarket source? One with a switch rather than the tilt-mechanism to turn the light on and off?

2) Still dont know what the second fuse is that blew before, IE the clock not working, drive gear indicator lights are out.

Thanks,
Joe Taylor

 

I highly recommend replacing the standard bulbs with LED bulbs. The standard bulbs heat up the plastic such that it softens and buckles. Over time, that will also cause contact issues, including shorts.

I'm on my third dome light, and likely the last, since I have the LEDs now.

If you have a 90 and later car, consider replacing the bulb in the passenger foot well, above the fuse box, as well.

If you have a 91 or later model, consider replacing the bulb of the engine light as well - I have melted two of the clear housings before I upgraded.

 

Joe thats the exact same **** that happened on my 88 last week. To add to the P N R D lights being out, my side mirrors are out too. So i proceeded to remov the light fixture...snap, the housing inside broke *sighs* need some new parts now.

 

If it helps, go to 928 Internatiomal website and find the fuse/relay chart. It may be #44 but I am new to these cars as well and always learning.

 

Hi Hoops88S4,

I am sure its another fuse, not the actual lights in the console. I just have to go over the little fuse/relay diagram and start pulling fuses until I find the right one. (Unless someone knows which fuse to pull for the P-R-Dr-3-2 lights in the speedometer.)

I just ordered a replacement light fixture, Rear Reading Dome Interior Light VW Passat 98-05 Beetle, from Ebay. Per some other discussions on the 928 Forum on Rennlist. This unit is supposed to be a direct replacement for the 928 dome light and the fixture has a back so there are no terminals sticking out to touch the steel roof and ground out.

Here is what I bought for $15:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rear-...4506.m20.l1116

Hope it works.

Joe Taylor

 

Hmmm my light is at the front windshield between the visors

 

Yes Joe - that fixture is the replacement - glad you found the old rennlistthreads on it - a number of folks have swapped these in for the stock lights with no issues. As to the clock fuse, on my '78, that was on the same circuit as my rear hatch light and front hatch light. Anyway, just check the fuse diagram correct for your year.

 

Update:

I pulled down the dome light fixture, disconnected the old dome light, taped and marked the leads. Replaced 7.5A fuse #24 for the third time.

Now everything is back, side mirror positioning motors, dash gear lights P-R-N-D-3-2 and digital clock all work now. No other fuse was blown.

I will just have to wait for the replacement light, mentioned in my earlier post above, gets in and I can wire it up to finish this replacement.. sheeez.

Joe Taylor

 

Joe, if you really want a different switch mechanism, then go with the V-dub light (if the connectors are the same). But a new OEM light will keep you stock and will work fine for a long time.

The problem isn't the light design - it's 20+ year old plastic. Entropy ensures that all rubber and plastic get brittle after this long. That said, one could argue that the light should be designed so it doesn't snap in 20 years, but that's one area of over-engineering that Porsche apparently doesn't get into.

Good luck!

 

Dear GAZ,

I would go with an OEM light, but the existing light was hard to switch off and on and the exposed connectors was an oversite by the Porsche engineers. I am sure an OEM replacement would eventually have the same problems.

The VW replacement looks the same, except the frame is tan instead of black, but I can fix that with some plastic paint. Most importantly, it fits into the existing location and the electrical connections won't ground out.

Thanks,
Joe

 

Well I'd actually say its a crappy design anyway (is now and always was...from both a reliability and functional perspective).

It always was a VW parts bin selection (by Hella) anway - so replacing it with a newer, better and good looking VW part seems quite appropriate.

For the VW fixture you do need to order the wiring loom pigtails too...

Alan

 

Hi Alan,

What are the "wiring loom pigtails"? I thought there were similiar connectors to the Porsche light on the VW light.

Can you post a photo of "wiring loom pigtails" and possibly give a link to where they can be bought? Then I can buy them too, if I need them.

Thanks,
Joe