Avar928

Make: Early 1986 Porsche 928S 32V[/B], "bronze gold" with no side strips.

Problem: No internal lights (and digital clock) regardless of door/hatch being opened or closed. The "door open" beeping alarm is also on constantly unless it's in Park (yes, even when I'm driving, and strangely enough it gets louder when I go in reverse).

Events leading up to Problem:

I had just finished fixing the driver side door lock, the inevitable "rite of passage" for 928 owners. Disassembling the door panel, theft plate, lock motor and all that then reassembly took about 3 hours. I noticed that the connector wires to the red door light was crusted and one had broken off so my dad fixed it. However, when we reassembled the door now the lights won't go on and the car thinks the door is always open. The digital clock used to work until now, though I'm not sure if it's just coincidence. When I drive it around I hear a very weak version of the door open beeping and it never goes away.

We also had a problem with the alarm system (open the door, hit a bump, try to start the car = alarm goes off) and traced it to a broken connection with the hatch. Disconnecting the hatch alarm still disabled the car and made the door sensors "more sensitive" but after soldering the connection together and plugging it back in everything went back to normal.

Before we fixed the door, the lights would go on fine and I wouldn't hear the beeping noise.

Is it a blown fuse or relay or do we have to dive back into the door and find a short somewhere?

I also am hearing a ticking noise from the engine. I'm taking her in this week for the intake (vacuum leak or broken hose somewhere) but want to know if that ticking noise is something else.

EDIT ADD: Also, much thanks Rennlister's for the conglomerate of info. I couldn't have fixed that door without this amazing write-up https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-write-up.html

Bill Ball

Well, certainly look at fuse 24 (interior lights). Your dad may have blown that while working on the door marker light wires. It also provides power to the clock. So, that's probably it.

The door open chime going off when the door is closed would indicate that the door pin switched ground circuit has been inadvertently grounded. These are brown/white wires going to each interior light and the door pins, including that light your dad worked on. One of them is grounded. Perhaps that light is now shorted.

Randy V

Welcome to Rennlist.

Where are you located?

You indicate you are taking the car into a shop. Do they have a mechanic familiar with the 928?

Avar928

Thanks Bill, I'll check the fuse and relays and probably get some new bulbs while I'm at it. I've read quite a few of your posts and they've been very helpful!

I live in the Washington DC area. There are actually a few Porsche specialty shops known to do great work on 928s in the area. I'm taking her to one that I get recommended to the most for all the hardcore stuff, and doing whatever I can in the garage that is doable (for me at least).

Avar928

Update: Pulled and replaced some fuses, cleaned the bulb and contacts and everything came back fine.

I need to clean all the grounds and thinking of pulling the fuse panel and cleaning that up and replacing all the fuses. I'm just waiting for my shipment of Deoxit and Stabilant 22.

Thanks!

Bill Ball

Good job and good plan to clean the panel.