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So today I got into my car and the door open chime wouldn't shut up. Upon further examination my interior lights were out and the clock and radio too. The rear hatch release was not working as well. I looked and found a fuse was out that worked all these. I replaced it and the chime was still on but sounding sick. Later I went back out and the interior lights and clock were out again. Upon looking when I opened the hatch manually I heard the bulb in the rear light moving around. As it turned out the rear light cracked and the contacts were grounding out. I removed the light and isolated the wires for now and all is well. So don't slam your hatch!
I do think the VW lights are much better - however in my experience you cannot use the stock VW wiring pigtail for the hatch rear light (while you can for all the others). I found I needed to remove the connector from the light body and wire a new pigtail directly (soldered to the pins).
The damage probably was unrelated to gentleness with the hatch - these stock Porsche lights (actually Hella made & also used in VWs) fall apart in the roof too... same result.
Luckily my car had the same issue, otherwise the PO would not have traded it in. Glad you found it, most people fail to check the hatch light while hunting gremlins.
any newer updates as to an modern replacement for the over head interior lights.... prices are stupid for new/used stock housings
I was told that the original Hella lights can be obtained from caravan accessory suppliers for only about $5. I did confirm that, but decided to replace mine with the plastic VW units which IMO look nicer, work better and won't corrode. I then ordered the connectors and terminals (from Aliexpress I seem to recall) to convert the 928 loom ends at the lights so direct plug onto the new lights.
I went to replace my old bulbs with LEDs and three of my five interior lights just crumbled when I removed them. So, I went and replaced all five with these housings from a VW Jetta as has been suggested:
I don't think I bought these specific ones, but there are many offers for them on eBay.
It's a perfect fit, but you do have to figure out which wire goes to which and I think I had to buy some new connectors. I painted the housings flat black and installed the 41mm LED bulbs before reinstalling. They work perfectly and are definitely an upgrade over the old lights. A better tactile on/off feel and brighter light with the LEDs.
03-29-2015, 02:14 AM
Rear hatch light
