bpoteat

2003 C4S. I was working up under the car today and noticed this guy just hanging there. WTF!
I have no idea what it was connected to. I looked around and didn't see any open plugs but maybe if I had a better idea what it is I might have better luck finding its mate.

This is on the passenger side just by where the shifter linkage connects to the transmission.


In this pick you can actually see a part of the shift cable and a bit more of the wire with a clip for it to go somewhere.


Oh and nothing seems to be broken. I can start and drive the car with no issues.

cds72911

Reverse light switch in the tail (nose cone) of the transmission.

DBJoe996

That is what I was going to say. I agree ^^^

808Bill

x3, I just replaced mine. Go see if you have reverse lights (I bet you don't)

bpoteat

Well dang. I won't have a chance to get back under until tomorrow but it sounds like you guys are in agreement. Thanks guys.

dan_189

Would you also not get the beep when you get into reverse? Or is that just a parkassist feature?

cds72911

I don't have a beeper in either of my 996.

This switch is a simple normally open switch that is pushed closed when the transmission is moved to reverse gear. That closes the connection and your lights come on.

For diagnostic purposes, you can jump the two terminals to see that your reverse lights illuminate (assuming all else is well: bulbs, wiring, connectors, etc.)

dan_189

The beep I get must come from the park assist

cds72911

Maybe this should be in a separate thread, but what is park assist?

dan_189

Porsche's official name for rear parking sensors

bpoteat

I forgot to update.
It was the reverse lights. Oops.

Guess I've been driving without reverse lights for a while. No idea how long because I'm never behind my car while it's backing up.

nychase

Are you guys saying that only the cars with park assist have that beep as you shift into reverse? Both of my cars have it so I haven't known any different.

For that matter, speaking of odd options, both have park assist, both are speed yellow and neither has heated seats!

cds72911

I can't state anything like that with certainty. I can offer these data points: I have two 996 coupes, a 2000 and a 2002, neither has park assist, neither beeps when in reverse.

nychase

Appreciate that.

Just to be abundantly clear. It beeps when going into reverse only, then of course when I am close to objects. It's just one beep when shifting into reverse. I thought all manual p-cars did this.

cds72911

Mine do not. Mine are both manual. Again, only two data points.