dome light inop

[toolmonkey]

Any help would be appreciated. Picked up a 2000 996 cabriolet with a few "bugs". slowly trying to sort them out. My trade is a dealer tech (but for a Domestic brand) so am not quite so fluent in Porsche systems.....but very fluent in understanding body/wiring/automotive systems.

 

here is the first "bug" I am dealing with

I noticed the dome lights don't work, either when the drivers door is opened....or with the rocker switch on the lights.- with the ignition off....

but..... everything seems to work normal when the ignition is in the run position. Is there a dome overide switch elsewhere?

I also noticed that when I turn the ignition off, -and open door (or not regardless)....the cluster always stays "awake"  for a while- is this normal. The radio always shuts off after about 5 seconds of turning ignition to off...but not the cluster. Do these cars have a RAP (retained accessory power?).....and does it work with a door switch? The window slight up/down works fine so I would assume all the switches in the handle/latch should be ok.

I have no wiring diagrams and could only find a 2002 owners manual; so my understanding of this system is limited.

 

On a different subject, I would also like the wiring diagram for the convertible top.....to see if I can modify it's PITA operation a bit more to how I think it should work....(without buying a SmartTop module).. is there any chance of finding schematics online? If not, I guess I could call Porsche dealer on monday and have them fax me a copy.

Does anybody know if the  inputs to the module (such as speed) are digital?....or analog ...... as is the convertible module on a canbus (if it even existed in  Porsche back then).

[Loren]

Try wiggling the headlight switch.

A bad headlight switch has been known to cause odd light issues.

[RFM]

Before going to be done useless work or made costs, check with a diagnostic/programming device the status of the control boxes, probably they sould be returned in "Vehicle Handover" modus. Sometimes they jump back into factory mode.