Back rear light - circuit board

[Johnny Utah]

My back rear light unit works, but is dim and triggers the warning light on the dash.  My mechanic says the circuit board on the light unit is bad and all. we need to do is replace that circuit board.  However, they can't find where to get it.  So I thought I would try this forum and see where one can find such circuit board unit.  2005 Boxster S

[JFP in PA]

I don’t believe Porsche ever offered the tail light’s internal components separately, only providing assembled lights.

 

Normally, dim running lights are a sign of a weak or corroded ground connection.

[Johnny Utah]

Thank you for your response.  The contacts look good and the lights work.  Just not the circuit board.  Was trying to avoid having buy a whole new light unit if possible.

[Loren]

2 hours ago, Johnny Utah said:

Thank you for your response.  The contacts look good and the lights work.  Just not the circuit board.  Was trying to avoid having buy a whole new light unit if possible.

 

Perhaps a salvage yard then...

[Johnny Utah]

Yes, I was just wondering if there's a parts store like Mitas Miata or Rockin Auto that services Porsche parts at a discount.

 

[JFP in PA]

8 hours ago, Johnny Utah said:

Yes, I was just wondering if there's a parts store like Mitas Miata or Rockin Auto that services Porsche parts at a discount.

 

Unfortunately, the words "Porsche" and "discount" tend to be mutually exclusive....................😵

[Jim Long]

Actually, Porsche does sell the circuit board part of the rear tail lights separately from the tail light housing. For 987 vehicles, including your 2005, the part numbers are:

 

987 631 453 02 Bulb carrier left

987 631 454 02 Bulb carrier right

 

If you search the web using these part numbers you will find a number of vendors, even Porsche dealers, happy to sell with varying discounts from dealer list prices (i.e. cheaper than walk-in prices). Ebay can also lead you to many choices for this part with a varying range of buy it now prices.

 

 

[Johnny Utah]

Wow.  Thank you.  So how do you know all this stuff?  Is there a book I can buy to do the same analysis and get the part numbers for me to purchase online or somewhere else?  I had a Miata and there was a great book along with a great after market parts place in South Carolina that had everything.  Am looking for something similar for Boxsters, but told nothing exists for the 987s and onward.  Is that true?

[Jim Long]

I lean on the official parts catalog available directly from Porsche. It is a searchable pdf and can be used to find ANY part on the car. I then use the part number and search for places to buy the parts. In many cases there are Porsche dealers offering online discounts that exceed many of the non-Porsche on-line vendors. 

Porsche Classic Genuine Parts Catalogue

WWW.PORSCHE.COM

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The fascination of Porsche is timeless. How can you tell? Because more than two thirds of all the Porsche vehicles ever built are still on the road...

 

[Loren]

1 hour ago, Jim Long said:

I lean on the official parts catalog available directly from Porsche. It is a searchable pdf and can be used to find ANY part on the car. I then use the part number and search for places to buy the parts. In many cases there are Porsche dealers offering online discounts that exceed many of the non-Porsche on-line vendors. 

Porsche Classic Genuine Parts Catalogue

WWW.PORSCHE.COM

---

The fascination of Porsche is timeless. How can you tell? Because more than two thirds of all the Porsche vehicles ever built are still on the road...

 

 

Those may or may not have the proper part numbers as they are old printouts. (The two I looked at were July of 2017).

We (RennTech.org) have access to the same up-to-date parts list the dealers/OPC have.