1998 Tail Light Issue

[dpwell]

Greeting All,

 

I believe the second bulb inward on the bottom row is considered a rear fog light. On my vehicle it only lights on the left side, always when the light switch is in parking light right/left position, key on, but only with the operator pulled outward (won't stay outward on its own). Once in a while I have observed the same bulb lit with the car running and light switch in the fog lamp position. I've never observed the same bulb on the right side light. I just replaced the light switch, I've checked both fixtures for continuity between the lamp contacts and terminals, all the bulbs are good, the same bulb on the right side will light if power is applied to its corresponding terminals. Does anyone know how it is supposed to work? The operator must be pulled outward in order to switch to the right/left parking light mode. Should it stay out on its own? All the other exterior lights controlled by the light switch seem to work fine. I'm considering simply removing both rear fog light bulbs (I don't want one lit and the other not while driving). 

Edited March 31 by dpwell

[JFP in PA]

If the switch doesn't stay pulled out, replace the switch; otherwise, the system is working correctly. 😉

[dpwell]

Thank you for your response. It should stay out in the parking light right/left position as well (all the way counterclockwise past the off position)? 

[JFP in PA]

Yes:

 

To turn the front fog lights on you pull the switch out one notch.

To turn the rear fog light on you pull the switch out two notches.

[dpwell]

BTW, Happy Easter.

 

And thank you for helping me.

 

That just taught me something. I never realized there were two out positions for the light switch. Still I assume there is not a maintained out position for the right/left parking lights and in the all the way out position at those selections, the fog lights should both be lit. I have wiring schematics so I will investigate further. I assume both rear fog lights are the same circuit (what would be the purpose of them lighting independently) and in order to make them both work, I need to remove the rear trunk moldings and trace the circuitry.   

[Loren]

Only one rear fog light - by design.

Nothing wrong with the rear fog light.

[dpwell]

Doesn't make sense to me, but if I was smart enough to be a Porsche engineer I probably wouldn't be doing what I do.

 

Thank you Loren.

 

I won't worry about it anymore.

 

Happy Easter.  

[JFP in PA]

The use of a single rear "fog/bad weather" light is a European convention; they all have them on the driver's side rear only.

[dpwell]

I sort of figured it may be a European thing after Loren's response. I live in the California Central Valley. I don't usually drive my Boxster in bad weather, but pea soup fog is not unusual and one of my biggest fears while driving in it is getting rear ended. I may try to figure out how to connect both the right and left rear fog lights together, but not now. The car has other more important issues to address first.