Switch Wiring - Dash Lights Voltage

[ukchris]

I'm experimenting with some spare switched, can anyone tell me what voltage I need to apply where to get the dash lighs to light up on a power window switch out of a 99 Boxster? The back looks like this http://www.whiteson.org/boxster/mods/obc/spoilerswitch2.pdf if it is wired the same what would I apply where (out of the car) to get it to light up?

Thanks, Chris.

[Sandy]

I'm experimenting with some spare switched, can anyone tell me what voltage I need to apply where to get the dash lighs to light up on a power window switch out of a 99 Boxster? The back looks like this http://www.whiteson.org/boxster/mods/obc/spoilerswitch2.pdf if it is wired the same what would I apply where (out of the car) to get it to light up?

Thanks, Chris.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The power window switch contact connections are configured quite differently compared to the contacts on a 996TT spoiler switch. In addition, the dash lighting (LED) polarity requirements between pins 3 & 5 are reversed because the LEDs' anodes are connected to pin 5 and the cathodes to pin 3. To further complicate things, whatever polarity voltage you connect to pin 3 for the LED illumination (normally ground), will also appear as an output on pins 1 & 2 when the switch toggle is not depressed. I don't have a power window switch diagram made up similar to the one for the spoiler switch, but if I do create one, I'll post it, or e-mail it to you. In the meantime, perhaps Jeff or Loren can post a switch diagram from the circuit diagrams manual.

[Loren]

Power windows switches:

[ukchris]

Thank you both, so, to light up the switch I need to apply the voltage across pind 3 & 5, I tried this and confirmed it works. However, does the shared configuration with pin 4 mean that is will be impractical to use this switch for the OBC hack? I know that the OBC switch operates by grounding the connection from behind the console, but does this carry 12v? I don't really understand how or why these pins are connected in the diagram.

Chris.

[vza]

Hi All, I know this is an old thread ....I did the OBC hack using 2 window switches and everything works. I  just can't figure out how to get the night illumination to work. I jumped switched voltage(switched on when lights are on) from an adjacent switch going to pins 3 and 5(neg and hot) the lights work but then the switch loses it function. It only works when I have the hot (switched hot)to pin 5 and move my ground over from pin 4 to 3. Then 1 switch is lit and functions cant remember what the 2nd did. Can anyone help. Thanks V

Edited September 2, 2019 by vza

[rick3000]

It depends on the internals of the switch because they are not all the same, the standard hack uses a FWL switch which has the same problem with illumination. Unless you want to modify the internals of the switch, the only solution is to use a different switch.  You can look up the internal wiring of the switches in the Bentley Manual, you want one that is internally identical to the convertible top switch.  

 

I recently updated my OBC hack that used the FWL switch with a convertible top switch to allow night illumination.  You just need a small flathead screwdriver if you want to swap the top of the switches.